|
|
Origin:
Native
Life Cycle:
Perennial Similar Species: Heterotheca villosa var. ballardii
General Desc:
Sprawling to upright with multiple stems growing from a woody base; forms round bushy clumps; leaves and stems sparsely to densely covered with short, fine gray or white hairs; 1 to many bright yellow daisies grow in branched clusters at the stem tops.
Identification notes: Leaf face moderately to densely hairy; involucres (bracts) of the flower head narrowly bell-shaped and often surpass the flower head; ray flowers not showy; flower head stems often abundantly hairy; distal leaf blades on the stems narrow to oblong.
Height:
To almost 2 feet
Habitat Description: Dry sandy soil, mesas, plains, roadsides, waste areas, crevices in granite and sandstone, loose rocky slopes, dry deep ravines, dry short grass, semi-barren grasslands, grassy areas with scattered sagebrush, Ponderosa pine, aspen and mountain mahogany.
Plant Communities:
Interior Chaparral, Semidesert Grasslands, Pinyon Juniper Woodland, Montane Conifer Forest, Disturbed Areas
Elevation: 3000 - 8500 feet
Color:
Yellow, brownish-yellow
Shape:
Daisy or dandelion-like in round clusters
Tubular:
N
Flowering Period:
Jul - Oct
Description:
Flowers grow from the upper leaf axils (between the leaf and stem) and are 3/4 to 1-1/2 inches across. The flower head consists of 10 to 35 yellow petals (ray flowers) which enclose a small center of 20 to 50 tiny brownish-yellow florets (disc flowers).
Leaf Color:
Green to grayish-green
Leaf Type:
Simple
Leaf Shape:
Narrow
Leaf Margin:
Smooth
Leaf Attachment:
Alternate
Leaves Clasp:
N
Hairs:
Leaves and stems
Spines:
N
Leaf Description:
Green to reddish-brown stems. Hairs on leaves varies but there's always a covering of short, soft gray or white hairs. Lower leaves have stalks, upper leaves are often stalkless, leaves 1 to 3 inches long. Stems and leaves have a sharp, spicy scent.
Fruit Color: Dull white to light brown
Fruit Type: Achene
Fruit Notes: The fruit of the disc flower is about 1/16 inch, 1-seeded, hard and dry; it does not split open to release the seed when ripe. The fruit has a narrow cone shape with tufts of dull white to light brown hairs attached at the top for wind dispersion.
Seed Notes: 1 tiny hard seed is produced in the fruit. The seed is attached to the thin inner wall of the fruit at a single point by a short stalk allowing it to be easily released.
|
|
