Leafy raillardiopsis facts for kids

Anisocarpus scabridus, also known as the leafy raillardiopsis, is a type of flowering plant. It grows in North America and belongs to the aster family, which includes many well-known flowers like sunflowers and daisies.

Where Does Anisocarpus scabridus Grow?

This special plant is found only in the northwestern part of California. It likes to grow in rocky areas called scree slopes. These slopes are usually high up in the Coast Ranges. You can find it in counties like Humboldt, Mendocino, Trinity, Lake, Tehama, and Colusa. There are also a few small groups of these plants in the southern Cascades, specifically in northern Shasta County.

What Does Anisocarpus scabridus Look Like?

Anisocarpus scabridus is a very small plant. It usually grows to be less than 2 inches (about 5 centimeters) tall. Its leaves are a pretty blue-green color. The plant has special flower heads that contain two types of tiny flowers: ray florets and disc florets. Ray florets are like the petals you see on a daisy, while disc florets are the small flowers in the center.

How Is This Plant Unique?

Anisocarpus scabridus is quite different from the only other plant in its group, called A. madioides. For many years, scientists thought these two plants were from completely different groups. However, in the 1990s, new studies looked closely at their tiny parts and their DNA. These studies showed that Anisocarpus scabridus and A. madioides are actually very closely related. This discovery helped scientists understand more about how these plants are connected.