Scientific Family
Asteraceae
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Annual
Height
1 to 7 inches
Riparian
No
Bright, large flowers can occur in patches of just a few plants or in massive colonies.
Flowerhead bracts 26 to 30 plus in 3 or more series, unequal and 1-nerved; flowerheads are borne singly; base of disc flowers have scales; leaves are mostly on the stems.
Habitat
Sandy and red clay soils in mesquite scrub and on open slopes.
Plant Community
Desert Scrub
Grasslands
Interior Chaparral
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Low elevation
3200
High elevation
4700
Flower Characteristics
Ray flowers are generally brilliant white but can be tinged with pink, particularly on the back side. They can have 12 to 30 ray florets in each flower head.
Flower color
Pinkish-white to purple
Flower shape
Daisy or dandelion-like
Tubular
No
First bloom month
April
Last bloom month
June
Flower clusters
None
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Stems may be erect, but are more commonly prostrate. The leaves are fleshy.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Round or oval
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves & stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Fruit type
Achene
Fruit color
Brown
Silvery hairs help the seeds to be wind dispersed.