Buckley's goldenrod facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Buckley's goldenrod |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Solidago
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| Species: |
buckleyi
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| Synonyms | |
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Aster buckleyi (Torr. & A.Gray) Kuntze |
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Solidago buckleyi, also known as Buckley's goldenrod, is a type of goldenrod plant. It grows naturally in the central part of North America. This plant is quite rare and only found in a small area.
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About Buckley's Goldenrod
Buckley's goldenrod is a special plant because it doesn't grow everywhere. It prefers certain places, mainly in the Ozark Mountains. This plant is a type of perennial herb. This means it's a plant that lives for more than two years. It comes back to life each spring without needing to be replanted.
Where Does It Grow?
You can mostly find Buckley's goldenrod in the Ozark Mountains. These mountains are located in the states of Arkansas and Missouri. It also grows in the higher lands near where the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers meet. This area is close to southern Illinois and western Kentucky. Sometimes, a few small groups of these plants are found far away in Indiana.
Preferred Habitat
This goldenrod likes to live in open woodlands. Specifically, it prefers areas with oak trees. It needs sunlight and the right kind of soil to grow well.
What Does It Look Like?
Buckley's goldenrod can grow quite tall. It can reach up to 120 centimeters (about 48 inches) high. That's almost as tall as a young person!
Plant Structure
This plant has large, strong woody taproots. A taproot is a main root that grows straight down into the ground. It helps the plant get water and nutrients. The leaves at the bottom of the plant often dry up before the flowers bloom. The leaves higher up on the stem get smaller as they go towards the top.
Flowers
Buckley's goldenrod produces many flower heads. There can be up to 160 flower heads on one plant. These flowers are arranged in a long, branched cluster. Each flower head has two types of small flowers:
- Ray flowers: These are the petal-like flowers around the edge. There are usually 6 to 8 ray flowers per head.
- Disc flowers: These are the tiny flowers in the center. There are typically 8 to 14 disc flowers in each head.
