Pentachaeta facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pentachaeta |
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| Pentachaeta bellidiflora | |
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Pentachaeta
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Pentachaeta is a group of plants, also called a genus, that belongs to the Asteraceae family. This family includes many well-known flowers like daisies and sunflowers. All plants in the Pentachaeta genus are found only in California, which means they are endemic to that state.
There are six different types, or species, of Pentachaeta. At least one of them, called Pentachaeta bellidiflora, is an endangered species. This means it is at risk of disappearing forever. The name Pentachaeta comes from Greek words: "Penta" means five, and "chaeta" means bristle. This refers to the five bristle-like parts on the seeds of P. aurea. These plants are also commonly known as Pygmydaisy.
What Pentachaeta Plants Look Like
These plants are annuals, which means they grow, flower, produce seeds, and then die within one year. They have a thin main root, called a taproot, that goes deep into the ground. This root might look smooth, but it's actually covered in tiny hairs.
The stems of Pentachaeta plants are usually simple or branch out near the bottom. They stand upright and are generally flexible. Their color can range from green to reddish. The leaves are typically long and narrow, with small hairs along their edges, and they are green.
Flowers and Seeds
The flowers grow at the very end of the stems. They are usually single flowers that can be shaped like a disc or have rays like a daisy. The flower stalks are thin and wispy. The base of the flower head is bell-shaped and measures about three to seven millimeters.
These plants have green leaf-like structures called phyllaries that protect the flower bud. They are arranged in two or three rows and are shaped like a spear or an egg. The edges of these phyllaries are thin and dry. The part of the flower where the tiny individual flowers sit is bare.
The petals, also known as the corolla, can be white, yellow, or red. Sometimes, they are simplified into just a tube shape. The tiny disk-shaped flowers have thin, pointed tips on their style (the part that receives pollen).
The fruits of Pentachaeta plants are small, about 1.5 to 3.0 millimeters across. They are usually flattened and oblong-shaped, often covered with tiny hairs. Each species has delicate, slender bristles on its seeds, which help them spread.
