Grows several feet high and wide in a bushy shape with numerous bright yellow to orange flower heads which often have fairly erect ray flowers. Flowers release a strange and strong medicinal smell.
Biennial; stems smooth; leaves alternate, pinnately lobed, margins toothed, stem leaves glandular; flower heads yellow to orange, in loose, rounded clusters, ray flowers only, bracts have erect tips; some sources treat as variation of G. arizonica.
Habitat
Open, rocky slopes, mesas, ridges, canyons, fields, stream banks. Old fields, forest/woodland, forest edge and conifer.
Flower Characteristics
Several to numerous flower heads; yellow to orange ray florets up to 1/2 inch in length; flower heads are 1/2 to 2-3/4 inches wide; bracts of heads gummy and strongly curled; resin covering the flowers and flower buds are thick and milky.
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Several stems from same base; narrow, linear leaf blades, 1 to 2-3/4 inches long; edges irregular and finely slashed; pale green, smooth. deep narrow irregular segments
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Single-seeded; 1/16 to 1/4 inch long; does not open when dispersed.