Swamp daisy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Swamp daisy |
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Brachyscome
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B. basaltica
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| Brachyscome basaltica |
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The swamp daisy (scientific name: Brachyscome basaltica) is a beautiful plant found only in Australia. It's a type of perennial herb, which means it lives for more than two years. This lovely plant belongs to the Asteraceae family, which also includes sunflowers and regular daisies!
Swamp daisies are known for their pretty, daisy-like flowers. These flowers usually have white petals and a bright yellow center, making them look cheerful and inviting.
Contents
What Does the Swamp Daisy Look Like?
The swamp daisy is a small plant, growing about 30 to 60 centimeters (about 1 to 2 feet) tall. It has thin, bushy branches. Its leaves grow either along the stems or in bunches at the bottom of the plant.
Leaves and Stems
The stems of the swamp daisy can be smooth or have tiny, gland-like hairs. The leaves are shaped like a spear or an egg, and they attach directly to the stem without a stalk. They are usually 30 to 50 millimeters (about 1 to 2 inches) long and 3 to 14 millimeters wide. The tips of the leaves are often pointed, and their edges are smooth, sometimes looking a bit wavy.
Flowers and Bracts
Before the flower opens, it's protected by a group of small, leaf-like structures called bracts. There are about 10 to 22 of these bracts, overlapping each other like tiles on a roof. Each bract is soft and has dry edges.
The flowers themselves are truly eye-catching. Each swamp daisy flower has between 24 and 42 petals. These petals are usually white, but sometimes they can be a soft mauve (light purple) color. Each petal is about 4 to 6 millimeters long.
Seeds and Fruit
After the flower blooms, it produces a small, dry fruit. This fruit contains just one seed. It starts out flat but becomes a bit swollen when it's ready. The fruit is tiny, about 1.5 to 2 millimeters long, and has small bumps on its surface.
Where Does the Swamp Daisy Grow?
The swamp daisy loves wet places! You can find this plant growing in damp areas across three states in Australia:
It thrives in locations where there's plenty of moisture, which is why it's called the "swamp daisy."
Images for kids
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A close-up of the swamp daisy's flower and leaves.
