Pineland rayless goldenrod facts for kids

The pineland rayless goldenrod, also known as Bigelowia nudata, is a type of flowering plant. It belongs to the daisy family, which includes many well-known flowers. This plant grows naturally in the coastal areas of the southeastern United States. You can find it from eastern Louisiana all the way to North Carolina.

What it Looks Like

The pineland rayless goldenrod is a small plant. It is called a sub-shrub because it's not quite a full shrub, but it's woodier than a regular herb. It can grow up to about 70 centimeters (28 inches) tall. Often, these plants grow together in groups, forming small clumps.

Most of its leaves grow in a special circle near the ground. This circle of leaves is called a rosette. The leaves on the stems are smaller and thinner than the ones at the bottom.

Flowers

The flowers of the pineland rayless goldenrod are small and yellow. They grow in flat-topped groups. Each flower head has a few tiny flowers inside it, usually between 2 and 6. These tiny flowers are called disc florets. Unlike many daisies, this plant does not have ray florets. Ray florets are the petal-like parts you see on the outside of a sunflower or a typical daisy.

Where it Grows

This plant loves wet places! You will usually find the pineland rayless goldenrod growing in swamps and bogs. These are areas where the ground is often very wet or even covered with shallow water.

Different Kinds

There are two main types, or varieties, of Bigelowia nudata:

• Bigelowia nudata var. australis: This variety is found in the Florida Panhandle.
• Bigelowia nudata var. nudata: This is the more common variety. It grows from eastern Louisiana all the way to North Carolina.