Chaetopappa pulchella facts for kids

Chaetopappa pulchella is a small and interesting plant. It is part of the sunflower family, just like the big sunflowers you might know! This special plant is found only in North America, specifically in the state of Coahuila in northern Mexico.

What is Chaetopappa pulchella?

This plant is quite small, usually growing to be less than 7 cm (about 2.8 inches) tall. Even though it's tiny, it has a strong taproot. A taproot is like a main, deep root that helps the plant find water. This deep root also helps Chaetopappa pulchella survive tough seasons. It means the plant can live for more than one year, acting as a perennial plant.

Where Does it Grow?

Chaetopappa pulchella loves to grow in dry, rocky places. You can find it at the bottom of canyons and ravines. These areas are part of the Chihuahuan Desert. The Chihuahuan Desert is a large desert region in North America. It covers parts of Mexico and the United States.

What Does it Look Like?

The flowers of Chaetopappa pulchella are very pretty. They have what are called flower heads. These flower heads are made up of two kinds of tiny flowers. The outer petals, called lavender ray florets, are a beautiful purple color. The center of the flower head is filled with small, yellow disc florets. Together, they make a lovely bloom!