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.

AGOSERIS

Kenton L. Chambers

Annual or perennial herb, generally scapose; sap milky
Leaves ± basal, narrow, entire to pinnately lobed
Inflorescence: head 1, ligulate, erect, 8–60 mm; phyllaries subequal or overlapping in 2–4 series, inner often elongated in fruit; receptacle flat, naked
Flowers generally many; ligules = to >> involucre, yellow or red-orange, readily withering, outer ± reddish below
Fruit linear to fusiform, ± 10-ribbed; beak often = or >> body; pappus of many fine, simple, white bristles
Species in genus: ± 10 species: Am
Etymology: (Greek: goat chicory)
Reference: [Q. Jones 1954 PhD Harvard U.]
Like Taraxacum but closely related to Nothocalais. Hybrids and polyploidy complicate variation in some species

Native

A. apargioides (Less.) Greene

Perennial 10–45 cm, decumbent to erect
Leaves variable; tip often obtuse, glabrous to soft- or rough-hairy
Inflorescence: base of head tomentose; involucre 8–20 mm; phyllaries overlapping in 3–4 series, outer oblong-lanceolate, < 1/2 inner, glabrous to tomentose, glandular or not
Flowers many, > involucre; ligules yellow
Fruit: body 3–6 mm, fusiform; ribs narrow, generally straight; beak 2 X body
Ecology: Generally coastal dunes, grassland, open woodland, in sandy or clay soil
Elevation: < 500 m.
Bioregional distribution: North Coast, Outer North Coast Ranges, Central Coast, San Francisco Bay Area, Outer South Coast Ranges, n Channel Islands
Distribution outside California: to Washington
Hybridizes with A. heterophylla. Varieties weak, ± ecologically defined.