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.

SOLIDAGO

GOLDENROD

John C. Semple

Perennial from woody caudex or rhizome, branched above
Leaves alternate, resinous, often sessile
Inflorescence: heads radiate, few–many, in ± flat-topped to panicle-like, often ± 1-sided clusters; involucre cylindric to bell-shaped (wider when dry); phyllaries in 3–5 graduated, overlapping series, midrib generally ± swollen, translucent
Ray flowers few–many; ligules yellow
Disk flowers few–many; corollas yellow, generally glabrous; style branches finely papillate, appendage triangular
Fruit obconic, compressed; pappus of 25–45 long-barbed bristles in 1 series
Species in genus: ± 150 species: especially North America (South America, Eurasia)
Etymology: (Greek: make-well, from purported medicinal value)
Reference: [Semple et al. 1990 Can J Bot 68:2070–2082]

Native

S. guiradonis A. Gray

GUIRADO'S GOLDENROD

Plant generally ± glabrous
Stems < 13 dm, from short caudex, often slender
Leaves: lowest largest, 5–20 cm, (very) narrowly oblanceolate, entire, often ± fleshy, base nearly sheathing; uppermost reduced to linear scales, often with axillary leaf-clusters
Inflorescence narrow; heads few–many; involucre 2.5–4 mm; phyllaries very narrowly triangular, inrolled near tip, sharply acute, outer 1/3–1/2 length inner, midrib generally enlarged, translucent
Ray flowers 8–10; ligules 1–2.5 mm
Disk flowers 10–20; corollas ± 3–4 mm
Fruit 1–1.5 mm, ± strigose
Chromosomes: 2n=18
Ecology: Near streams in asbestos-laden soils
Elevation: 600–900 m.
Bioregional distribution: s Inner South Coast Ranges (San Benito, Fresno cos.)
Horticultural information: In cultivation.