Scientific Family
Asteraceae
Synonyms
Senecio decorticans
Other common names
Lemmon groundsel
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
8 to 40 inches tall
Riparian
No
Erect or ascendingly branched perennial from woody taproots, 8 to 40 inches tall, herbage smooth or with tufts of white hairs in leaf axils; stems smooth, unevenly reddish.
Subshrub, branches upward; leaves stemmed or not stemmed, lance-like, bases of middle leaves wider, clasping, stem leaves mostly similar in size; leaf axils have tufts of white hairs; 4 to 12 flower heads in rounded clusters, ray and disc flowers yellow.
Habitat
Found on dry hillsides and rock slopes, usually among shrubs.
Plant Community
Desert Scrub
Low elevation
2500
High elevation
3500
Flower Characteristics
Usually 4 to 12 flowers in rounded clusters, radiate, 1/2 inch high; small bracts around the calyx; phyllaries 21, tips often with minute black dots; 12 to 18 ray flowers, rays 1/2 inch long; spreading but soon curled downward.
Flower color
Yellow
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
No
First bloom month
February
Last bloom month
May
Flower clusters
Rounded
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Evenly distributed, with narrow blades, 1 to 4 inches long, 1/2 to 3/4 inch wide, tapered bases or rounded ear-like appendages, margins unevenly toothed, upper leaves stemless; lower leaves with stems about equaling leaves.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Toothed
Leaves clasp
Yes
Leaf hairs
Leaves & stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Hairy achenes, 1/16 inch long, almost round, weakly 8 to 10 ribbed and minutely hairy with short, stiff, ascending, grayish hairs.
Fruit type
Achene