Inyo rockdaisy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Inyo rockdaisy |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| (unranked): | |
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| Order: | |
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| Subfamily: |
Asteroideae
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| Tribe: |
Perityleae
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| Genus: |
Perityle
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| Species: |
P. inyoensis
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| Binomial name | |
| Perityle inyoensis (Ferris) A.Powell
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| Synonyms | |
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Laphamia inyoensis |
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The Perityle inyoensis, also known as the Inyo rockdaisy or Inyo laphamia, is a very rare flowering plant. It belongs to the aster family, which includes sunflowers and daisies.
This special plant is found only in Inyo County in eastern California. When a plant or animal is found only in one specific place, it is called endemic.
The Inyo rockdaisy grows in just a few spots within the southern Inyo Mountains. It likes dry, rocky mountain slopes, especially where there is limestone. You can find it at high elevations, from about 1,800 to 2,710 meters (5,900 to 8,900 feet) above sea level.
What the Inyo Rockdaisy Looks Like
The Perityle inyoensis is a small subshrub. This means it's a small, woody plant, like a tiny bush. It grows in a clump with several thin, hairy stems. These stems can reach up to about 25 centimeters (10 inches) long.
Leaves and Flowers
Its leaves are small, only one or two centimeters long. They are hairy and have tiny glands. The leaves can be oval or triangular in shape, with pointed tips and jagged edges. They might grow in pairs opposite each other on the stem, or they might grow one after another.
The plant produces small groups of flower heads. Each group usually has one to three flower heads, and each head is less than a centimeter wide. These flower heads have bright yellow disc florets, which are the tiny flowers in the center of a daisy. Unlike many daisies, the Inyo rockdaisy does not have ray florets, which are the petal-like parts.
After the flowers bloom, they produce a fuzzy achene. This is a type of dry fruit that contains the plant's seed. The achene of the Inyo rockdaisy is about 3 millimeters long.
Protecting the Inyo Rockdaisy
The Inyo rockdaisy is considered an Endangered species by the California Native Plant Society. This means it is at high risk of disappearing forever. One of the main threats to this plant is new mining projects that are planned in its habitat. Protecting its home is very important to help this rare plant survive.
