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 Flower head Aspen Creek TrSue Smith |  Leaf Aspen Creek TrSue Smith |  Plant - summer Aspen Creek TrSue Smith |  Plant - summer Aspen Creek TrSue Smith |  Hairy stem Aspen Creek TrSue Smith | |
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Origin:
Native
Life Cycle:
Perennial
General Desc:
Erect, deeply woody rooted perennial of leafy stems with large bright yellow-orange flower clusters. A host plant for gray hairstreak and monarch butterfly caterpillars. Lacks milky sap.
Identification notes: Perennial; stems erect; leaves irregularly alternate; leaves narrow, taper to a point at both ends; flowers in flat or rounded terminal and lateral clusters; 5 erect, orange to reddish or yellowish petals, orange to yellow horn-like appendages (hoods).
Height:
1 to 2-1/2 feet
Habitat Description: Prefers well-drained sandy soils. Tolerates drought. Chaparral to riparian woodlands, clearings in pine forests and disturbed areas.
Plant Communities:
Interior Chaparral, Pinyon Juniper Woodland, Montane Conifer Forest, Riparian, Disturbed Areas
Elevation: 3000 - 8000 feet
Color:
Orange to reddish or yellow
Shape:
Regular in round clusters
Tubular:
N
Flowering Period:
May - Sep
Description:
Large flat, round, 2 to 3 inches wide clusters of 3/8 inch wide flowers. The flower parts are 5 sepals, 5 petals, a crown (corona) arising from the middle of the petals, 5 upright hoods that look like petals and pointed horns.
Leaf Color:
Light green
Leaf Type:
Simple
Leaf Shape:
Narrow
Leaf Margin:
Smooth
Leaf Attachment:
Alternate
Leaves Clasp:
N
Hairs:
Leaves and stems
Spines:
N
Leaf Description:
Narrow, 2 to 6 inches long leaves that are irregularly alternate, usually crowded and distinctly short-stemmed.
Fruit Color: Green turning brown
Fruit Type: Pod
Fruit Notes: Erect, narrow green pod, turning brown, 6 inches long, covered with fine hairs. Pods are in small clusters.
Seed Notes: Large flat brown seeds with silky hairs that parachute them away from the plant.
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