Orcutt's aster facts for kids

Xylorhiza orcuttii is a plant often called Orcutt's aster. It is a type of perennial plant, which means it lives for more than two years. This plant belongs to the aster family, a large group of flowering plants.

About Orcutt's Aster

Orcutt's aster is a plant that grows back year after year. It is known for its pretty flowers. This plant is a type of shrub. It can grow up to 1.5 meters (about 5 feet) tall.

Where Orcutt's Aster Lives

This plant is native to specific dry areas. You can find it in southern California. It also grows in northern Baja California, which is in Mexico. Orcutt's aster prefers scrubby places. It lives in the dry canyons of the Sonoran Desert.

Its Favorite Soil

Orcutt's aster likes to grow in rocky and sandy ground. It can also be found in clay. Sometimes, it grows in alkaline soils. These soils have a higher pH level. You might see it growing near cactus plants.

What Orcutt's Aster Looks Like

This plant is a shrub with many branches. Its stems are mostly smooth. They do not have much hair on them.

Leaves and Flowers

The leaves of Orcutt's aster are shaped like a spear. They can also be oblong, which means longer than they are wide. The edges of the leaves can be smooth. Sometimes they have small teeth or even spines.

The plant produces a single flower head. This head has many small flowers inside. These are called ray florets. There can be 40 or more of these florets. They are usually lavender or pale blue. Each one can be over 3 centimeters (about 1.2 inches) long.

Life Cycle and Seeds

Orcutt's aster can start flowering early. Sometimes it blooms in late fall or winter. After the flowers, the plant makes fruit.

The Fruit and Its Bristles

The fruit is a type of seed called an achene. It can be over a centimeter long. This includes its pappus. The pappus is a group of bristles. These bristles help the seed fly away in the wind. This helps the plant spread its seeds.