Rincon rubberweed facts for kids

The Hymenoxys quinquesquamata is a special kind of flowering plant. It belongs to the daisy family, just like sunflowers and dandelions! People often call it the rincon rubberweed or rincon bitterweed.

This plant grows only in a small part of the southwestern United States. You can find it in the states of Arizona and New Mexico. Many of these plants live in the Huachuca Mountains in Cochise County, Arizona.

About Rincon Rubberweed

The rincon rubberweed is a perennial herb. This means it's a plant that lives for more than two years. It comes back to life each growing season. It can grow to be quite tall, sometimes up to 100 cm (39 in) (about 3 feet) high!

Where It Lives

This plant likes to grow in open spaces. You'll often see it at the edges of pine-oak forests. It prefers higher places, usually found at elevations between 1,500–2,500 meters (4,900–8,200 ft). That's like being high up in the mountains!

What It Looks Like

The rincon rubberweed is known for its bright yellow flowers. One plant can have many flowers, sometimes as many as 50! These flowers grow in a branching pattern, making the plant look full and colorful.

Its Flowers

Each flower head on the rincon rubberweed is like a tiny bouquet. It has two main types of flowers:

• Ray flowers: These are the petal-like flowers around the edge. Each head usually has 5 to 8 of these bright yellow "petals."
• Disc flowers: These are the tiny flowers packed tightly in the center. There can be anywhere from 30 to 100 of these little yellow disc flowers in each head.

Together, these flowers create a beautiful display. They attract insects like bees and butterflies. These insects help the plant make seeds.