Fall tansyaster facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fall tansyaster |
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Machaeranthera
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M. asteroides
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| Machaeranthera asteroides (Torr.) Greene
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The Machaeranthera asteroides, also known as the fall tansyaster, is a type of plant found in North America. It belongs to the sunflower family, which is a very large group of flowering plants.
You can find this plant growing naturally in the southwestern United States. This includes states like California, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah. It also grows in northern Mexico, in areas like Chihuahua, Sonora, and Baja California.
What the Fall Tansyaster Looks Like
The fall tansyaster is an herb plant. This means it has soft stems, not woody ones like a tree. It can be a biennial plant, which means it lives for two years. In its first year, it grows leaves, and in its second year, it flowers and then dies. It can also be a perennial plant, which means it lives for more than two years and often flowers every year.
This plant usually grows in a clump with several stems coming from the ground. It has a strong, woody taproot that grows deep into the soil. This helps it find water and nutrients.
Its Flowers
The flowers of the fall tansyaster are quite interesting. Like other plants in the sunflower family, its "flower heads" are actually made up of many tiny flowers. These are called florets.
- Ray florets: These are the outer petals that look like rays coming from the center. They can be white or purple. These florets are female, meaning they produce seeds.
- Disc florets: These are the tiny flowers packed tightly in the center of the flower head. They are yellow and have both male and female parts, so they can produce pollen and seeds.
Different Kinds of Fall Tansyaster
Just like there are different breeds of dogs, there are different varieties of plants. The fall tansyaster has a few recognized varieties, which are slightly different versions of the same species.
- Machaeranthera asteroides var. asteroides: This variety is found in California, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Chihuahua, and Sonora.
- Machaeranthera asteroides var. lagunensis: You can find this variety in Baja California and in the Laguna Mountains in San Diego County, California.
- Machaeranthera asteroides var. glandulosa: This variety grows in Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah.
