Scientific Family
Asteraceae
Synonyms
Eremiastrum bellioides
Other common names
desert star
desertstar
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Annual
Similar species
Monoptilon bellidiforme
Height
< 1 inch
Riparian
No
Compact, often short trailing growth form; leaves somewhat thickened, covered with stiff, white hairs; flowers relatively large daisy-like with white rays, often tinged with pinkish-purple and yellow disc flowers.
Winter annual; often trailing; stems often reddish; leaves narrow, thickened, covered by stiff, white hairs; flowers of white ray flowers, often tinged with pinkish-purple, yellow disc flowers; achenes 2-nerved topped by several slender scales, bristles.
Habitat
Loam, sandy loam, loamy sand, sand, rocky soils on flats, dunes, deserts and washes.
Plant Community
Interior Chaparral
Desert Scrub
Low elevation
1000
High elevation
3500
Flower Characteristics
Solitary flower heads of white ray flowers, often tinged with pinkish-purple, yellow disc flowers; bracts many in 1 series, equal, folded, with pointed tips, form bell-shaped cups that hold the flower heads.
Flower color
White, pinkish-purple, yellow
Flower shape
Daisy or dandelion-like
Tubular
No
First bloom month
February
Last bloom month
April
Flower clusters
None
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Leaves thickish, narrow to spatula-like, obtuse to somewhat pointed, <1/2 inch long, covered with stiff, white hairs, margins smooth, upper leaves often clustered and just below the flower heads.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Achene 2-nerved, compressed, oblong to rounded, with fine hairs slightly pressed to the achene, topped with several bristles of unequal lengths, plus sometimes a few scales.
Fruit type
Achene
Fruit color
Light brown