Mecca-aster facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mecca-aster |
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Astereae
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X. cognata
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| Xylorhiza cognata (H.M.Hall) T.J.Watson
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Aster cognatus |
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The Mecca-aster (scientific name: Xylorhiza cognata) is a special kind of flowering plant. It belongs to the aster family, which includes many well-known flowers like sunflowers and daisies. This plant is quite rare, meaning it's not found in many places. It is also known as the Mecca woodyaster.
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Where the Mecca-aster Grows
The Mecca-aster is a true Californian native. It only grows in the Colorado Desert in southern California. You can find it in Riverside County and Imperial County. Most of these plants live in the Mecca Hills and Indio Hills. These areas are near the Coachella Valley and the Salton Sea.
This plant loves dry, desert places. It grows in canyons and sandy washes. These are often below 400 meters (about 1,300 feet) in elevation. It thrives in areas with creosote bush scrub, which is a common plant community in the Sonoran Desert.
What the Mecca-aster Looks Like
The Mecca-aster is a woody subshrub, which means it's a small, shrub-like plant. Its branches can grow up to 1.5 meters (about 5 feet) tall. When the stems are new, they are a bit hairy and sticky. As they get older, they lose their hairs.
Leaves and Flowers
The leaves of the Mecca-aster are shaped like a spear or an oval. Their edges can be smooth, slightly toothed, or even spiny. Some people think they look a bit like holly leaves.
The plant produces beautiful flowers. Each plant has a single flower head at the end of its stems. These flower heads look like a single large flower, but they are actually made of many tiny flowers grouped together. There can be 30 or more pale lavender to pale violet petals, called "rays." These rays surround a bright yellow center. Each petal can be over 2 centimeters (about 0.8 inches) long. The Mecca-aster usually blooms from January to June.
Fruit
After the flowers bloom, the plant produces a fruit called an achene. This fruit can be over a centimeter long. It has a fluffy top, called a pappus, which helps the seeds float away in the wind.
Protecting the Mecca-aster
The Mecca-aster is a very special plant, and it needs our help. It is listed as an Endangered species by the California Native Plant Society. This means it's at risk of disappearing forever.
Threats to the Plant
One big threat to the Mecca-aster is off-road vehicles. These vehicles can drive through its habitat and damage the plants. They can also disturb the soil where the plants grow. Another threat is new building projects. As more land is developed, the places where the Mecca-aster lives can shrink. Protecting its habitat is important for its survival.
