Bushy goldentop facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bushy goldentop |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Euthamia
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| Species: |
leptocephala
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Euthamia leptocephala, also known as the bushy goldentop or Mississippi Valley goldentop, is a type of plant found in North America. It belongs to the daisy family, which includes many familiar flowers like sunflowers and dandelions. This plant grows naturally in the south-central United States. You can find it in the lower Mississippi Valley and along the Gulf of Mexico coast. Its range stretches from Texas all the way to west-central Georgia and as far north as southern Illinois.
About the Bushy Goldentop
The bushy goldentop is a special plant that can grow back year after year. It is known as a perennial herb or subshrub. This means it's like a small, woody plant that doesn't die completely in winter. It can grow up to 100 centimeters (about 40 inches) tall, which is roughly the height of a small child.
Leaves and Flowers
The leaves of Euthamia leptocephala are quite unique. They are long and narrow, growing up to 8 centimeters (about 3.2 inches) in length. These leaves grow one after another along the stem, rather than in pairs.
When it blooms, one plant can produce many small, yellow flower heads. These flower heads often grow in flat-topped groups, making the plant look very bushy and full of color. Each tiny flower head is made up of two kinds of small flowers:
- Ray florets: These are like the "petals" you see on a daisy. Each head has between 7 and 14 of these.
- Disc florets: These are the tiny flowers that make up the center of the flower head. There are usually 3 to 6 disc florets in each head.
Together, these small yellow flowers create a beautiful display, giving the plant its "goldentop" name.
