Rayless daisy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rayless daisy |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Erigeron
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| Species: |
aphanactis
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Erigeron aphanactis is a type of flowering plant. It belongs to the daisy family, which is called Asteraceae. People often call it the rayless daisy or rayless shaggy fleabane. This plant grows naturally in the western United States. You can find it mostly in the Great Basin and Colorado Plateau areas. These areas include parts of eastern California, Nevada, Utah, western Colorado, northeastern Arizona, northwestern New Mexico, southern Idaho, and eastern Oregon.
What Does the Rayless Daisy Look Like?
The rayless daisy, Erigeron aphanactis, is a short plant. It grows in clumps and lives for many years. A plant that lives for more than two years is called a perennial. Its stems and leaves are covered in stiff hairs. They also have tiny glands that produce resin, a sticky substance.
Most of the plant's narrow, fuzzy leaves grow near its base. The stems stand up straight. At the top of these stems, you'll find one or more flower heads. These heads look flat and round, almost like buttons. Each head is about 10 millimeters (0.4 inches) wide.
Understanding Its Flowers
The flower heads of the rayless daisy are special. They have many golden yellow disc florets. Disc florets are the small, tube-shaped flowers in the center of a daisy. However, this plant does not have any ray florets. Ray florets are the petal-like flowers that you see around the edge of a typical daisy. This is why it's called the "rayless" daisy!
Different Types of Rayless Daisies
There are a few different types, or varieties, of Erigeron aphanactis. These varieties are found in slightly different places:
- Erigeron aphanactis var. aphanactis - This type grows in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, and Utah.
- Erigeron aphanactis var. congestus (Greene) Cronquist - This type is found in California, Nevada, and Utah.
