Taraxacum californicum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Taraxacum californicum |
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Taraxacum
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| Species: |
californicum
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The Taraxacum californicum, also known as the California dandelion, is a special type of dandelion. It is an endangered species, which means there are very few of these plants left in the wild. This dandelion only grows in the San Bernardino Mountains in California, USA. You can find it in the mountain meadows there.
What Does the California Dandelion Look Like?
The California dandelion is a small perennial wildflower. This means it lives for more than two years and blooms every year. It looks a lot like the common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) that you might see growing in your yard.
However, the California dandelion has some unique features. Its leaves are green and often have red veins. They can be lobed (meaning they have rounded sections) or toothed (meaning they have jagged edges). The plant produces bright yellow flower heads, which look like a single flower but are actually made up of many tiny flowers. After the flowers bloom, they turn into brown and white fruits, which are the seeds that can float away in the wind, just like common dandelion seeds.
Why Is This Dandelion Endangered?
There are very few California dandelions left. Scientists know of fewer than twenty places where this plant grows, and some of these places only have a few individual plants. This makes it very rare and vulnerable.
One big problem for the California dandelion is that it can hybridize with the common dandelion. When two different types of plants mix their genes, it's called hybridization. If the California dandelion mixes with the common dandelion, it can lead to something called genetic pollution. This means the unique genes of the California dandelion might get lost or diluted over time, making it even harder for the species to survive on its own. Protecting its special genes is important for its future.
See also
In Spanish: Taraxacum californicum para niños
