Menzies' goldenbush facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Menzies' goldenbush |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Isocoma
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| Species: |
menziesii
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| Synonyms | |
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Synonymy
Bigelowia menziesii (Hook. & Arn.) A.Gray
Haplopappus fasciculatus Vasey & Rose Haplopappus menziesii (Hook. & Arn.) Torr. & A.Gray Isocoma oxyphylla Greene Pyrrocoma menziesii Hook. & Arn. 1839 Bigelowia furfuracea Greene Isocoma decumbens Greene Isocoma sedoides (Greene) Greene Bigelowia tridentata Greene Haplopappus tridentatus (Greene) S.F.Blake Isocoma tridentata (Greene) Greene Linosyris dentata Kellogg Isocoma latifolia Greene Isocoma leucanthemifolia Greene Isocoma microdonta Greene Isocoma vernonioides Nutt. Isocoma villosa Greene |
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Isocoma menziesii is a type of flowering plant. It belongs to the daisy family, just like sunflowers! People often call it Menzies' goldenbush because of its bright yellow flowers. This plant grows naturally in California and parts of Baja California in Mexico. You can find it in places near the coast or further inland, especially where the soil is sandy, like in chaparral areas.
Contents
What it Looks Like
Isocoma menziesii is a small shrub, which means it's a woody plant smaller than a tree. It grows into a bushy shape, usually between one and two meters (about 3 to 6.5 feet) tall.
Its stems grow upright and have many branches. They can be smooth or a bit fuzzy, and they often feel sticky because they have tiny glands. The stems can be gray-green or reddish-brown.
The leaves are shaped like ovals or rectangles. They are gray-green and can also be hairy or sticky. They are usually about 1 to 5 centimeters (0.4 to 2 inches) long and have small, blunt teeth along their edges.
Its Flowers
This plant produces many bright yellow flowers. These flowers grow in groups called inflorescences. Each group is made of many thick flower heads.
Each flower head is like a small cup. It has several layers of thick, pointed, greenish leaves called phyllaries wrapped around it. Inside each head, you'll find many long, yellow, tube-shaped flowers called disc florets. These florets stick out and have long parts called stigmas.
Different Types of Menzies' Goldenbush
Just like there are different types of apples, there are also different types, or "varieties," of Menzies' goldenbush. These varieties look slightly different or grow in specific areas.
Here are some of the known varieties and where they are found:
- Isocoma menziesii var. decumbens is found in northern Baja California, San Diego County, and the Channel Islands.
- Isocoma menziesii var. diabolica grows in Santa Clara and San Benito Counties.
- Isocoma menziesii var. menziesii is found in Baja California, Baja California Sur, San Diego County, Orange County, western Riverside County, and the Channel Islands.
- Isocoma menziesii var. sedoides grows from Orange to San Luis Obispo Counties, including the Channel Islands.
- Isocoma menziesii var. tridentata is found in southern Baja California, including Isla Cedros, and northern Baja California Sur.
- Isocoma menziesii var. vernonioides grows from Monterey County to northern Baja California.
Images for kids
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A close-up of the Menzies' goldenbush flowers.
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Isocoma menziesii in the Santa Ana Mountains.
See also
In Spanish: Isocoma menziesii para niños
