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Malacothrix californica

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Wsiegmund (talk | contribs) at 17:07, 12 July 2018 (Added image Commons:File:Malacothrix_californica_8166.JPG to taxobox, depicts hairy-based bracts with red midstripe and threadlike lobed leaves; added reference, made Jepson inline, USDA PLANTS now in taxonbar; expanded description and range.). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Malacothrix californica
Scientific classification
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Species:
M. californica
Binomial name
Malacothrix californica

Malacothrix californica is a species of flowering plant in the aster family known by the common name California desertdandelion. It is native to California, the western margin of Arizona and Baja California, where it may be found especially in the South Coast, Transverse and Peninsular Ranges and the western Mojave Desert.[1][2]

Involucres (8–)10–15 × 5–6 mm. Phyllaries usually 20–26+ in 2-3+ series, (midstripes often reddish) lanceolate to lance-linear or subulate, unequal, hyaline margins 0.1–0.5 mm wide, abaxial faces (of outermost, at least) shaggily piloso-hirsute to arachnose (at least proximally).

Description

It is an annual herb producing a flowering stem up to about 45 centimeters high. The pinnately lobed linear to lance-shaped leaves are mostly located around the base of the plant. The lobes are generally threadlike to linear. The inflorescence is a flower head borne singly lined with hairy-based phyllaries, usually 20 to 26 or more in 2 to 3 or more series. Each bract often has a red midstripe. The 16–20 millimetres (0.6–0.8 in) head bears rings of ray florets, usually yellow to pale yellow, but sometimes white.[2]

References

  1. ^ Sullivan, Steven. K. (2018). "Malacothrix californica". Wildflower Search. Retrieved 2018-07-06.
  2. ^ a b "Malacothrix californica". in Jepson Flora Project (eds.) Jepson eFlora. Jepson Herbarium; University of California, Berkeley. 2018. Retrieved 2018-07-06.