Scientific Family
Asteraceae
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
1 to 2 inches
Riparian
No
A very small perennial herb rarely more than 2 inches tall, forming a woody underground caudex (a base of the stem from which new leaves and stems arise). Found only in northern Arizona and only north of the Mogollon Rim.
Taprooted; stems, leaves sparsely hairy, leaves reduced or absent near flowers; basal leaves narrow, base pointed, often spatula-like; flower bracts in 3 to 4 layers, hairy, glandular; ray flowers white to pink, bend at tips; disc flower bristles 9 to 15.
Habitat
Crevices and ledges in canyons.
Plant Community
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Montane Conifer Forest
Low elevation
4300
High elevation
8500
Flower Characteristics
Bracts, purplish; mid-veins greenish-yellow; 1 flower head per stem; each head contains 20 to 29 white to pink ray florets, about 1/2 inch in diameter, surrounding many yellow disc florets.
Flower color
White to pink
Flower shape
Daisy or dandelion-like
Tubular
No
First bloom month
April
Last bloom month
July
Flower clusters
None
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Stems erect to ascending without hairs or glands; narrow basal leaves, base pointed, often spatula-like, 1/2 to 1-1/4 inches long and 1/8 inch wide; stem leaves similar to basal leaves but slightly smaller, margins smooth, fine to no hairs or glands.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Less than 1/16 inch long; 2-sided, with sparse stiff straight hairs, topped with 9 to 15 bristles.
Fruit type
Achene