Scientific Family
Asteraceae
Synonyms
Senecio quercetorum
Other common names
Oak Creek groundsel
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
2 to 4 feet
Riparian
No
Taprooted. Yellow flower heads are clustered on erect stems with mostly basal leaves.
Stems up to 40 inches tall; leaf blades with few divisions, the terminal division 1 to 2 inches across; upper leaves much reduced; basal leaves sometimes dissected. Flower heads in loose clusters and usually have 13 yellow ray flowers. Leaf axils hairy.
Habitat
Oak woodland areas, rocky soils, open areas, scrub-oak and pinyon-pine forests, chaparral.
Plant Community
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Montane Conifer Forest
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Low elevation
3000
High elevation
7000
Flower Characteristics
Yellow rays with yellow discs; flower to 1-1/4 inches wide. Bracts 21, green with yellow tips.
Flower color
Yellow
Flower shape
Daisy or dandelion-like
Tubular
No
First bloom month
March
Last bloom month
May
Flower clusters
Rounded
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Leaves to 8 inches long, end lobe to 2 inches long, side lobes are shorter. Upper leaves are smaller and are clasping. Stems are reddish to purplish and are hollow.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Dark green
Leaf shape
Pinnatifid
Leaf margin
Lobed
Leaves clasp
Yes
Leaf hairs
Stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Fruit type
Achene