Scientific Family
Asteraceae
Other common names
desert chickory
tackstem
white cupfruit
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Annual
Similar species
Calycoseris parryi
Height
2 to 12 inches
Riparian
Yes
Showy winter annual usually branched from base, with taproot and milky sap; distinguished by its flower heads of only ligulate florets (ray flowers); leaves and stems conspicuously dotted with straw-colored, sometimes whitish, stipitate (stalked) glands.
Winter annual; much branched from the base; flowers white fading to purple, ray flowers only; leaves finely divided; sprinkled with tack shaped glands above; fruit (achene) separates from pappus (white bristles) at maturity.
Habitat
Gravels derived from limestone, volcanics, granites and caliche soils on sandy plains, rocky mesas and slopes, stream bottoms, desert pavement and washes. Growing up through shrubs in springtime in lower elevations. Often found near creosote or mesquite.
Plant Community
Riparian
Grasslands
Disturbed Areas
Desert Scrub
Low elevation
1000
High elevation
4000
Flower Characteristics
Flower heads solitary, ends of branches; ligulate flowers (ray flowers only), 5-toothed, strap-shaped, 25 per head, on truncate tip (as if cut off at end), often with fine purplish veins, dots or streaks on lower surface. Flowers fade to purplish color.
Flower color
White to purplish
Flower shape
Daisy or dandelion-like
Tubular
No
First bloom month
March
Last bloom month
May
Flower clusters
None
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
In basal rosettes and alternate along the stems; leaves not stemmed; blades up to 4 inches long, pinnately divided into narrow lobes, lobes opposite like a feather, 1/16 inch or less; upper leaves smaller and not lobed.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Pinnatifid
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves & stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Achenes tapered at both ends, 5-ribbed, shallowly grooved, faces slightly wrinkled, 1/4 inch long, tapering into slender prolonged tip which expands into a small cup with many small teeth; pappus at base of achene (smooth white bristles).
Fruit type
Achene
Fruit color
Brown