Kingdom Plantae Tribe Inuleae Scientific name Micropus californicus Rank Species | Order Asterales Genus Micropus Higher classification Micropus | |
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Similar Micropus, Daisy family, Madia gracilis, Lepidium nitidum, Psilocarphus tenellus | ||
Micropus californicus is a plant in the daisy family which is known by the common name slender cottonweed. Its flowerheads resemble very small cotton balls, often rounded with cottony white hairs forming the pappus of each seed. The individual plants are known more informally as Q-tips due to their resemblance to the cotton swabs. It is found mostly in California, and into Oregon and northern Baja California. This plant is a resident of the vernal pool plant community.
References
Micropus californicus Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA