Sierra pussytoes facts for kids

Antennaria pulchella is a type of flowering plant found in North America. It belongs to the daisy family. People often call it Sierra pussytoes or beautiful pussytoes.

This plant mostly grows high up in the Sierra Nevada mountains, from Nevada County to Tulare County. It likes the cool, high-altitude weather there. You can also find it on Lassen Peak in Lassen County, and in Washoe County, Nevada.

What Does Sierra Pussytoes Look Like?

Antennaria pulchella is a small plant that grows in a flat, mat-like shape. It has fuzzy, grayish leaves that might have small purple spots. The plant spreads out using special stems called stolons, which grow along the ground.

Plant Size and Flowers

The flower stalks of this plant stand up straight and grow to about twelve centimetres (4.7 in) tall. This plant is special because it is dioecious. This means there are separate male plants and female plants. Each plant produces its own type of flower heads.

Seeds and How They Spread

After the flowers bloom, the plant makes small fruits called achenes. These are like tiny seeds, about half a centimeter long. Each achene has a long, soft, feathery part called a pappus. This pappus helps the seeds float away in the wind, spreading the plant to new places.