Hairy gumplant facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Hairy gumplant
Scientific classification
Genus:	Grindelia
Species:	hirsutula

Grindelia hirsutula is a type of flowering plant found in North America. It belongs to the daisy family. People often call it the hairy gumplant or hairy gumweed because of its sticky sap.

Where It Grows

Grindelia hirsutula is native to North America. You can find it all over Canada, and also in California and Oregon in the United States.

This plant can look a bit different depending on where it grows. Many local types have been given special names. However, they are all still very similar and can grow together.

What It Looks Like

The hairy gumplant is a plant that grows upright. It can be a perennial herb (meaning it lives for more than two years) or a small shrub. It can grow quite tall, sometimes up to 250 centimeters (about 8 feet). But usually, it is much shorter.

The plant is often green. However, its stems can be red or purplish-brown. The leaves might also have a yellowish or reddish color.

Flowers and Sap

This plant can produce many flower heads. These grow in groups at the top of the plant. Each flower head is about 2 to 3 centimeters (about 1 inch) wide.

The base of each head has green, cup-shaped leaves called phyllaries. These leaves look like claws and bend away from the flowers. The center of the flower head is full of many small yellow disc florets. Around these, you'll see many bright golden ray florets.

The flower heads produce a thick, white, sticky sap. This sap is especially noticeable on new flower heads. It's why the plant is called "gumplant" or "gumweed."

Varieties

One special type of this plant is Grindelia hirsutula var. maritima. It is also known as the San Francisco Gum Plant or coastal gumweed. This variety is endemic to the coastal areas of California. You can only find it in the San Francisco Bay Area.

See also

In Spanish: Grindelia hirsutula para niños