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Anderson, Wynn
Machaeranthera gracilis
Machaeranthera gracilis (Nutt.) Shinners
Slender Goldenweed, Grass-leaf Tansy-aster, Yellow Spiny Daisy
Asteraceae (Aster Family)
Synonym(s): Dieteria gracilis, Haplopappus gracilis, Haplopappus ravenii, Sideranthus gracilis
USDA Symbol: MAGR10
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
This flower makes up in numbers what it lacks in size. Sometimes it covers large areas, 1 or 2 acres, with its bright yellow flowers. It grows 10-18 inches tall, with many narrow leaves, 1/8-1/4 inch long, the lower ones shallowly toothed. The stiff branches, 1-3 inches long, are on the upper half of the main stem, with 1 flower head at the end of each. Each flower head, 1/2-3/4 inch across, has 20-30 ray flowers and many disc flowers.
This species has also been found to have the lowest chromosome number of any plant investigated so far, with only four chromosomes in each cell; most plants have 14-30.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: AnnualHabit: Herb
Size Notes: Grows 10-18 inches tall.
Fruit: Fruit is a cypsela (pl. cypselae). Though technically incorrect, the fruit is often referred to as an achene.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: YellowBloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct , Nov
Distribution
USA: AZ , CA , CO , ME , NM , NV , NY , TX , UTBibliography
Bibref 248 - Texas Wildflowers: A Field Guide (1984) Loughmiller, C. & L. LoughmillerSearch More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Additional resources
USDA: Find Machaeranthera gracilis in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Machaeranthera gracilis in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Machaeranthera gracilis
Metadata
Record Modified: 2022-12-29Research By: TWC Staff