Agnorhiza reticulata facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Agnorhiza reticulata |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| (unranked): | |
| (unranked): | |
| (unranked): | |
| Order: | |
| Family: | |
| Genus: | |
| Species: |
A. reticulata
|
| Binomial name | |
| Agnorhiza reticulata (Greene) W.A.Weber
|
|
| Synonyms | |
|
Wyethia reticulata Greene |
|
The El Dorado County mule's ears (scientific name: Agnorhiza reticulata) is a very rare flowering plant. It is found only in a small part of north-central California. This plant is special because it grows in the Sierra Nevada foothills. You can find it in El Dorado, Sacramento, and Yuba Counties.
This plant often spreads using its roots (rhizomes). This means new plants grow from the parent plant, rather than from seeds. Because of this, the plants don't have much genetic diversity. This can make them less able to adapt to changes. Some groups of these plants are also at risk. This is because their natural homes are being developed.
What Does El Dorado County Mule's Ears Look Like?
The El Dorado County mule's ears is a type of plant called a perennial herb. This means it lives for more than two years. It has a stem that can grow from 40 to 70 centimeters tall. Sometimes, it can even reach 1 meter (about 3 feet) tall. The stem is usually hairy, sticky, and has glands.
Leaves and Flowers
The leaves of this plant are shaped like triangles or spears. They can grow up to 15 centimeters long. The plant usually has one large flower head. This flower head looks like a sunflower. It has up to 21 bright yellow petals, called ray florets. These petals can be up to 2.5 centimeters long.
In the middle of the flower head are many small yellow disc florets. Native bees help to pollinate these flowers. This means the bees carry pollen from one flower to another. This helps the plants make seeds.
Fruit
After the flowers are pollinated, the plant produces small fruits. These fruits are called achenes. They are only a few millimeters long. Most of the time, these fruits do not have a feathery top called a pappus.
