Scientific Family
Asteraceae
Synonyms
Lygodesmia pauciflora, Ptiloria pauciflora, Stephanomeria cinerea
Other common names
desert straw
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Perennial
Similar species
Stephanomeria sp.
Height
To 2 feet
Riparian
No
A perennial with wiry stems and a slightly woody base; the basal leaves are pinnately lobed and stem leaves are bractlike; leaves have tufts of hair at the base; all leaves may be gone by flowering time; flower heads have 4-6 pinkish florets.
3 to 9 flowered flower heads, brown tinged bristles that are naked toward the base, distinguishes this from other Stephanomeria sp..
Habitat
Found along washes, on gravelly bajadas, plains, and arid mesas.
Plant Community
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Desert Scrub
Low elevation
600
High elevation
7000
Flower Characteristics
The flower heads are solitary at branch tips, lavender (light purple) with deep-pink stamens and 3/4 inch wide. The tips of the ray flowers are toothed.
Flower color
Light purple to pink
Flower shape
Daisy or dandelion-like
Tubular
Yes
First bloom month
April
Last bloom month
October
Flower clusters
None
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
The narrow, sharply lobed leaves are bluish-green with a whitish midrib. Leaves to 3 inches long at the base of the plant. Sparse, smaller leaves are on the upper stems.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Bluish-green
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Lobed
Leaves clasp
Yes
Leaf hairs
None
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Fruits have brownish, feathery bristles.
Fruit type
Achene
Fruit color
Pale brown