Achyrachaena facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Achyrachaena mollis |
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| Foliage and flower. | |
| Scientific classification | |
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| Genus: |
Achyrachaena
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| Species: |
A. mollis
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| Binomial name | |
| Achyrachaena mollis Schauer
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The plant called Achyrachaena mollis is a special kind of wild flower. It's the only species in its group, which is why it's called a "monotypic genus." People often call this plant blow-wives because of how its seeds spread.
You can find Achyrachaena mollis growing in many places. It likes hills, mountains, valleys, and grassy areas. It's common across California, from the coast all the way to the Sierra Nevada mountains. You can also find it in southern Oregon and northern Baja California, Mexico.
What is Blow-Wives Like?
Achyrachaena mollis is a pretty flower that usually grows to be about one foot (30 cm) tall. It has a strong, straight stem. At the top of the stem, there's a big, round bud. This bud opens up into a ball-shaped cluster of flowers.
The actual flowers are tiny and yellow. They are almost hidden behind the plant's special fruits. These fruits have shiny, bright white scales. These scales look like long, rectangular flower petals. They are very silky and white.
These silky white scales are important for the plant. They catch the wind, which helps the single seeds fly away. This allows the plant to spread its seeds to new places.
Gallery
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Achyrachaena mollis flower, side view
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Flower, top view
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The distinctive 'blow-wives' seed head, ready for distribution by the wind.
