Holocarpha facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Holocarpha |
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| Holocarpha macradenia | |
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Holocarpha
Greene 1897
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Holocarpha is a small group of flowering plants. These plants belong to the daisy family, which is a very large family of plants. There are four different kinds, or species, of Holocarpha. All of them are a type of plant called a tarweed.
These plants are special because they are endemic to California. This means they naturally grow only in California and nowhere else in the world.
Contents
What Does Holocarpha Look Like?
Holocarpha plants are annual herbs. This means they grow from a seed, flower, produce new seeds, and then die all within one year. They are often described as being glandular and aromatic.
- Glandular: This means they have tiny glands on their surface. These glands often produce sticky or oily substances.
- Aromatic: This means they have a distinct smell. Many people describe the smell of tarweeds as being like tar or resin, which is how they got their common name.
These plants usually have bright yellow flowers. They are part of the daisy family, so their flowers often look like small daisies or sunflowers.
Different Types of Holocarpha
There are four known species within the Holocarpha group. Each one has its own common name:
- Holocarpha heermannii - Heermann's tarweed
- Holocarpha macradenia - Santa Cruz tarweed
- Holocarpha obconica - San Joaquin tarweed
- Holocarpha virgata - yellowflower tarweed
Some of these species are quite rare. For example, the Santa Cruz tarweed (Holocarpha macradenia) is considered an endangered plant. This means it is very important to protect its natural homes.
Why Are They Called Tarweeds?
The name "tarweed" is used for many different plants. These plants often have a sticky feel and a strong, tar-like smell. This smell comes from the special oils they produce.
It's important to know that not all plants called "tarweed" are in the Holocarpha group. For example, the Santa Susana tarweed is a different plant. It belongs to a different group of plants called Deinandra.
- Santa Susana tarweed - Deinandra minthornii
* This plant is also in the daisy family (Asteraceae). * It is an endemic species, meaning it only grows in certain areas of California. These areas include the Simi Hills and nearby mountain ranges. * It is considered a rare species by the state.
See also
- In Spanish: Holocarpha para niños
