Glue-seed facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Glue-seed
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Asterids
Order:	Asterales
Family:	Asteraceae
Subfamily:	Asteroideae
Tribe:	Senecioneae
Genus:	Blennosperma
Species:	B. nanum
Binomial name
Blennosperma nanum (Hook.) S.F.Blake
Synonyms
Chrysanthemum nanum Hook.

Blennosperma nanum is a type of plant found in California. It belongs to the daisy family, which includes many familiar flowers. People often call it glue-seed, common stickyseed, or yellow carpet because of its appearance and sticky parts.

What it Looks Like

This plant is an annual, meaning it lives for only one year. It has small, yellow flower heads. These flowers are a lighter yellow compared to many other daisy-like plants.

Around the center of the flower, there is a ring of stamens. These stamens release a sticky, white liquid. This liquid contains the plant's pollen. Even the plant's fruits are found in a sticky fluid. The name of its genus, Blennosperma, comes from Greek words. It means "slimy seed," which describes how the plant's seeds feel.

Where it Grows

This plant grows all over the lower parts of California. You can find it from Shasta County in the north to San Diego County in the south. However, it is not super common in any one place.

Blennosperma nanum often lives in special areas called vernal pool floral communities. Vernal pools are temporary ponds that fill with water in winter and spring. They then dry up in the summer. This plant is often one of the first flowers to bloom when winter turns into spring.

Types of Blennosperma nanum

There are two main types, or subspecies, of Blennosperma nanum:

• Blennosperma nanum var. robustum: This type is sometimes called Point Reyes blennosperma. It is very rare and only grows in a specific, isolated area called Point Reyes.
• Blennosperma nanum var. nanum: This type is much more common. People sometimes call it common blennosperma, yellow carpet, or meadow daisy.