large-flowered wirelettuce

Stephanomeria lactucina A.Gray

Stephanomeria lactucina is a perennial herb in the Asteraceae family, native to Oregon and California. It grows in diverse habitats, including coniferous forests, and has a rhizomatous root system. The plant reaches 30–60 cm in height, with linear or lance-shaped leaves up to 8 cm long and sparsely toothed edges. It produces solitary flower heads with up to 10 pink-tinged ray florets on erect peduncles. The fruit is a light tan achene with a plumose pappus. Chromosome number is 2n = 16.

Description

Stephanomeria lactucina is a perennial plant with a slender rhizome and a single, erect or ascending stem, 10–60 cm tall. Leaves are linear-lanceolate, 3–8 cm long, with entire or remotely toothed margins. The plant produces solitary flower heads on 10–50 mm peduncles, with 8–10 ray florets. Involucres are 12–14 mm with 8–12 glabrous phyllaries. The cypselae are smooth or grooved, 5–6 mm long, with a pappus of 25–30 plumose bristles. It is found in coastal and mountain regions of Oregon and California, including the Sierra Nevada. The plant is adapted to various habitats, including coniferous forests, and is distinguished by its pink-tinged, fringed ligules and persistent pappus.