Mahi Kandage Journal Entry, Angiosperms native to Westford, MA

The phylogeny placement of the American Aster falls most closely within the Daisy family. Its most recent ancestors include the Smallhead, Purplestern, and Douglas asters. The Daisy family resides within a larger category of Eudicots, a subsect of flowering and seed plants.

The angiosperms in my observations all share a common adaptation crucial to their survival. All of these plants flower. Flowering, though also beautiful to look at, has a more important purpose: to help plants seed and reproduce. The flowering plants and their nectar invite insects and other animals to pollinate and help them reproduce.

The Dwarf dandelion, as pictured in one of my observations, has a unique adaptation to help it reproduce. The yellow dandelion flower transitions into the signature grey fluff. This fluff enables the dandelions seeds to be carried easily by the wind, enabling its reproduction without the help of an insect.

Posted on September 22, 2021 02:10 AM by mahikandage