Scientific Family
Asteraceae
Synonyms
Kuhnia chlorolepis
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
To 5 feet
Riparian
No
Shrubby plant with green lance-shaped leaves and tubular shaped flower heads that branch out in loose clusters from the leaf axils.
More flowers are found at the top of the stems, becoming sparser going down the stem.
Pappi (tufted appendages that crown the ovary or fruit) are feather-like, Phyllaries (bracts subtending the flower head) slightly hairy,
green to sometimes purple-tinged, 3-7-striate and unequal.
Habitat
Open areas, canyons and arroyos in a wide range of soils.
Plant Community
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Desert Scrub
Low elevation
1300
High elevation
5500
Flower Characteristics
Flower heads are in loose clusters that branch from the leaf axils. The tubular shaped flower heads consist of green to purplish
bracts
topped by yellow to pinkish flowers.
Flower color
Yellow, pinkish
Flower shape
Daisy or dandelion-like
Tubular
No
First bloom month
May
Last bloom month
October
Flower clusters
Elongated
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Leaves are up to 4 inches long and 1/2 inch across, broader at the base, tapering to a point. Sometimes there are smaller leaves above the larger leaves.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Toothed
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves & stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Cylindrical with tufts of feathery hairs at one end.
Fruit type
Achene
Fruit color
Brown