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.

HYMENOPAPPUS

Biennial, perennial herb from taproot bearing 1–several caudices
Stems erect
Leaves simple to 2-pinnately dissected; basal and alternate, reduced upward, gland-dotted
Inflorescence: heads radiate or discoid, in few–many-headed panicles; involucre obconic to widely bell-shaped; phyllaries in 2–3 series, ± equal, scarious-margined; receptacle flat or rounded, generally naked
Ray flowers 0 (in CA) or 8; ligules white
Disk flowers 10–many; corollas yellow, white, or reddish purple, tube slender, throat abruptly enlarged, lobes triangular, reflexed; style branches obtuse
Fruit obpyramidal, 4-angled; pappus 0 or of many thin, transparent, linear-oblong to ovate, obtuse scales
Species in genus: 10 species: North America
Etymology: (Greek: membranous pappus)
Reference: [Turner 1956 Rhodora 58:163–186, 208–242, 250–269, 295–308]

Native

H. filifolius Hook.

Perennial 0.5–10 dm, ± glabrous to densely tomentose
Leaves: basal 3–20 cm, 2-pinnately dissected into 2–50 mm linear or thread-like segments, minutely gland-dotted; cauline 0 or few, generally much reduced upwards
Inflorescence: heads discoid, 1–many; peduncles 0.5–16 cm; principal phyllaries 3–14 mm, 2–5 mm wide, margin white or yellowish scarious for 1–4 mm from acute to obtuse tip; flowers 10–70 per head
Flowers: corollas 2–7 mm, yellow or white
Fruit 3–7 mm, densely short-hairy; pappus scales 12–22, generally linear-oblong
Ecology: Many ± dry habitats, sometimes on limestone
Elevation: ± 1000–3000 m.
Bioregional distribution: Transverse Ranges, Peninsular Ranges, White and Inyo Mountains, Desert Mountains
Distribution outside California: to Washington, South Dakota, Colorado, Arizona, n Mexico

Native

var. eriopodus (A. Nelson) B.L. Turner

Plant 4–8 dm, ± tomentose below, becoming glabrous above
Leaves: basal 10–20 cm, divisions 10–20 mm, 0.4–1 mm wide, thread-like; cauline 2–7, generally glossy green
Inflorescence: heads 3–8; peduncles 8–16 cm; main phyllaries 7–10 mm, 2–4 mm wide
Flowers: corollas 4–5 mm, ± white; anthers 3–4 mm
Fruit 5.5–6 mm, evenly hairy; hairs 0.5–1.5 mm
Ecology: Limestone soil, with pines, junipers
Elevation: 1600–1700 m.
Bioregional distribution: e Desert Mountains (Clark, New York mtns)
Distribution outside California: s Nevada, sw Utah
Flowering time: May–Jun, Oct