Woolly chaffhead facts for kids

The Woolly chaffhead (scientific name: Carphephorus tomentosus) is a cool plant from the North American sunflower family (which is called Asteraceae by scientists). It's a type of wild flower that grows in the southeastern United States.

This plant is found naturally in several states. You can spot it in Virginia, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. It likes to grow in sunny, open areas.

What the Woolly Chaffhead Looks Like

The Woolly chaffhead is a type of herb. This means it's a plant that does not have a woody stem like a tree or bush. It can grow quite tall, reaching up to about 80 centimeters (or 32 inches).

Its Hairy Stems

One of the most interesting things about this plant is its name, "woolly chaffhead." This comes from the fact that its stems are covered in many soft hairs. These hairs make the plant look and feel a bit like it's covered in wool!

Its Unique Flowers

The Woolly chaffhead produces special groups of flowers. These groups are called inflorescences. They usually have a flat top. Each group holds many small, purplish flower heads.

Disc Florets Only

If you look closely at the flower heads, you'll see tiny flowers inside. These are called disc florets. Unlike some other plants in the sunflower family, the Woolly chaffhead does not have ray florets. Ray florets are the petal-like flowers you see on the outside of a sunflower, like the yellow "petals." The Woolly chaffhead only has the disc florets in the center.