Sea dahlia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sea dahlia |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Coreopsis
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| Species: |
maritima
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Coreopsis maritima, also known as the sea dahlia, is a type of tickseed plant. It belongs to the sunflower family, which includes many well-known flowers.
This plant naturally grows in Southern California and Baja California, Mexico. You can often find it in coastal areas, especially on ocean bluffs. It likes the dry, shrubby areas known as California chaparral and woodlands. Some places where it grows include San Diego County, parts of Los Angeles County near Malibu, Santa Cruz Island, and even a few spots in San Bernardino County.
What is the Sea Dahlia?
The sea dahlia is a perennial plant. This means it lives for more than two years, coming back each growing season. It usually grows to be about 10 to 40 centimeters (4 to 16 inches) tall. Sometimes, it can grow even taller, up to 80 centimeters (32 inches).
Leaves and Stems
The plant has green leaves that are often divided into narrow, finger-like parts. These parts, called lobes, are typically 5 to 30 millimeters long and 1 to 2 millimeters wide. The stems are strong and hold up the flowers.
Flowers and Blooming Season
Sea dahlias usually bloom from late winter to early summer. Each stem often has one or two large flower heads. These flower heads sit on long stalks called peduncles, which can be 15 to 30 centimeters (6 to 12 inches) long. Sometimes, a single stem can have four or more flower heads.
Each flower head looks like a daisy or sunflower. It has 16 to 21 bright yellow "petals" around the edge. These are actually special ray florets, and they can be 20 to 35 millimeters long. In the center, there are many tiny disc florets, which are about 5.5 to 7 millimeters long.
Seeds and Fruit
After the flowers bloom, the plant produces small, dry fruits called cypselae. These are like the seeds you see in a sunflower. They are oblong-rectangular in shape and about 6 to 7 millimeters long.
