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. |
AND IS MAINTAINED FOR ARCHIVAL PURPOSES ONLY |
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.
Species in genus: 1 sp.: sw US
Etymology: (Greek: chicory-like plant without pappus)
Native |
Annual, 218 dm, glabrous; sap milky
Stem erect
Leaves: basal and lowest cauline generally flat against soil, sessile or tapering to a short, winged petiole, 310 cm, obovate, obtuse, finely dentate, gray-green, often purple-tinged, especially below; cauline few, reduced to inconspicuous, triangular scales
Inflorescence: heads ligulate, 1.52.5 cm diam, fewmany in an open scapose cyme; involucre 610 mm; phyllaries in 24 series, outer short, triangular to lanceolate, inner 1015, ± equal; receptacle naked
Flowers fragrant; ligules white, readily withering
Fruit 44.5 mm with 5 thick, corky ribs, whitish; pappus 0
Chromosomes: 2n=18
Ecology: Desert valleys and washes
Elevation: < 1400 m.
Bioregional distribution: Desert
Distribution outside California: to Utah, Arizona
Flowering time: Mostly MarMay
Horticultural information: TRY.