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 or perennial herb < 60 dm, generally ± branched, generally erect; sap milky
Leaves generally basal and cauline, alternate, sessile, generally reduced upward
Inflorescence: heads ligulate, 210 mm diam; involucre 520 mm, generally bell-shaped; phyllaries in 36 series; receptacle naked or with fragile bristles < 5 mm
Flowers: corollas readily withering; ligules yellow or white, generally ± purple-striped below
Fruit generally fusiform, straw-colored to purple-brown, truncate; veins 15 (5 generally prominent, 10 sometimes obscure); outer pappus ± 0 or of 06 smooth, persistent bristles, inner 1232 bristles fused at base, readily deciduous, minutely barbed below
Species in genus: 21 species: w North America, s South America
Etymology: (Greek: soft hair)
Reference: [Williams 1957 Am Midland Naturalist 58:494517]
Native |
Perennial 1270 cm, mounded, glabrous to densely hairy
Leaves: basal and cauline similar, obovate, entire or (generally blunt-)lobed
Inflorescence: heads 48 mm diam; involucre 1014 mm; outer phyllaries < inner, generally ± ovate, glabrous
Flowers: corollas 1120 mm, medium yellow, outer corollas exserted 510 mm
Fruit 1.52.2 mm, smooth, ± dark brown; veins ± equal; outer pappus 0
Chromosomes: 2n=14
Ecology: UNCOMMON. Dunes
Elevation: < 300 m.
Bioregional distribution: Central Coast, South Coast, n Channel Islands, s Channel Islands (San Nicolas Island).