ASTERACEAE

SUNFLOWER FAMILY

David J. Keil, Family Editor and author, except as specified

Annual to tree
Leaves basal or cauline, alternate to whorled, simple to compound
Inflorescence: 1° inflorescence a head, each resembling a flower, 1–many, generally arrayed in cymes, generally subtended by ± calyx-like involucre; flowers 1–many per head
Flowers bisexual, unisexual, or sterile, ± small, of several types; calyx 0 or modified into pappus of bristles, scales, or awns, which is generally persistent in fruit; corolla radial or bilateral (rarely 0), lobes generally (0)4–5; stamens 4–5, anthers generally fused into cylinder around style, often appendaged at tips, bases, or both, filaments generally free, generally attached to corolla near throat; pistil 1, ovary inferior, 1-chambered, 1-seeded, style 1, branches 2, generally hair-tufted at tip, stigmas 2, generally on inside of style branches
Fruit: achene, cylindric to ovoid, generally deciduous with pappus attached
Genera in family: ± 1300 genera, 21,000 species (largest family of dicots): worldwide. Largest family in CA. Also see tribal key to CA genera: Strother 1997 Madroño 44(1):1–28. See glossary p. 25 for illustrations of general family characteristics.

GRINDELIA

GUMPLANT

Meredith A. Lane

Biennial to subshrub from taproot or woody caudex, glabrous to tomentose or glandular-sticky
Leaves entire to pinnately lobed, generally clasping, gland-dotted
Inflorescence: heads generally radiate, 1–many; involucres obconic to hemispheric, generally gummy; phyllaries in 4–10 series, bases generally tough, tips green; receptacle flat to convex, naked, ± pitted
Ray flowers 0–many; ligules yellow
Disk flowers: corollas yellow; style appendages linear to lanceolate, generally = or > stigmatic portion
Fruit cylindric or swollen-obconic, shiny white to ± brown, glabrous, smooth to ridged; pappus of 1–6 awns ± < disk corollas, generally < 0.2 mm wide, generally U-shaped in X -section, generally entire, deciduous
Species in genus: ± 80 species: c&w North America, South America
Etymology: (D.H. Grindel, 1776–1836, Latvian botanist)
Hybrids common.

Native

G. hirsutula Hook. & Arn.

Perennial 2–15 dm, erect, few-branched above, green to red-purple or -brown, glabrous to tomentose
Leaf 1–10 cm, oblong to lanceolate, entire to lobed (less so upward) yellow-, red-, or gray-green
Inflorescence: heads often subtended by phyllary-like bracts; involucres 7–32 mm diam, hemispheric to bell-shaped; phyllaries 4–5 series, generally lanceolate-acute, outer erect to reflexed
Ray flowers 10–60+; ligules 8–20 mm
Disk flowers many; throat narrow
Fruit 2.5–5.5 mm, golden- to red-brown, smooth to ridged; pappus awns flat
Chromosomes: 2n=12,24
Ecology: Sandy, clay, or serpentine slopes or roadsides
Elevation: < 1700 m.
Bioregional distribution: North Coast Ranges, n&c Sierra Nevada Foothills, Sacramento Valley, Central Western California, Western Transverse Ranges, Peninsular Ranges, Sonoran Desert
Distribution outside California: to British Columbia?
Varieties (except hallii ) intergrade.

Native

var. hallii (Steyerm.) M.A. Lane

SAN DIEGO GUMPLANT

Plant 2–6 dm, generally white to coppery
Leaf light yellowish green
Inflorescence: heads generally not subtended by bracts; involucre generally 8–12 mm diam; phyllaries erect to ± recurved
Ray flowers generally 12–20; ligules 8–9 mm
Fruit 4.5–5 mm
Chromosomes: 2n=6
Ecology: Meadows, dry slopes, open pine/oak woodlands
Elevation: 800–1700 m.
Bioregional distribution: Peninsular Ranges, w Sonoran Desert (San Diego Co.)
Flowering time: Jul–Oct
Synonyms: G. hallii Steyerm
Horticultural information: In cultivation.