Eucephalus glabratus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eucephalus glabratus |
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| Conservation status | |
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Astereae
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| Genus: |
Eucephalus
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| Species: |
E. glabratus
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| Binomial name | |
| Eucephalus glabratus (Greene) Greene
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Eucephalus glabratus is a beautiful flowering plant found in North America. It belongs to the aster family, just like sunflowers and daisies! People often call it the smooth aster, smooth wayside-aster, or Siskiyou aster.
This plant is a perennial herb, which means it's a plant that lives for many years and has soft, non-woody stems. It can grow up to 60 centimeters (about 2 feet) tall. The smooth aster has special underground stems called rhizomes that help it spread. Its stems and leaves are usually very smooth, with little to no hair. Each plant typically produces 3 to 8 flower heads on each stem. These flower heads have 0 to 4 pretty violet ray florets (which look like petals) around many bright yellow disc florets (the tiny flowers in the center).
What is the Smooth Aster?
The smooth aster, Eucephalus glabratus, is known for its simple beauty. Its name "glabratus" actually means "smooth" or "hairless," which describes its leaves and stems. This plant is a great example of the diverse flowering plants found in North America.
Where Does the Smooth Aster Grow?
You can find Eucephalus glabratus growing in the mountains! It prefers elevations between 700 and 2,300 meters (about 2,300 to 7,500 feet) high. It likes to grow in open areas within oak and conifer forests. You might also spot it in chaparral areas, which are places with dense shrubs and small trees. This plant is native to the Klamath Mountains region, which stretches across southwestern Oregon and northwestern California.
Is the Smooth Aster Safe?
The smooth aster's conservation status is tracked by an organization called NatureServe. Globally, Eucephalus glabratus is considered "Apparently Secure" (G4). This means that, overall, it's not currently at high risk of disappearing. However, in California, it is ranked as "Vulnerable" (S3). This means it's a bit more at risk in California and needs careful watching. In Oregon, its status hasn't been fully assessed yet.
