Dwarf coastweed facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dwarf coastweed |
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| Amblyopappus pusillus | |
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Amblyopappus
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A. pusillus
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| Amblyopappus pusillus Hook. & Arn.
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The Amblyopappus is a special group of plants. It belongs to the daisy family, which is a very large group of flowering plants. Scientists first described this plant group in 1841.
There is only one known type of plant in the Amblyopappus group. Its scientific name is Amblyopappus pusillus. People often call it the dwarf coastweed.
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Discovering the Dwarf Coastweed
The dwarf coastweed is a unique plant. It's the only species in its entire group, Amblyopappus. This means it's the only one of its kind!
Where Does Dwarf Coastweed Grow?
This plant naturally grows in a few specific places. You can find it in Baja California, which is part of Mexico. It also grows along the coast of Southern California in the United States.
But that's not all! Dwarf coastweed also lives far away on the west coast of Chile and Peru. These countries are in South America. It likes coastal areas, which is why it's called "coastweed."
What Does Dwarf Coastweed Look Like?
The Amblyopappus pusillus is an annual herb. This means it grows from a seed, flowers, produces new seeds, and then dies all within one year. It has a nice smell, like many herbs.
Stem and Leaves
The plant has a stem that stands straight up. It can grow up to 40 centimeters tall, which is about 16 inches. As the stem gets older, it changes color and turns a dark red.
Its leaves are narrow and feel a bit thick or fleshy. They grow along the stem.
Flowers and Bracts
Each small branch of the stem has a group of flowers at its top. These flowers look like small, round buds and are yellow.
Around the flowers, there are special leaf-like parts called bracts. These bracts are green, but they often have reddish edges, which makes them look interesting.
