Coast Range mule's ears facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Coast Range mule's ears |
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| Scientific classification | |
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Wyethia
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W. glabra
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| Wyethia glabra |
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Wyethia glabra, commonly called the Coast Range mule's ears, is a fascinating flowering plant. It belongs to the aster family, which is a very large group of plants. This plant is special because it grows naturally only in California.
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About the Coast Range Mule's Ears
The Coast Range mule's ears is a type of perennial herb. This means it lives for more than two years and usually comes back each growing season. It grows from a strong taproot and a thick base called a caudex. These parts help the plant survive and store energy.
The plant's stem can grow up to about 40 centimeters (about 16 inches) tall. Its surface can be smooth and hairless, or it might have some fine hairs and sticky glands.
What Does It Look Like?
The leaves of the Coast Range mule's ears are quite long. They can be up to 45 centimeters (about 18 inches) in length. Their shape is often like a spearhead (lance-shaped) or an oval.
The plant usually produces a single, large flower head. Sometimes, you might see a small cluster of two or more flower heads. Each flower head has special leaf-like structures at its base called phyllaries.
Its Flowers and Fruits
The flower heads are bright yellow. They have up to 21 long, yellow ray florets, which look like petals. Each ray floret can be up to 5 centimeters (about 2 inches) long. In the center of the head, there are many smaller yellow disc florets.
After the flowers bloom, the plant produces fruit. The fruit is a type of achene, which is a small, dry fruit that contains one seed. These achenes are over a centimeter long and have a fluffy top called a pappus. The pappus helps the seeds float away in the wind.
Where Does It Grow?
This plant is endemic to California. This means it is found nowhere else in the world naturally. It grows specifically in the North and Central Coast Ranges of California. These areas provide the perfect environment for the Coast Range mule's ears to thrive.
