Sierra lessingia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sierra lessingia
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Asterids
Order:	Asterales
Family:	Asteraceae
Tribe:	Astereae
Genus:	Lessingia
Species:	L. leptoclada
Binomial name
Lessingia leptoclada A.Gray

Lessingia leptoclada is a type of flowering plant. It belongs to the daisy family. People often call it the Sierra lessingia.

This plant grows only in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California. This means it is endemic there, which means it is found naturally in only one specific place. It grows in different kinds of local areas within the Sierra Nevada.

What is the Sierra Lessingia?

The Sierra lessingia is a thin plant that grows every year. It is an annual herb, meaning it lives for only one growing season. It stands upright and can be very small, just a few centimeters tall, or it can grow almost a meter high. It has long branches that spread out.

How it Looks

This plant often feels sticky because it has many glands. It can also be hairy or have a woolly texture.

• Leaves: The leaves at the top of the plant are about 5 centimeters long. They are narrow and sometimes have small teeth or lobes (rounded parts). The leaves closer to the ground are longer but fall off early in the plant's life.
• Flowers: The flowers grow in groups called flower heads. These heads can appear alone or in small clusters. Each flower head has a layer of woolly leaves called bracts around it. The flower head is round and does not have the typical "petals" that look like rays, like a daisy. Instead, it has many small, funnel-shaped flowers called disc florets. These disc florets can be pinkish, lavender, or light bluish-purple. They have large, noticeable lobes.
• Fruit: After the flowers bloom, the plant produces small fruits. These fruits are called achenes. Each achene has a white, feathery top made of bristles, which helps it spread its seeds.