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.

HELIANTHELLA

Perennial from taproot and caudex
Stems 1–several, erect
Leaves basal and cauline, alternate or opposite; petioles short to long; blades generally 3-veined, linear to ± ovate, entire, ± scabrous
Inflorescence: heads radiate, 1–few, in cymes; peduncles long, with 0–few leaf-like bracts; involucre hemispheric; phyllaries in 2–3 series, free; receptacle flat to ± convex, chaff scales folded around ovary, entire, obtuse, tip hairy
Ray flowers sterile; corolla yellow; style 0
Disk flowers many; corolla and anthers yellow or purple; style tips short-triangular
Fruit thick or compressed; pappus 0 or 2 awns 1–2 mm (sometimes also crown of low scales)
Species in genus: 8 species: w North America
Etymology: (Latin: diminutive of Helianthus )
Reference: [Weber 1952 Amer Midl Naturalist 48:1–35]

Native

H. californica A. Gray

Stems 1–6 dm, glabrous to coarsely hairy
Leaves: blades 0.5–4 cm wide, linear to oblanceolate
Inflorescence: peduncles 10–30 cm, sometimes ± scapose, ± short-hairy; involucre generally 1–2 cm diam; phyllaries seldom leaf-like, generally 1–2 cm, short-ciliate
Ray flowers 9–21; ligules generally 1–2 cm
Disk flowers: corollas 4–5 mm, yellow; anthers yellow to purple
Fruit 6–8 mm, obovate, thin, glabrous; pappus 0 or 2 awns or narrow scales, sometimes with crown of short scales
Ecology: Grassy sites, woodland, forest
Elevation: < 2600 m.
Bioregional distribution: Klamath Ranges, North Coast Ranges, Cascade Range, Sierra Nevada, s Peninsular Ranges
Distribution outside California: s Oregon

Native

var. shastensis W.A. Weber

Stems generally 1–3 dm
Leaves generally 0.5–1(4) cm wide, often linear; cauline few
Inflorescence: head generally 1; disk generally 1–1.5 cm diam
Fruit: pappus of 2 awns or narrow scales 1 mm
Ecology: Open forest
Elevation: 1000–2600 m.
Bioregional distribution: Klamath Ranges, Cascade Range
Horticultural information: TRY.