Jimmyweed facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Jimmyweed, goldenweed |
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| Isocoma acradenia | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Asteraceae |
| Subfamily: | Asteroideae |
| Supertribe: | Asterodae |
| Tribe: | Astereae |
| Genus: | Isocoma Nutt. 1840 |
| Synonyms | |
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Isocoma is a group of plants often called Jimmyweed or goldenweed. These are small, woody shrubs that belong to the sunflower family. You can find them mostly in the dry, sunny areas of the Southwestern United States and Mexico.
The name Isocoma comes from ancient Greek words. It means "equal hair," which describes the fluffy, hair-like parts (called a pappus) found on the plant's seeds.
Contents
Where Do Jimmyweeds Grow?
Jimmyweeds are tough, shrubby plants. They grow well in dry places like deserts and semi-desert areas. You can spot them in states like California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. They also thrive in many parts of Mexico.
Who Eats Jimmyweeds?
Some types of larvae (baby insects) use Isocoma plants for food. These larvae grow into Lepidoptera species, which are moths and butterflies. For example:
- The larvae of Schinia bicuspida have been seen eating I. drummondii.
- Schinia erosa larvae eat only I. acradenia.
- Schinia tertia larvae have been found on I. pluriflora.
Different Types of Jimmyweed Plants
There are many different kinds of Isocoma plants. Here are some of them and where they can be found:
- Isocoma acradenia (Greene) Greene - This one is known as alkali goldenbush. It grows in Baja California, Sonora, California, Arizona, Nevada, and Utah.
- Isocoma arguta Greene - Called Carquinez goldenbush, it is found in Solano County in California.
- Isocoma azteca G.L.Nesom - This is the Aztec goldenbush. It grows in Arizona and New Mexico.
- Isocoma coronopifolia (Gray) Greene - Also known as common goldenbush, it is found in southern Texas, Coahuila, Nuevo León, and Tamaulipas.
- Isocoma drummondii (Torr. & Gray) Greene - This is Drummond's goldenbush. It grows in southern Texas and Tamaulipas.
- Isocoma felgeri G.L.Nesom - You can find this type in Sonora, Mexico.
- Isocoma gypsophila B.L.Turner - This plant grows in Zacatecas and Nuevo León, Mexico.
- Isocoma hartwegii (A.Gray) Greene - Found in San Luis Potosí, Zacatecas, and Guanajuato, Mexico.
- Isocoma humilis G.L.Nesom - Known as Zion goldenbush, it grows in Utah (specifically Kane and Washington Counties).
- Isocoma menziesii (Hook. & Arn.) G.L.Nesom - This is Menzies' goldenbush. It grows in Baja California and California.
- Isocoma pluriflora (Torr. & Gray) Greene - Called rayless goldenrod or southern goldenbush, it is found in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and Chihuahua.
- Isocoma rusbyi Greene - This is Rusby's goldenbush. It grows in Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, and Colorado.
- Isocoma tehuacana G.L.Nesom - You can find this type in Puebla, Mexico.
- Isocoma tenuisecta Greene - Known as burrow goldenweed, it grows in Arizona and New Mexico.
- Isocoma tomentosa G.L.Nesom - This plant is found in Chihuahua, Mexico.
- Isocoma veneta (Kunth) Greene - Simply called jimmyweed, it grows across Mexico from Coahuila to Oaxaca.
See also
In Spanish: Isocoma para niños
