Yellow ragweed facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Yellow ragweed |
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A. dissecta
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| Amauriopsis dissecta (A. Gray) Rydb.
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Amauriopsis dissecta is a type of flowering plant found in North America. It belongs to the daisy family. People often call it yellow ragweed or ragleaf bahia because of its look. This plant grows naturally in the western United States, reaching as far north as the Black Hills in South Dakota and Wyoming. You can also find it in northern Mexico, including places like Baja California and Chihuahua.
What it Looks Like
Amauriopsis dissecta is an annual or biennial herb. This means it lives for one or two years. It grows a tall, thin stem that branches out. The stem can be anywhere from 20 centimeters (about 8 inches) to over one meter (more than 3 feet) tall. Its stems are often reddish and feel a bit sticky because they have glands.
Leaves and Flowers
Most of the plant's small leaves are found near the bottom of the stem. These leaves are divided into many thin, narrow parts. The plant produces several flower heads that spread out. Each flower head has a ring of yellow petals, called ray florets, which are about half a centimeter long. In the center of each head are many tiny yellow disc florets. The flower heads are covered with hairy, sticky leaf-like parts called phyllaries.
Seeds
After the flowers bloom, the plant produces dark-colored seeds. These seeds are called achenes and are about 3 to 4 millimeters long. Sometimes, the seeds have a very small, scale-like pappus, which helps them spread.
Where it Grows
This plant is quite adaptable and can grow in different places. You can find Amauriopsis dissecta on dry mountain slopes. It also likes to grow along roadsides. This shows it can live in tough, dry conditions.
How it Was Named
The famous American botanist Asa Gray first described this plant in 1849. He named it Amauria dissecta. He found the plant in a valley between Guajuquilla and Mapimi in Chihuahua, Mexico. Later, in 1914, another botanist named Per Axel Rydberg moved the plant into a new group, or genus, called Amauriopsis. This is how it got its current scientific name, Amauriopsis dissecta.
See also
In Spanish: Amauriopsis dissecta para niños
