Wright's snakeweed facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wright's snakeweed |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Gutierrezia
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| Species: |
wrightii
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Gutierrezia wrightii is a fascinating flowering plant found in North America. It belongs to the daisy family, just like sunflowers and dandelions! This plant is commonly known as Wright's snakeweed. You can find it growing naturally in the southwestern parts of the United States, specifically in Arizona and New Mexico. It also grows in northwestern Mexico, in areas like Sonora, Chihuahua, and Sinaloa.
Wright's Snakeweed: A Desert Plant
Wright's snakeweed is an annual herb. This means it completes its entire life cycle, from seed to flower to seed, within one year. It can grow quite tall, sometimes reaching up to 200 centimeters (about 79 inches) in height.
What Wright's Snakeweed Looks Like
The leaves of this plant are long and narrow, shaped a bit like a spear. They can grow up to 7 centimeters (about 2.8 inches) long. When it blooms, the plant produces many flower heads. These flower heads are grouped together in loose clusters.
Each flower head is quite busy! It has between 30 and 60 tiny disc florets in the center. Around the edge, you'll see 8 to 19 bright yellow ray florets. These ray florets are what most people think of as the "petals" of a daisy-like flower.
Where Wright's Snakeweed Grows
This plant thrives in dry, sunny places. Its native home includes the deserts and arid regions of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. It's well-adapted to these environments, making it a common sight in its natural habitat.
