Scientific Family
Asteraceae
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
10 to 24 inches
Riparian
Yes
Resembles numerous other sunflower-like plants of the asteraceae family; identifying features include long, quite well-separated hairs along the leaf edges and the reddish-green stems, and the relatively large leaves that grow right beneath the flower.
The entire margins of the leaves bear firm, stiff hairs and the flowers are subtended by 1 to 4 leaf-like ovate to narrowly lanceolate bracts distinguishes this from Heterotheca villosa.
Habitat
Riparian zones in ponderosa pine and Douglas fir forests, grassy clearings in ponderosa pine forest, lower spruce-fir zone, sandy riverbanks, roadsides, coarse sandy granitic soils with gravel, crushed lava gravelly soils, moist disturbed soils.
Plant Community
Riparian
Montane Conifer Forest
Disturbed Areas
Low elevation
4000
High elevation
11000
Flower Characteristics
Ray flowers usually number between 11 and 21, disc flowers between 26 and 66.
Flower color
Bright yellow
Flower shape
Daisy or dandelion-like
Tubular
No
First bloom month
June
Last bloom month
October
Flower clusters
Rounded
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Lanceolate, alternate, hairy, up to 2 inches long, tapering to a short spine. Relatively large leaves grow right beneath the flower-head, projecting out beyond the petals.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Round or oval
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Fruit type
Achene
Fruit color
Whiteish