Spearleaf agoseris facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Spearleaf agoseris |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
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Cichorieae
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| Genus: |
Agoseris
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| Species: |
A. retrorsa
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| Binomial name | |
| Agoseris retrorsa (Benth.) Greene
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Agoseris retrorsa is a type of flowering plant. It belongs to the daisy family. People often call it the spearleaf agoseris or spearleaf mountain dandelion.
This plant grows in western North America. You can find it from Washington down to Baja California. It also grows in Utah. It likes many different places. These include chaparral (shrubland), scrub areas, and cool pine forests.
What is Spearleaf Agoseris?
The spearleaf agoseris is a perennial herb. This means it lives for more than two years. It grows from a group of leaves at its base.
From these leaves, several thick stems grow straight up. These stems can be about half a meter (about 20 inches) tall. They are covered in a soft, woolly fuzz.
Leaves and Flowers
The leaves of this plant are long and narrow. They are shaped like a spear. Along their edges, they have curved, tooth-like parts.
Each stem has one flower head at its top. When fully open, this flower head can be several centimeters wide. It has woolly, pointed parts called phyllaries around its base. These are green, often with reddish-purple stripes.
The flower head is full of many golden yellow ray florets. These look like small petals. The ones on the outside are usually a darker yellow color.
Seeds and Reproduction
After the flower blooms, it produces a fruit called an achene. This is a small, dry seed. Each achene has a feathery top called a pappus. This pappus is made of white bristles. It helps the seeds float away in the wind. This is how the plant spreads its seeds and makes new plants.
