Bolander's ragwort facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bolander's ragwort |
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| var. bolanderi, herbarium specimen | |
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Senecio bolanderi |
Packera bolanderi is a type of flowering plant in the aster family. It is commonly known as Bolander's ragwort or seacoast ragwort. This plant grows along the west coast of the United States. You can find it from Washington down to northern California. It likes to grow in wet forests and woodlands near the coast.
There are two slightly different types, or varieties, of this plant. They look a bit different and grow in slightly different places. Some scientists have even thought they might be separate species. For example, the variety called bolanderi has thicker leaves. It also grows further south into California. This variety prefers more open areas.
About Bolander's Ragwort
Packera bolanderi is a perennial herb. This means it lives for many years. It usually grows one to three stems. These stems can reach up to half a meter (about 20 inches) tall.
Leaves and Flowers
The leaves at the bottom of the plant can be up to 12 centimeters (about 5 inches) long. They are divided into several parts, called lobes. These leaves grow on long, thin stalks called petioles. Leaves higher up on the stem are smaller. They also have more lobes.
The plant produces several flower heads. Each flower head is surrounded by dark green, leaf-like parts called phyllaries. Inside each head, there are many small, golden yellow disc florets. These are the tiny flowers in the center. Around the edge, there are usually 8 or 13 yellow ray florets. These look like petals and are each over a centimeter long.
Seeds
After the flowers bloom, the plant produces fruit. The fruit is a small, dry seed called an achene. Each achene has a tuft of bristles on top. This tuft is called a pappus. The pappus helps the seeds float away in the wind. This way, the plant can spread its seeds to new places.
