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Eriophyllum multicaule - manystem woolly sunflower

Scientific Family
Asteraceae
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Annual
Height
2 to 6 Inches
Riparian
No

Small, branching, clump-forming forb; fleshy stems; small leaves sometimes woolly with 3 small teeth at the end; clusters of tiny flower heads at the ends of the stems.

Annual; stems thick, tender, spreading, green to purple, often becoming hairless; leaves 3-lobed, wedge shaped, woolly; flower heads clustered at the tip of stem and branches; ray flowers without stalks.

Habitat

Sandy openings in chaparral or coastal scrublands.

Plant Community
Desert Scrub
Grasslands
Interior Chaparral
Low elevation
0
High elevation
5300

Flower Characteristics

Flower heads stalkless in leafy clusters at branch tips; bell-shaped bracts 1/8 to 1/4 inch; 5 to 7 ray flowers, 1/16 inch in diameter surround 13 to 25 disc flowers.

Flower color
Yellow
Flower shape
Daisy or dandelion-like
Tubular
No
First bloom month
March
Last bloom month
June
Flower clusters
Rounded

Leaf and Stem Characteristics

Woolly stem becoming nearly hairless below, widely spreading from base; woolly leaves, wedge-shaped about 3/4 inch long, with 3 lobes.

Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Greenish
Leaf shape
Other
Leaf margin
Lobed
Leaf attachment
Alternate
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves & stems
Spines
No

Fruit and Seed Characteristics

1/16 inch long; sparsely hairy or hairless, <1/16 inch long scales top the achene.

Fruit type
Achene
Fruit color
Brownish