Grassland beggarticks facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Grassland beggarticks |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| A type of Bidens micrantha called subsp. kalealaha | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Bidens
|
| Species: |
micrantha
|
Bidens micrantha is a special flowering plant. It's often called grassland beggarticks. This plant belongs to the aster family, which includes daisies and sunflowers. In the Hawaiian Islands, where it grows naturally, it's known as kōʻokoʻolau.
Contents
About Grassland Beggarticks
This plant is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. This means it grows only there and nowhere else in the world. You can find it on the islands of Lānaʻi, Maui, and Hawaiʻi.
Where It Lives
Bidens micrantha can live in many different places. It grows on rocky cliffs and in various types of forests. These include dry forests, mesic forests (medium wet), and wet forests. It also thrives in high shrublands, which are areas with many bushes.
Different Kinds of Bidens micrantha
There are a few different types, or subspecies, of Bidens micrantha:
- B. m. ssp. micrantha (found on Maui)
- B. m. ssp. ctenophylla (found on the leeward side of Hualālai on Hawaiʻi island)
- B. m. ssp. kalealaha (found on Lānaʻi and West Maui)
While B. m. ssp. micrantha is doing well, the other two are not as common. B. m. ssp. ctenophylla is considered vulnerable, meaning it could become endangered. B. m. ssp. kalealaha is rare and is even listed as an endangered species by the government. This means it needs special protection to survive.
What It Looks Like
This plant is a shrub that grows in clumps. It can reach several feet (about a meter or more) in height. It has many flower heads that look like small sunflowers. These flowers have bright yellow petals, called ray florets.
How People Use It
In Hawaii, Bidens micrantha is sometimes grown as an ornamental plant. This means people grow it because it looks pretty. It can also be used as a groundcover, which helps protect the soil. In the past, people used this plant to make beautiful leis, which are garlands of flowers. They also brewed it into tea.
