White sunbonnet, facts for kids

The white sunbonnet (scientific name: Chaptalia albicans) is a type of plant. It grows naturally in Mexico, Central America, and the West Indies.

This plant is known for its unique look. It is found in many places like Jamaica, Cuba, Guatemala, and Belize. You can also find it in Honduras, parts of southern Florida, and the Bahamas. It grows on islands like Hispaniola and Puerto Rico. In Mexico, it's found in states such as San Luis Potosí, Veracruz, Yucatán, Campeche, and Chiapas.

What the White Sunbonnet Looks Like

The white sunbonnet is a small plant, also called a herb. Its leaves grow in a special shape called a rosette. This means the leaves spread out in a circle, close to the ground.

Leaves and Flowers

The leaves of this plant are shaped like an ellipse. This means they are longer than they are wide, with rounded ends. The edges of the leaves can be a bit wavy or have small teeth. However, they do not have deep cuts or lobes.

When the plant flowers, it sends up stalks that can be about 15 centimeters (about 6 inches) tall. These stalks stand straight up. The flowers themselves are very tiny, only about 0.3 millimeters across. They are a type of ray flower, which means they look like small rays or petals.

Fruits and Seeds

After the flowers bloom, the plant produces fruits called Achenes. These achenes can grow up to 12 millimeters long. Each achene has a thin, thread-like "beak" attached to it. This beak is usually about half to two-thirds as long as the achene itself. Most of the time, these fruits are smooth and do not have hairs.