Bolander's ragwort

Packera bolanderi (A.Gray) W.A.Weber & Á.Löve

Packera bolanderi is a flowering plant in the Asteraceae family, native to the west coast of the United States from Washington to northern California. It is commonly known as Bolander's ragwort and grows in wet coastal forests and woodlands. The species has two varieties, var. bolanderi and var. harfordii, which differ in leaf thickness, geographic range, and habitat preferences. The plant is a perennial herb with one to three stems up to 50 cm tall. Basal leaves are up to 12 cm long, lobed, and on long petioles, while stem leaves are smaller and more lobed. The inflorescence has several flower heads with dark green phyllaries, golden yellow disc florets, and 8 to 13 yellow ray florets. The fruit is an achene with a pappus of bristles.

Description

Packera bolanderi, a member of the Asteraceae family, is a perennial herb found in wet coastal forests and woodlands along the west coast of the United States, from Washington to northern California. The species is divided into two varieties, var. bolanderi and var. harfordii, with differences in leaf morphology, geographic distribution, and habitat. Var. bolanderi has thicker leaves, occurs farther south, and inhabits more open environments than var. harfordii. The plant typically produces one to three stems up to 50 cm in height. Basal leaves are up to 12 cm long, lobed, and attached to long, thin petioles. Stem leaves are smaller and more deeply lobed. The inflorescence consists of multiple flower heads, each with dark green phyllaries, golden yellow disc florets, and 8 to 13 yellow ray florets. The fruit is an achene with a bristly pappus.