Lagophylla facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hareleaf |
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| Lagophylla ramosissima | |
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Madieae
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Lagophylla
Nutt.
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Lagophylla is a small group of flowering plants. They are part of the sunflower family, which includes many well-known plants like daisies and sunflowers! These plants grow naturally in western North America, especially in California.
What Makes Hareleaf Special?
Hareleaf plants are annuals. This means they complete their entire life cycle, from seed to flower to seed, within one year. They usually have small, yellow flowers that open up at night.
One of the most interesting things about these plants is their leaves. They are covered with many soft, dense hairs. This is why they are called hareleaf. The scientific name, Lagophylla, also comes from this feature. It combines two Greek words: lagos (meaning 'hare') and phyllon (meaning 'leaf').
A scientist named Thomas Nuttall described the leaves as having "abundant, soft, white, silky hairs." He thought they looked like a hare's foot, which is why he chose the name Lagophylla.
Different Kinds of Hareleaf
There are several different types, or species, of Hareleaf plants. Each one grows in specific areas, mostly within California and nearby states. Here are some of them:
- Lagophylla diabolensis - You can find this one in California's Diablo Range.
- Lagophylla dichotoma - Also known as forked hareleaf, it grows in San Benito, Fresno, and Monterey Counties in California.
- Lagophylla glandulosa - This is the glandular hareleaf, found in California.
- Lagophylla minor - Called lesser hareleaf, it grows in northern California.
- Lagophylla ramosissima - This is the branched hareleaf. It has a wider range, from San Diego County in California all the way up to Montana and Washington.
See also
In Spanish: Lagophylla para niños
