Krigia occidentalis facts for kids
Krigia occidentalis, also known as the western dwarfdandelion, is a small, cheerful yellow wildflower found in North America. It belongs to the amazing sunflower family, just like the big sunflowers you might know! This tiny plant grows naturally in the southern Great Plains and the Ozark Mountains in the south-central United States. You can find it in states like Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and Louisiana.
Quick facts for kids Krigia occidentalis |
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Cichorioideae
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Cichorieae
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K. occidentalis
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| Binomial name | |
| Krigia occidentalis Nutt.
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Contents
What is the Western Dwarfdandelion?
The western dwarfdandelion is a very small plant. It usually grows to be less than 16 centimeters (about 6.4 inches) tall. That's shorter than a standard pencil!
Plant Parts and Features
This little plant has a special root called a taproot. A taproot is a main root that grows straight down into the soil. It helps the plant find water deep underground.
Flowers of the Dwarfdandelion
Each western dwarfdandelion plant produces only one flower head on each stem. These flower heads are bright yellow. They have between 5 and 25 "ray flowers." Ray flowers are the petal-like parts you see around the edge of a daisy or sunflower. Interestingly, this plant does not have "disc flowers," which are the tiny flowers usually found in the center of a sunflower.
Life Cycle of the Plant
The western dwarfdandelion is an annual plant. This means it completes its entire life cycle in just one year. It grows from a seed, blooms, produces new seeds, and then dies, all within a single growing season.
Where Does This Plant Grow?
The western dwarfdandelion is native to North America. It loves to grow in certain parts of the central and southern United States.
Natural Habitat Areas
You can find this plant in two main regions:
- The southern Great Plains: This is a large area of flat grasslands in the middle of the continent.
- The Ozark Mountains: These are a group of low mountains and hills. They are found in states like Missouri and Arkansas.
States Where It Lives
The western dwarfdandelion is found in several states. These include:
