Herrickia wasatchensis facts for kids

The Wasatch aster (scientific name: Herrickia wasatchensis) is a beautiful flowering plant found in North America. It belongs to the large and colorful aster family, which includes many well-known flowers like sunflowers and daisies. This special plant grows only in certain parts of the western United States.

Discover the Wasatch Aster

The Wasatch aster is a type of perennial herb. This means it lives for more than two years, often coming back year after year from the same root system. It can grow to be about 60 centimeters (which is about 2 feet) tall. Imagine a plant that reaches up to your knee or waist!

What Does the Wasatch Aster Look Like?

This plant is known for its pretty flowers. It produces many flower heads, usually in groups of 2 to 20 or even more. Each flower head is like a mini-bouquet!

• Ray Florets: These are the petal-like parts you see on the outside of the flower head. The Wasatch aster has 13 to 21 of these, and they can be white or a lovely pink color.
• Disc Florets: In the center of the flower head, you'll find tiny, tightly packed flowers called disc florets. The Wasatch aster has 26 to 43 of these, and they are usually bright yellow.

The plant grows from a tough, woody underground part called a caudex. This caudex helps the plant survive through different seasons and regrow each year.

Where Does the Wasatch Aster Grow?

The Wasatch aster is quite rare because it has been found in only two states in the United States: Utah and Arizona. It thrives in the specific environments found in these western states. Its name, "Wasatch aster," comes from the Wasatch Range mountains in Utah, where it was first discovered. This makes it a unique part of the local plant life in these areas.