Solidago lancifolia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Solidago lancifolia |
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Scientific classification | |
Genus: |
Solidago
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Species: |
lancifolia
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Synonyms | |
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The lance-leaf goldenrod (Solidago lancifolia) is a special and rare plant. It is a type of goldenrod found only in a few places in North America. This plant belongs to the sunflower family, which includes many well-known flowers.
What is Lance-Leaf Goldenrod?
The lance-leaf goldenrod is a perennial herb. This means it is a plant that lives for more than two years. It grows back each year from its roots. It can grow quite tall, sometimes reaching up to 160 centimeters (about 5 feet, 3 inches).
What it Looks Like
This goldenrod has many small, bright yellow flowers. These flowers grow in groups called flower heads. A single plant can have as many as 400 of these small flower heads. They form a large, showy display at the top of the plant. Smaller groups of flowers can also be found on the side branches.
Each flower head is made up of two kinds of tiny flowers:
- Ray florets: These are like the "petals" you see around the edge of a sunflower. Each lance-leaf goldenrod flower head has about 5 to 8 ray florets.
- Disc florets: These are the small, tube-shaped flowers in the center of the flower head. There are usually 5 to 12 disc florets in each head.
Where it Grows
The lance-leaf goldenrod is a very rare plant. It is found only in the Appalachian Mountains. These mountains stretch across parts of the eastern United States. Specifically, you can find this goldenrod in:
Because it grows in such a small area, scientists consider it a rare species. Protecting its natural home is important for its survival.