Grindelia fraxinipratensis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Grindelia fraxinipratensis |
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Grindelia
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fraxinipratensis
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The Ash Meadows gumweed (Grindelia fraxinipratensis) is a special flowering plant. It belongs to the daisy family. This plant grows naturally in the southwestern United States. You can find it in the Mojave Desert areas of Nye County, Nevada, and Inyo County, California. Some of these plants grow in an important research area in Nevada.
You might see its name spelled as G. fraxino-pratensis. However, Grindelia fraxinipratensis is the correct spelling. This is according to the rules for naming plants, fungi, and algae.
Contents
About the Ash Meadows Gumweed
The Ash Meadows gumweed is a unique plant. It grows in meadows and at the edges of woodlands. This plant can live for two years (biennial) or many years (perennial).
What it Looks Like
The plant usually grows from 50 to 120 centimeters (about 20 to 47 inches) tall. It stands up straight and can be brown or reddish. It is smooth and feels a bit oily. The plant grows from a thick underground stem called a caudex. This stem sits on top of a strong, woody taproot.
Its dark green leaves can be up to 7 centimeters (about 2.8 inches) long. They are shaped like wide spearheads or are oblong. Sometimes, the leaves have small teeth near their tips. You can also see tiny resin glands on the leaves.
Flowers and Seeds
The Ash Meadows gumweed has one to four flower heads. These heads are surrounded by thick, protective leaves called phyllaries. Each flower head has about 15 yellow disc florets in the center. Around them are about 13 yellow ray florets. Each ray floret is about 4 millimeters (0.16 inches) long.
After flowering, the plant produces a fruit called an achene. This fruit has a special feathery top, or pappus. The pappus is made of two small awns, which help the seeds spread.
Where it Lives
The Ash Meadows gumweed is found in the Amargosa Valley. This valley is along the border between California and Nevada. Scientists know of only 14 to 16 places where this plant grows. Many of these spots are inside the Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge. This refuge is in the Amargosa Desert area.
Its Special Habitat
This plant grows in special soils. These soils are made of clay and are often salty (saline soil) and alkaline (alkali soil). These soils are found around warm springs in the desert valley. The main place it likes to grow is in saltgrass meadows. It is quite common in the wet parts of its habitat. However, it is rare in the drier areas.
Protecting the Ash Meadows Gumweed
The Ash Meadows gumweed is a threatened species. This means it needs protection to survive. Its home has been changed a lot over time.
Past Changes to its Home
In the past, people started peat mining in the area. This led to the draining of Carson Slough, a large wetland. After that, the land was used for farming. Big farms changed much of the Ash Meadows habitat.
Current Dangers
Today, a major threat to the plant is the lowering of the water table. This means the water supply might go too deep into the soil. If this happens, the plant's roots cannot reach the water. Other dangers include:
- Being trampled by feral horses and cattle.
- Damage from off-road vehicles.
- Competition from non-native plant species. These are plants that do not naturally belong in the area.
See also
In Spanish: Grindelia fraxinipratensis para niños
