Arizona gumweed facts for kids

Grindelia arizonica, also known as Arizona gumweed, is a type of flowering plant. It belongs to the daisy family, which includes many familiar flowers like sunflowers and dandelions.

This plant grows naturally in the southwestern parts of the United States and northern Mexico. You can find it in states like Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Texas, and Colorado in the U.S. In Mexico, it grows in Coahuila and Chihuahua.

What is Arizona Gumweed?

Arizona gumweed is a plant that comes back year after year. This means it is a perennial herb. It can grow to be about 70 centimeters (or 27 inches) tall.

Where Does it Grow?

You can often spot Arizona gumweed in open areas like prairies. It also likes to grow in thickets, which are areas with dense bushes and small trees. Sometimes, you'll find it along the edges of streambanks, where there is enough moisture.

What Does it Look Like?

This plant usually has many flower heads. These heads grow in groups that branch out, making the plant look full. Each flower head can have between 8 and 26 "ray flowers." These are the petal-like parts you see on the outside of a daisy.

However, some Arizona gumweed plants might not have any ray flowers at all! In the very center of each flower head, there are many tiny "disc flowers." These are small, tightly packed flowers that make up the center part of the bloom.