Purpledisc sunflower facts for kids
Helianthus atrorubens is a type of sunflower found in North America. Its common name is the purpledisc sunflower. This plant grows naturally in the southeastern United States. You can find it in states along the coast, from Louisiana all the way to Virginia. It also grows inland in Kentucky and Tennessee.
Quick facts for kids Purpledisc sunflower |
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| Genus: |
Helianthus
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| Species: |
atrorubens
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About the Purpledisc Sunflower
The purpledisc sunflower is a perennial herb. This means it's a plant that lives for more than two years. It can grow quite tall, sometimes reaching up to 200 centimeters (about 80 inches). Most of its leaves are found close to the bottom of its stem.
What It Looks Like
Each purpledisc sunflower plant can produce many flower heads. A single plant might have anywhere from 1 to 15 of these "flowers." Each flower head is actually a cluster of many small flowers, which is why it's called a pseudanthium.
Ray and Disc Florets
Each flower head has two main parts:
- Ray florets: These are the bright yellow, petal-like parts that stick out from the center. There are usually 10 to 15 of these on each flower head.
- Disc florets: These are the tiny flowers packed tightly in the center of the flower head. They are often red or purple, and there can be 75 or more of them! This is where the "purpledisc" part of its name comes from.
Where It Grows
The purpledisc sunflower likes to grow in certain places. You can often find it in mixed woods, which are forests with different types of trees. It also likes to grow along roadsides, where it can get plenty of sunlight.
