California sunflower facts for kids
Quick facts for kids California sunflower |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Helianthus
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| Species: |
californicus
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The Helianthus californicus, often called the California sunflower, is a type of sunflower found in North America. It grows naturally in California in the United States and Baja California in Mexico. You can find it in many different kinds of places, from open fields to hillsides.
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Discover the California Sunflower!
The California sunflower is a wild plant that comes back year after year. It's known for its tall, sprawling stems and bright yellow flowers. This plant was first officially described in 1836.
Where Does This Sunflower Live?
This sunflower is a native plant, meaning it has always grown in certain areas. Its home is in California and Baja California. It's quite adaptable, so it can live in many different environments. You might see it in dry areas, along roadsides, or in open fields.
What Does the California Sunflower Look Like?
The California sunflower is a tall plant. It can grow from tough, woody roots that spread out underground. These roots also have small underground stems called rhizomes. These rhizomes help the plant spread and grow new shoots.
Stems and Leaves
This sunflower can grow quite tall, reaching heights of one to three meters (about 3 to 10 feet) or even more! Its stems are thin and can sometimes look a bit gangly. The leaves are shaped like a spear and can be up to 20 centimeters (about 8 inches) long. Their edges can be smooth or have small teeth.
The Flower Heads
Like other sunflowers, the California sunflower has several flower heads. Each head is made up of many tiny flowers grouped together. The base of each flower head is covered in long, pointed leaves called phyllaries. These phyllaries bend backward as the flower head gets older and starts to form seeds.
The outer part of the flower head has a fringe of bright, golden yellow ray florets. These are the "petals" you usually think of on a sunflower. Each one is about two to three centimeters (0.8 to 1.2 inches) long. In the center of the flower head, you'll find many small, curly yellow and brown disc florets. These are the tiny flowers that will eventually turn into seeds. The seeds, called achenes, are small, about half a centimeter (0.2 inches) long.
