Livermore tarplant facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Livermore tarplant |
|
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| (unranked): | |
| (unranked): | |
| (unranked): | |
| Order: | |
| Family: | |
| Subfamily: |
Asteroideae
|
| Tribe: | |
| Genus: | |
| Species: |
D. bacigalupii
|
| Binomial name | |
| Deinandra bacigalupii B.G.Baldwin
|
|
The Livermore tarplant (scientific name: Deinandra bacigalupii) is a very rare flowering plant. It belongs to the aster family, also known as Asteraceae. People sometimes call it the Livermore moonshine.
This special plant only grows in Alameda County, California. There are only about five places where it can be found, all near Livermore. It likes to grow in open areas with alkali soils, like salty meadows. Scientists recognized it as its own species in 1999.
About the Livermore Tarplant
The Livermore tarplant is a type of annual herb. This means it completes its whole life cycle in one year. It grows a strong stem that can be about 10 to 40 centimeters (4 to 16 inches) tall.
Leaves and Flowers
The leaves of the Livermore tarplant are hairy and have tiny glands. They are narrow and shaped like a spear. Their edges can be smooth or slightly lobed.
The plant's inflorescence is a group of flower heads. These heads grow in clusters on the stem branches. Each flower head is surrounded by special leaves called bracts.
A single flower head has 6 to 9 yellow ray florets. These are like the "petals" you see on a daisy. Each one is only a few millimeters long. Inside, there are also several yellow disc florets. These have yellow or brown anthers, which are parts of the flower that hold pollen.
