Nodding microseris facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Nodding microseris |
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| Microseris nutans growing in Wenas Wildlife Area, Washington | |
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Microseris
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| Species: |
nutans
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Microseris nutans, also known as the nodding microseris, is a type of flowering plant. It belongs to the aster family, which includes many well-known flowers like daisies and sunflowers. This plant is found naturally in western North America, including parts of southwestern Canada and much of the western United States. It grows in many different places, from mountains like the Sierra Nevada in California to various other habitats.
What the Nodding Microseris Looks Like
The nodding microseris can look a bit different depending on where it grows. Generally, it is a perennial herb, which means it's a plant that lives for more than two years. It can grow up to 70 centimeters (about 27 inches) tall and has a stem that branches out.
Leaves and Flowers
The plant has many leaves, which can be as long as 30 centimeters (about 12 inches). Their edges are usually toothed or have rounded sections called lobes.
The flowers grow on a straight stalk called a peduncle. The flower head often looks like it's nodding or bending downwards. Each flower head is actually made up of many small flowers, called ray florets, which are yellow and can number up to 50.
Seeds and Fruit
After the flowers bloom, the plant produces a type of fruit called an achene. This is a small, dry fruit that contains a single seed, similar to a sunflower seed. The body of the achene is usually brownish or reddish and only a few millimeters long. At the top of the achene is a large, feathery or hairy structure called a pappus. This pappus is made of 15 to 30 shiny, hairy scales and helps the seeds float away in the wind, spreading them to new places.
Images for kids
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Microseris nutans in Wenas Wildlife Area, Washington
