Bolander's mule's ears facts for kids

Bolander's mule's ears (scientific name: Agnorhiza bolanderi) is a type of flowering plant. It is found only in California, which means it is endemic there. You can find it in a specific part of the Sierra Nevada foothills. This area is about 275 kilometers long, stretching from Shasta County to Mariposa County. This plant usually grows in chaparral (a type of shrubland) and grassland areas. It prefers special serpentine soils.

What it Looks Like

Agnorhiza bolanderi is a perennial herb. This means it lives for more than two years. It grows from a thick underground part. This part includes a taproot (a main root that grows straight down) and a caudex (a short, thick stem at ground level). These underground parts help the plant survive wildfires. Wildfires are common in the chaparral areas where it lives.

Plant Features

The stem that grows above the ground can reach up to 30 centimeters (about 12 inches) tall. It feels sticky because it has small glands. The leaves are shaped like ovals and can be up to 12 centimeters long.

Flowers

The plant produces a single, bell-shaped flower. It looks a lot like a sunflower. Sometimes, this flower head is hidden among the top leaves. Each flower head has about 13 yellow ray florets. These are the petal-like parts on the outside. They can be 2 to 3 centimeters long or even more. In the center of the flower head are many small yellow disc florets.

Seeds

After the flower blooms, it produces a fruit called an achene. An achene is a small, dry fruit that contains one seed. These achenes are about 7 millimeters long. Unlike some other plants, this achene does not have a pappus. A pappus is a feathery or bristly structure that helps seeds fly in the wind.

Who it's Named After

This plant is named after Henry Nicholas Bolander. He was a German-American botanist who lived from 1831 to 1897.