Cottony goldenaster facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cottony goldenaster |
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C. gossypina
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| Binomial name | |
| Chrysopsis gossypina (Michx.) Elliott 1823 not Nutt. 1818
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Synonymy
Chrysopsis arenicola Alexander ex Small
Chrysopsis decumbens Chapm. Chrysopsis dentata Elliott Chrysopsis longii Fernald Chrysopsis trichophylla (Nutt.) Elliott Diplogon pilosum (Walter) Kuntze Diplogon trichophyllum Kuntze Diplopappus intermedius Cass. Diplopappus lanatus Cass. Diplopappus trichophyllus (Nutt.) Hook. Erigeron pilosus Walter Erigeron squarrosus Walter Heterotheca gossypina (Michx.) Shinners Heterotheca trichophylla (Nutt.) Shinners Inula gossypina Michx. Inula trichophylla Nutt. Chrysopsis cruiseana Dress, syn of subsp. cruiseana Heterotheca cruiseana (Dress) V.L.Harms, syn of subsp. cruiseana Chrysopsis gigantea Small, syn of subsp. hyssopifolia Chrysopsis hyssopifolia Nutt., syn of subsp. hyssopifolia Chrysopsis mixta Dress, syn of subsp. hyssopifolia Diplogon hyssopifolium (Nutt.) Kuntze, syn of subsp. hyssopifolia Heterotheca hyssopifolia (Nutt.) R.W.Long, syn of subsp. hyssopifolia |
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The Cottony goldenaster (Chrysopsis gossypina) is a beautiful flowering plant. It grows naturally in North America, especially in the southeastern United States. This plant is part of the large aster family, which includes many familiar flowers like daisies and sunflowers. You can find it along the Coastal Plain, from Louisiana all the way to Virginia.
What is the Cottony Goldenaster?
The Cottony goldenaster is a plant that can live for a few years. It is either a biennial plant, meaning it lives for two years, or a short-lived perennial, which means it lives for more than two years. These plants can grow quite tall, sometimes reaching up to 70 centimeters (about 2.3 feet).
How Does it Look?
Each Cottony goldenaster plant can produce many small, bright yellow flower heads. These flower heads are not just one flower. They are made up of many tiny flowers grouped together.
- Ray florets: These are the petal-like parts around the edge of the flower head. They look like rays coming out from the center.
- Disc florets: These are the tiny flowers packed tightly in the center of the flower head.
The Cottony goldenaster can grow in many different places. Sometimes, it even mixes with other similar plant species. This mixing can create new types of plants that share features from both parents.
Where Do Different Types Grow?
The Cottony goldenaster has different types, called subspecies. These subspecies are slightly different from each other and grow in specific areas.
- Chrysopsis gossypina subsp. cruiseana: This type likes sandy areas right by the coast. You can find it on coastal sand dunes in Florida and Alabama.
- Chrysopsis gossypina subsp. gossypina: This is the most common type. It grows in open areas from Florida up to Virginia.
- Chrysopsis gossypina subsp. hyssopifolia: This subspecies is found from Louisiana across to Florida.
