coastal plain yellowtops vs Polar bear

Flaveria bidentis compared with Ursus maritimus

Key Differences

• coastal plain yellowtops is Not Evaluated while Polar bear is Vulnerable.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	coastal plain yellowtops	Polar bear
Kingdom	Plantae (Plants)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum	Magnoliophyta (Flowering Plants)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class	Magnoliopsida (Dicots)	Mammalia (Mammals)
Order	Asterales (Daisies & Sunflowers)	Carnivora (Carnivorans)
Family	Asteraceae (Daisy Family)	Ursidae (Bears)
Genus	Flaveria	Ursus (Bears)
Species	Flaveria bidentis	Ursus maritimus

Conservation Status

coastal plain yellowtops

NE — Not Evaluated

Polar bear

VU — Vulnerable

Population: ~26.0K

Trend: Decreasing ↓

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	coastal plain yellowtops	Polar bear
Diet	—	Carnivore
Average Lifespan	—	25 years
Average Length	—	2.4 m
Average Weight	—	450.0 kg

Habitat & Geographic Range

coastal plain yellowtops

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial habitats from tropical forests to temperate regions.

Range

Widely distributed across Africa (6 countries), Asia (4 countries), Europe (8 countries), and South America (Brazil).

Polar bear

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including temperate broadleaf and mixed forests, temperate coniferous forests, and boreal forests and taiga, among 4 distinct biome types within the Palearctic biogeographic realm. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Found in Norway. Currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

coastal plain yellowtops

Coastal plain yellowtops (Flaveria bidentis) is an annual herb in the family Asteraceae, native to South America, particularly Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile, but widely naturalised across subtropical and warm temperate regions worldwide, including parts of Africa, Europe, and Asia. It grows in disturbed coastal plains, roadsides, agricultural margins, and sandy soils near the coast. The plant bears clusters of small yellow flowerheads in dense corymbs, blooming from summer to autumn. Flaveria bidentis is scientifically notable as one of the few species in the genus confirmed to use C4 photosynthesis, a more efficient carbon fixation pathway typically associated with hot, arid environments. This physiological trait contributes to its competitiveness as a ruderal weed. Plants grow erect to around 1 metre, with serrate opposite leaves. It is considered a weed in some agricultural systems but poses no major conservation concerns. Its IUCN status is Not Evaluated, consistent with its ruderal, widespread, and self-sustaining nature. Research on the genus Flaveria has contributed significantly to understanding the evolution of C4 photosynthesis.

Polar bear

The largest land carnivore on Earth, polar bears can exceed 700 kg and are found across Arctic sea ice from Canada to Russia. Highly specialized marine mammals that rely on sea ice to hunt ringed and bearded seals. Excellent swimmers capable of covering vast distances in open water. Listed as Vulnerable, with populations under severe pressure from rapid Arctic sea ice loss due to climate change.