Tobacco weed facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Atrichoseris platyphylla |
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| Atrichoseris platyphylla at Lake Mead |
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| Scientific classification | |
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Cichorieae
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Microseridinae
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| Genus: |
Atrichoseris
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| Species: |
A. platyphylla
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| Binomial name | |
| Atrichoseris platyphylla |
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Atrichoseris is a special type of plant. It belongs to the dandelion family. This plant group is also known as the daisy family. There is only one known species in the Atrichoseris group. Its scientific name is Atrichoseris platyphylla.
This unique plant has several fun common names. People call it tobacco weed, parachute plant, and gravel ghost. These names often describe how the plant looks or where it grows.
Where the Gravel Ghost Lives
The Atrichoseris platyphylla plant grows naturally in desert areas. You can find it in the southwestern United States. This includes southern California, Arizona, Nevada, and a small part of Utah. It also lives in northwestern Mexico. In Mexico, it grows in Sonora and Baja California.
These plants are well-suited for dry, sandy, or rocky places. They thrive in the hot desert climate.
What the Parachute Plant Looks Like
The Atrichoseris platyphylla starts with leaves close to the ground. These leaves form a flat circle called a basal rosette. The leaves are rounded and have cool gray-green and purple patterns.
From this base, a thin stem grows upwards. This stem looks a bit like a weed. It branches out into many smaller stems. Each stem is topped with pretty flowers. The flowers are usually white or have a soft pink color. They are also fragrant, meaning they smell nice! Each flower has many layers of petals. These petals are shaped like rectangles and have small teeth at their ends.
See also
In Spanish: Atrichoseris platyphylla para niños
