Mount Lassen fleabane facts for kids

The Mount Lassen fleabane (Erigeron lassenianus) is a type of flowering plant. It belongs to the daisy family, which includes many well-known flowers like sunflowers and daisies. This plant is named after the Mount Lassen area where it grows.

Where Mount Lassen Fleabane Lives

The Mount Lassen fleabane is a special plant because it is endemic to a specific area. This means it only grows naturally in the high mountains of northern California. You can find it from areas near the Oregon border all the way south to parts of Mendocino County and El Dorado County.

Its Mountain Home

This plant prefers to live in the coniferous forest understory. This means it grows beneath tall evergreen trees like pines and firs. It thrives in the cooler, shadier conditions found on the forest floor.

What Mount Lassen Fleabane Looks Like

The Mount Lassen fleabane can grow in two ways. It might stand up straight, or it can spread out in low patches on the ground. It usually reaches a height of about 35 centimeters (14 inches), which is about the length of a standard ruler.

Leaves and Stems

The plant has blue-green leaves that feel a bit hairy. Many of these leaves grow in a cluster at the base of the plant. Other leaves grow along its stem. The leaves are long and straight, or sometimes shaped like a spoon. They can be between 5 and 15 centimeters (2-6 inches) long.

Flowers and Colors

At the top of the plant's few-branched stem, you'll find its inflorescence. This is a group of one to several flower heads. Each flower head is quite large, measuring 5 to 12 centimeters (2-5 inches) wide.

Center of the Flower

The middle part of each flower head is full of small, tightly packed disc florets. These tiny flowers can be golden yellow or have a pinkish-orange color.

Outer Petals

Some of the flower heads also have ray florets. These are the parts that look like petals on a daisy. They can be a lovely lavender or pinkish color, adding to the plant's beauty.