Scientific Family
Asteraceae
Synonyms
Malacothrix californica var. glabrata
Other common names
desert dandelion
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Annual
Height
To 15 inches
Riparian
No
Flowers resemble dandelions in shape, difference is that leaves of the desert dandelion are finely divided into long, thin, linear lobes. The name glabrata refers to the leaves being nearly hairless.
Annual; stems ascending to erect, hairless to lightly hairy near base; sparse green leaves, alternate, mainly basal; 30 to 140 ray flowers, pale yellow, white; flat tips, 4 small notches, extending to lengthwise grooves, red spot shows if fully opened.
Habitat
Sandy and gravelly plains, rocky hillsides and mesas.
Plant Community
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Desert Scrub
Low elevation
0
High elevation
7000
Flower Characteristics
Center of flower has a red dot; flowers yellow or white when fully mature; flowers mingle with numerous branched yellow stamens; petals and stamens become shorter towards the middle; flowers about 1-1/2 inches in diameter.
Flower color
Pale yellow, white, red
Flower shape
Daisy or dandelion-like
Tubular
No
First bloom month
March
Last bloom month
June
Flower clusters
None
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Basal leaves oblong with pointed end at base, hairless, to 5 inches, deeply lobed with narrow, wide-spreading 1 inch segments; upper leaves divided into 3 to 6 pairs of very narrow string-like lobes.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Lobed
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
None
Spines
Yes
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
1/16 to 1/8 inch; finely and evenly 15-ribbed; topped with bristles.
Fruit type
Achene