Sierra foothill silverpuffs facts for kids

Microseris acuminata, also known as the Sierra foothill silverpuffs, is a type of flowering plant. It belongs to the aster family, which includes many well-known flowers like daisies and sunflowers. This plant grows naturally in the Central Valley of California and the mountains around it, such as the Sierra Nevada. You can also find it in Jackson County, Oregon, though it's a bit separated from its main growing areas. This plant likes to grow in grassy areas, forests, and sometimes near the edges of vernal pools (seasonal ponds).

What is Sierra Foothill Silverpuffs?

The Sierra foothill silverpuffs plant is an annual herb. This means it completes its whole life cycle, from seed to flower to new seeds, in just one year. It usually grows to be about 5 to 35 centimeters tall. Its leaves grow in a circle close to the ground, forming a "rosette." There isn't a main stem that stands up straight from the ground.

Leaves and Flowers

Each leaf of the plant can be up to 20 centimeters long. The edges of the leaves have narrow, comb-like shapes. The plant's flower cluster, called an inflorescence, grows on a stalk. This stalk, known as a peduncle, can stand up straight, curve, or even droop.

The plant's flower head looks like a single flower but is actually made of many tiny flowers. It can have up to 50 flat, petal-like flowers called ray florets.

Unique Fruit of the Plant

The fruit of the Sierra foothill silverpuffs is quite special. It's a small, dry fruit called an achene. The main part of the fruit is brown and smooth, about half a centimeter long.

At the very top of this fruit is a large, fluffy structure called a pappus. This pappus is made up of five long scales. Each scale can be up to a centimeter long and has joints, like tiny segments. These scales are also covered with small bristles and hairs, which help the fruit float away in the wind, spreading the seeds.