Scientific Family
Asteraceae
Synonyms
Frenseria confertiflora
Other common names
slimleaf bursage
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
1 to 3 feet
Riparian
Yes
An erect, leafy somewhat bushy herb which can form large colonies.
Leaf blades are lanceolate to ovate and irregularly 2 to 4 pinnately lobed. Involucres (whorled bracts) of staminate (stamens without pistels) heads are 1/16 to 1/8 + inches in diameter. Spines of burs are awl shaped with hooked tips.
Habitat
Grows in a variety of moisture and soil conditions. Usually found in open scrub and waste areas.
Plant Community
Riparian
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Montane Conifer Forest
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Disturbed Areas
Desert Scrub
Low elevation
1000
High elevation
7000
Flower Characteristics
Small heads of tiny male flowers, each head enclosed in a drooping green cup. Female heads are clustered in the leaf axil below the male head. Flowers are wind pollinated.
Flower color
Dull yellow to greenish
Flower shape
Daisy or dandelion-like
Tubular
No
First bloom month
April
Last bloom month
November
Flower clusters
Rounded
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Leaves can appear gray because of the many hairs and are 2 to 5 inches long. Narrow stems at ends of fuzzy, green and erect branches.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Light green
Leaf shape
Pinnatifid
Leaf margin
Lobed
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves & stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Fruits are beak-tipped and armed with 5 to 12 curved spines.
Fruit type
Achene
Fruit color
Light brown (tan)
The plant reproduces from both seeds and rootstock. Each bur contains 1 to 2 seeds.