TREATMENT FROM THE JEPSON MANUAL (1993) |
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©Copyright 1993 by the Regents of the University of California
For up-to-date information about California vascular plants, visit the Jepson eFlora. |
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Annual to tree
Leaves basal or cauline, alternate to whorled, simple to compound
Inflorescence: 1° inflorescence a head, each resembling a flower, 1many, generally arrayed in cymes, generally subtended by ± calyx-like involucre; flowers 1many 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)45; stamens 45, 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):128. See glossary p. 25 for illustrations of general family characteristics.
Annual, perennial herb, sometimes woody at base, often aromatic, glabrous or hairy
Stems decumbent or erect, branched
Leaves alternate, dissected
Inflorescence: heads disciform, radiate, or discoid, fewmany; phyllaries in 23 overlapping series; receptacle convex to conic, generally dotted with tubercles
Pistillate or ray flowers many; corollas tubular or with inconspicuous to well developed ligules, yellow or white
Disk flowers many; corollas tubular, yellow; anther tips ovate, bases rounded or ± cordate; style branches truncate with shrub-like tips
Fruit generally 310-ribbed; pappus a crown of short scales
Species in genus: 70 species: Eur, Asia, North America
Etymology: (Latin: immortality)
See also Sphaeromeria.
Introduced |
Perennial, coarse, aromatic, glabrous to sparsely hairy; rhizome stout, creeping
Stems < 1 m, ridged, leafy, branched
Leaves 410 cm, ovate in outline, sessile or short-petioled, pinnately divided; 1° leaf divisions generally 410 pairs, lanceolate, regularly toothed or lobed, gland-dotted
Inflorescence: heads disciform, < 70 in a much divided, generally flat-topped cluster; phyllaries in 3 series, outermost lanceolate, inner oblong
Pistillate flowers: corollas 34-lobed, yellow
Disk flowers: corollas 23 mm, yellow
Fruit 1 mm, 5-angled, gland-dotted; pappus a narrow-toothed crown
Chromosomes: 2n=18
Ecology: Uncommon. Escape from cultivated in disturbed, generally urban areas
Elevation:
Bioregional distribution: North Coast, Outer North Coast Ranges, High Cascade Range, Outer South Coast Ranges
Distribution outside California: native to Europe
TOXIC: dried leaves and flowers have been used medicinally, especially in home remedies; overdoses may be very toxic; also causes contact dermatitis .