Sowthistle desertdandelion facts for kids
Malacothrix sonchoides is a type of flowering plant that belongs to the aster family. It's often called the sowthistle desertdandelion or yellow saucers because of its bright yellow flowers. This plant grows naturally in many parts of the western United States.
Quick facts for kids Sowthistle desertdandelion |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| (unranked): | |
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Cichorieae
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| Genus: |
Malacothrix
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| Species: |
M. sonchoides
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| Binomial name | |
| Malacothrix sonchoides (Nutt.) Torr. & A.Gray
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About the Sowthistle Desertdandelion
This plant is an annual herb. This means it completes its whole life cycle in one year. It grows from a seed, flowers, produces new seeds, and then dies.
What It Looks Like
The sowthistle desertdandelion usually grows one or more stems. These stems can branch out and are smooth, without hairs. They typically reach about 25 centimeters (about 10 inches) tall. Some plants can grow taller, up to almost 50 centimeters (about 20 inches).
The leaves near the bottom of the plant are thick and have several rounded parts, like lobes. The leaves higher up on the stem are smaller and have a simpler shape.
Its Flowers
The plant produces special flower heads. These are not single flowers but groups of many tiny flowers called florets. Each flower head can have up to 115 bright yellow florets. Each floret is a little over one centimeter long.
Where It Grows
The sowthistle desertdandelion loves to grow in sandy soil. You can find it in different natural areas across the western United States. These places include:
- Joshua tree woodlands
- Open grassland areas
- Creosote bush scrublands
- Areas where ephedra and blackbrush plants grow together
