Xylorhiza cronquistii facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kaiparowits woody-aster |
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Astereae
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X. cronquistii
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| Xylorhiza cronquistii S. L. Welsh & N. D. Atwood
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Machaeranthera cronquistii (S. L. Welsh & N. D. Atwood) Cronquist |
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The Cronquist's woody-aster (Xylorhiza cronquistii) is a very special plant. It is found only in one specific area of the world. This means it is endemic to that place. You can find this unique plant growing on the Kaiparowits Plateau in Utah. This area is part of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.
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Meet Cronquist's Woody-Aster
The Cronquist's woody-aster is a type of plant known as a subshrub. This means it is a small, woody plant, but it is not as big as a tree or a large bush. It usually grows up to about 30 centimeters (about 12 inches) tall. That's roughly the length of a school ruler!
What Does It Look Like?
This plant has long, narrow leaves. They are shaped a bit like a spear. Sometimes, these leaves have tiny, soft spines along their edges. The flowers of the Cronquist's woody-aster are very pretty. They grow in heads, which look like a single large flower. Each flower head has two types of petals.
Flower Power
Around the outside of the flower head, there are 13 to 17 white petals. These are called ray flowers. They look like the rays of the sun. In the center of the flower head, you will see many small, yellow flowers. These are called disc flowers. Together, the white ray flowers and yellow disc flowers make the plant stand out.
Where Does It Live?
The Cronquist's woody-aster lives in a very specific part of Utah. It is found on the Kaiparowits Plateau. This plateau is a large, flat area of land that is higher than the land around it. It is located in Kane County, Utah.
High Up in Utah
This plant prefers to grow at high elevations. You can find it between 1,900 and 2,100 meters above sea level. That's about 6,200 to 6,900 feet high! This high-altitude home is part of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. This monument is a protected area. It helps to keep special plants like the Cronquist's woody-aster safe.
