Scientific Family
Asteraceae
Other common names
sunflower goldeneye
plateau goldeneye
goldeneye
Chimalacate
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
To 6 feet
Riparian
No
Bushy, branching plant that tends to grow in colonies. Its leaves are triangular and its numerous yellow, 1-1/2 inch, daisy-like flowers appear at the tips of long, slender, leafless stalks.
Bract tips abruptly narrowed to pointed or rounded. Bract bases broad, hardened, tips herbaceous. Hairy staminal filaments distinguish this species from other Viguiera
Habitat
Woodlands edge, openings, dry slopes, canyons, fields, roadside ditches.
Plant Community
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Montane Conifer Forest
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Disturbed Areas
Desert Scrub
Low elevation
300
High elevation
7500
Flower Characteristics
The yellow flowers are daisy-like with a small notch at the tip of each petal. Each flower sits atop a long, leafless stalk. The stalks are in loose clusters at the top of stems.
Flower color
Yellow
Flower shape
Daisy or dandelion-like
Tubular
No
First bloom month
June
Last bloom month
October
Flower clusters
Other
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Leaves are broad at the base, tapering to a point at the end with serrated edges. They are 1 to 6 inches long.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Triangular
Leaf margin
Toothed
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves & stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Each flower produces numerous achenes. The top of each achene consists of 2 long, sharp spines and a ring of 4 jagged scales.
Fruit type
Achene
Fruit color
Black
Each achene contains 1 seed.