Guirado goldenrod facts for kids

The Solidago guiradonis is an uncommon plant often called the Guirado goldenrod. It is a type of goldenrod plant, which are known for their bright yellow flowers. This plant grows naturally only in a specific part of central California. You can find it in southern San Benito and western Fresno Counties.

This goldenrod is very particular about where it lives. It only grows on a special kind of soil called serpentine soil. This type of soil is found in areas like the New Idria and Laguna Mountain Serpentine Masses. The plant also needs a lot of water. It grows best near the banks of streams and rivers that flow all year. It can also be found in wet, marshy spots on the serpentine masses.

What It Looks Like

The Guirado goldenrod is a plant that lives for many years. It grows from a tough, woody base called a caudex. This plant can grow quite tall, sometimes reaching over one meter (about 40 inches) high.

Its leaves can be up to 20 centimeters (about 8 inches) long, especially near the bottom of the plant. The leaves are long and narrow, like a spear. They have flat stalks (called petioles) that widen at the bottom. These wide parts almost wrap around the plant's main stem. Most of the plant's surface is smooth and does not have many hairs.

Flowers and How They Grow

The flowers of the Guirado goldenrod grow in a large group called an inflorescence. This group can have as many as 190 small flower heads. These flower heads are arranged in a long, branching pattern.

Each small flower head is made up of different parts. Inside, there are 10 to 21 yellow disc florets. These are the tiny, tube-shaped flowers in the center. Around them, there are usually 8 to 10 narrow yellow ray florets. These are the petal-like parts that stick out, and each one is only about 1 or 2 millimeters long.