Hesperevax caulescens facts for kids

The Hesperevax caulescens is a small flowering plant that belongs to the daisy family. It has a few interesting common names. One of them is hogwallow starfish. This name comes from its flat, star-shaped look and because it grows in muddy areas. Another name is dwarf dwarf-cudweed. This is because the three types of plants in the Hesperevax group are called dwarf-cudweeds, and this particular species is the smallest of them all. It was also once known as involucrate evax, which was its old Latin name.

What is the Hogwallow Starfish?

The hogwallow starfish is an annual plant. This means it completes its entire life cycle (from seed to flower to seed) within one year. It is a special part of the plant community found in vernal pools. These are temporary pools of water that appear in spring and then dry up.

Where Does It Live?

This plant mostly grows in California. Scientists think it might be an endemic species there. This means it naturally grows only in that specific area and nowhere else in the world. However, it is possible that it also grows a little bit into Baja California, which is just south of California. You can usually find the hogwallow starfish growing around the edges of vernal pools, especially in places that have recently dried out.

What Does It Look Like?

The hogwallow starfish has pale green leaves that are shaped like spoons. These leaves spread out from the base of the plant in a circular pattern, which is called a basal rosette. From the center of these leaves, a short stem grows straight up. The flowers of this plant are very tiny. They are less than two millimeters wide, which is smaller than the tip of a pencil!