Scientific Family
Asteraceae
Synonyms
Dyssodia acerosa
Other common names
needleleaf dogweed
pricleleaf dogweed
shrubby dogweed
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
To 8 inches
Riparian
No
Plant grows from a woody stem with several branches near the base, forming a low mound. It has many slender, sharp-pointed leaves less than 1 inch long. Bright yellow daisy-like flowers cover the plant. Foliage has a disagreeable odor when handled.
Leaves entire, narrowly linear and needle-like; the stems are woody at the base.
Habitat
Washes, dry rocky slopes, mesas, limestone soils.
Plant Community
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Desert Scrub
Low elevation
3200
High elevation
6000
Flower Characteristics
Usually 8 yellow ray flowers and slightly darker yellow disc flowers. Flower bracts are dotted with yellowish glands. The flowers are to 3/4 inch long at the ends of short stems.
Flower color
Yellow
Flower shape
Daisy or dandelion-like
Tubular
No
First bloom month
March
Last bloom month
October
Flower clusters
None
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Leaves are needle-like and dotted with yellowish glands. Mostly opposite to 1/2 inch long all along the stems.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Dark green
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves & stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
1/8 inch long, finely striate with sparse hairs. Yellowish pappus bristles to 3/16 inch long.
Fruit type
Achene