Helianthella californica
Encyclopedia
Helianthella californica is a species of flowering plant in the sunflower family
known by the common name California helianthella. This wildflower is native to the mountains of California
and Oregon
. It is a taproot
ed perennial herb producing erect stems up to about 60 centimeters tall. The many lance-shaped leaves are up to 4 centimeters wide and smooth or slightly toothed along the edges. The inflorescence
holds one or more sunflower-like flower heads
. Each head has a center of golden disc florets with purple or reddish parts, and a fringe of yellow ray florets one or two centimeters long.
Asteraceae
The Asteraceae or Compositae , is an exceedingly large and widespread family of vascular plants. The group has more than 22,750 currently accepted species, spread across 1620 genera and 12 subfamilies...
known by the common name California helianthella. This wildflower is native to the mountains of California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
and Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
. It is a taproot
Taproot
A taproot is an enlarged, somewhat straight to tapering plant root that grows vertically downward. It forms a center from which other roots sprout laterally.Plants with taproots are difficult to transplant...
ed perennial herb producing erect stems up to about 60 centimeters tall. The many lance-shaped leaves are up to 4 centimeters wide and smooth or slightly toothed along the edges. The inflorescence
Inflorescence
An inflorescence is a group or cluster of flowers arranged on a stem that is composed of a main branch or a complicated arrangement of branches. Strictly, it is the part of the shoot of seed plants where flowers are formed and which is accordingly modified...
holds one or more sunflower-like flower heads
Head (botany)
The capitulum is considered the most derived form of inflorescence. Flower heads found outside Asteraceae show lesser degrees of specialization....
. Each head has a center of golden disc florets with purple or reddish parts, and a fringe of yellow ray florets one or two centimeters long.