Henrieville woody-aster facts for kids

The Henrieville woody-aster (scientific name: Xylorhiza confertifolia) is a special and not often seen flowering plant. It belongs to the Asteraceae family, which is also known as the daisy family. This plant is found only in two counties in southern Utah: Garfield and Kane. Its common name comes from the town of Henrieville in Garfield County.

You can find the Henrieville woody-aster growing in dry, salty slopes. It also lives in open forests with pinyon pines and juniper trees. It likes high places, between 1,400 and 2,300 meters (about 4,600 to 7,500 feet) above sea level.

What Does It Look Like?

The Henrieville woody-aster is a small shrub. It grows up to 20 centimeters (about 8 inches) tall. Its leaves are very thin, like tiny lines. They are usually less than 2.5 millimeters (about 0.1 inches) wide.

Each plant has single flowers. These flowers have white "ray" petals, which look like the petals of a daisy. In the center, they have yellow "disc" flowers.

Where Does It Grow?

This plant is endemic to a small area of southern Utah. This means it grows naturally only in this specific region and nowhere else in the world. It is found in parts of Garfield and Kane counties.

It prefers places with alkaline soil. This type of soil has a high pH level, meaning it's more basic or "salty." It also grows in open areas within pinyon-juniper woodlands. These woodlands are common in the dry, high-desert regions of the western United States.