Annual with white flower heads at the ends of a few stems. Stems are weak and usually grow among shrubs for support. Sap is milky.
Stems very branched, hairless, weak, zigzag, hollow, purplish; leaves pinnatifid, lobes acute, sessile; flower heads solitary, at tips of branchlets, with purplish midribs; ray flowers white within, rose-tinged without, 1/2 to 3/4 inch long.
Habitat
Gravelly and sandy desert soils. Found on arid plains, mesas, and gentle slopes.
Flower Characteristics
Ray flower heads to 1-1/2 inches wide. Flower head bracts about 1 inch long, main bracts narrow with purplish midribs; ray flowers white above, rose-tinged below, outer ray flowers 1/2 to 3/4 inch long. Ray flowers pinched together at their base.
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Leaves to 6 inches long at base but smaller on the upper stem, clasping or short-stemmed, sharply incised (dissected).
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Narrowly elliptic, weakly ribbed, tapered to a beak, topped with silvery white, papery bristles.