Scientific Family
Asteraceae
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Annual
Height
4 to 20 inches
Riparian
No
Slender, smooth, gray stems are usually branched from the base.
Very short ray flowers, little exceeding the involucre (bracts); principle bracts in 1 series; numerous flowers on an elongate stem; numerous lobed basal leaves distinguish this from other Malacothrix sp.
Habitat
Sandy soils. Also found in dry, rocky limestone.
Plant Community
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Disturbed Areas
Desert Scrub
Low elevation
2500
High elevation
6600
Flower Characteristics
Inflorescence is a loose array of flower heads.
Flower color
Pale yellow or whitish-yellow
Flower shape
Daisy or dandelion-like
Tubular
No
First bloom month
March
Last bloom month
May
Flower clusters
Elongated
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Basal leaves are pinnatifid and lobed while the upper leaves are lance-shaped with toothed or serrated edges.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Pinnatifid
Leaf margin
Lobed
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
None
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Has veins on the surface which extend to the tip.
Fruit type
Achene
Fruit color
Light brown