Chaetopappa hersheyi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Chaetopappa hersheyi |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| (unranked): | |
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Astereae
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| Genus: |
Chaetopappa
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| Species: |
C. hersheyi
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| Binomial name | |
| Chaetopappa hersheyi S.F.Blake
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Hershey's cliff daisy (Chaetopappa hersheyi) is a special and rare plant. It belongs to the sunflower family. This small plant is found in the Guadalupe Mountains. These mountains are in western Texas and southeastern New Mexico. Many of these plants grow inside Guadalupe Mountains National Park. They are also found near Carlsbad Caverns National Park.
The plant's scientific name, hersheyi, honors Alfred Hershey. He was the person who first found this plant in 1944. Another scientist, Sidney Fay Blake, officially described it in 1946. People also call it the Guadalupe least daisy or Guadalupe lazy daisy.
What Does Hershey's Cliff Daisy Look Like?
Hershey's cliff daisy is a small plant. It usually grows to about 5 centimeters (2 inches) tall. Some can grow up to 15 centimeters (6 inches) tall. Each plant has one flower head. The stem has stiff, upward-pointing hairs. It usually has 4 to 6 leaves.
The leaves are shaped like a spoon or a spear. They have a spiny tip. They are about 1.5 to 6 millimeters long and 1 millimeter wide. The flower heads look a lot like common lawn daisies. They have white ray florets (the "petals") and yellow disk florets (the center). When they first bloom, they are light bluish. They turn white as they get older. Finally, they dry to a maroon color.
This plant is considered an herb. This means it does not have woody stems like a tree. It is a vascular plant. This means it has special tissues to carry water and nutrients. It also produces seeds and flowers. The plant makes a simple, dry fruit called an achene.
Where Does This Plant Live?
Hershey's cliff daisy loves steep limestone cliffs. It grows in forests with conifer trees. You can also find it on walls, ledges, and banks. It usually grows at high elevations. These are between 1,500 and 2,400 meters (about 4,900 to 7,900 feet) high. It is quite common in the Guadalupe Mountains.
This plant grows well in full sun or partial shade. It blooms from late spring to early fall. Most flowers appear in May. Its bright flowers attract many creatures. These include bees, butterflies, and birds.
Protecting This Rare Plant
Hershey's cliff daisy is a vulnerable species. This means it is at moderate risk of disappearing. This is because it only grows in a small area. Most of these plants grow in places that are hard for people to reach. This helps keep them safe. The main threat to the plant is people collecting them along trails. It often grows near seeps, which are places where water slowly leaks out of the ground.
