Lobe-seed daisy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lobe-seed daisy |
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| Scientific classification | |
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Brachyscome
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B. dentata
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| Brachyscome dentata Gaudich.
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The Lobe-seed daisy (Brachyscome dentata) is a pretty plant. It's a type of perennial herb, which means it lives for more than two years. This daisy is special because it's found only in Australia. It has lovely white or light purple flowers that look like daisies. Each flower has a bright yellow middle and pale green leaves.
What it Looks Like
The Lobe-seed daisy grows upright. Its stems can reach up to 50 centimeters (about 20 inches) tall. The stems have many leaves. Sometimes, the leaves and stems can feel a bit fuzzy, like wool.
The leaves near the bottom of the plant often dry up fast. The leaves higher up are shaped like a wedge. They are usually 2 to 5 centimeters (about 1 to 2 inches) long. They are also 2 to 10 millimeters (less than half an inch) wide. These leaves often have three narrow, sharp points at their tips. Sometimes, their edges can be deeply cut, or they might be smooth.
The flowers are single and look like classic daisies. They are usually white, but sometimes they can be light purple. Each flower is about 10 millimeters (less than half an inch) across. They grow on a special stalk called a peduncle. This stalk can be 8 to 25 centimeters (about 3 to 10 inches) long.
Around the base of the flower, there are small, overlapping leaf-like parts called bracts. These bracts can be pointed or rounded. After the flower blooms, it produces a small, dry fruit. This fruit is brown and wedge-shaped. It is about 3 to 4 millimeters long and has short, stiff hairs. You can usually see these daisies flowering in spring and summer.
How it Got its Name
The Lobe-seed daisy was first officially described in 1830. A French botanist named Charles Gaudichaud-Beaupré gave it its scientific name. He published his description in a book about a round-the-world voyage.
The second part of its scientific name, dentata, comes from a Latin word. "Dentatus" means "toothed." This name was chosen because the edges of the plant's leaves often have small tooth-like points.
Where it Grows
The Lobe-seed daisy is found in many parts of Australia. In the state of Victoria, it grows in southern areas. You can find it near Geelong, east to Barnawartha, and west to Wimmera. It likes to grow in different places. These include grasslands on volcanic rock, sandy soil in woodlands, and heavy clay soils.
In New South Wales, this daisy is very common. It grows all over the state in many different environments. It is often found in areas that flood, like floodplains. You can also find it in the Darling Downs region of Queensland.
