woolly desertdandelion
Malacothrix floccifera (DC.) S.F.Blake
Malacothrix floccifera, known as woolly desertdandelion, is an annual herb in the Asteraceae family. It is native to California and Nevada, growing in forests, woodlands, and chaparral. The plant reaches up to 42 cm in height, with fleshy, lobed leaves featuring woolly patches. Its inflorescence consists of white or yellow ray florets, typically with lavender stripes on the lower surface. The species was first described in 1924.
Description
Malacothrix floccifera is an annual plant ranging from 10 to 40 cm in height. It has 1 to 8 stems, which may be simple or branched, and are either glabrous or sparsely pubescent at the base. The leaves are oblanceolate to obovate, pinnately lobed with obtuse apices, and often have white-arachnose patches on the lower surface. The involucres are campanulate, with 13-21 phyllaries that are glabrous. The florets, 21-60 in number, have white or yellow corollas, often with lavender stripes, and exserted ligules. The cypselae are cylindrical to prismatic, with 5 prominent ribs, and lack a pappus. The species is diploid, with 2n = 14.
Other common names
woolly desertdandelion
Distribution
Nevada · California
Synonyms
Malacothrix parvifloraMalacothrix obtusaSenecio flocciferusSenecio floccifer
