Machaeranthera juncea facts for kids

Machaeranthera juncea is a type of flowering plant. It is often called rush bristleweed or rush-like bristleweed. This plant is part of the aster family, which includes many well-known flowers like daisies and sunflowers.

This plant is found naturally in parts of northern Mexico. In the United States, it grows only as far north as San Diego County, California. It likes to grow on slopes and in canyons, both near the coast and further inland.

About the Rush Bristleweed Plant

The rush bristleweed is a perennial herb. This means it lives for more than two years. It grows straight up and can reach about 1 meter (which is about 3 feet) tall.

Leaves and Stems

The leaves of the rush bristleweed are long and thin. Most of them are found at the bottom of the plant. Each leaf is usually 1 to 2 centimeters long. They might have small teeth or be cut into tiny, stiff, bristle-tipped parts.

Flowers and How They Look

This plant produces one or more flower heads. These heads are lined with special leaf-like structures called phyllaries. These phyllaries are sticky and have stiff, bristle-like tips.

Each flower head has two main parts:

• Disc florets: These are many small, yellow flowers in the center of the head.
• Ray florets: These are like petals, forming a fringe around the edge. There are usually 15 to 25 yellow ray florets, and each one is about half a centimeter long.

Fruit and Seeds

After the flowers bloom, the plant produces a fruit called an achene. This fruit is small, only 2 to 3 millimeters long, and covered in tiny hairs. Each achene has a fluffy top called a pappus. The pappus helps the seeds float away in the wind, spreading the plant to new places.