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Plant Database

Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

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Stenotus acaulis (Stemless mock goldenweed)
Pyle, Lynn

Stenotus acaulis

Stenotus acaulis (Nutt.) Nutt.

Stemless Mock Goldenweed, Stemless Goldenweed

Asteraceae (Aster Family)

Synonym(s): Haplopappus acaulis, Haplopappus acaulis ssp. typicus, Haplopappus acaulis var. glabratus, Stenotus acaulis var. acaulis, Stenotus acaulis var. glabratus

USDA Symbol: STAC

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

Numerous nearly leafless stalks, each topped with 1 yellow flower head, growing from dark green, erect, stiff leaves in dense tufts or mats.

The very similar Thrift Goldenweed (S. armerioides), found from Montana south to Arizona and New Mexico, and east to Nebraska, can be distinguished by the round tips on its bracts.

 

From the Image Gallery

12 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb , Subshrub
Size Notes: Matted, up to about 8 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: Yellow
Bloom Time: May , Jun , Jul , Aug

Distribution

USA: AZ , CA , CO , ID , MT , NV , OR , UT , WY
Native Distribution: Southeastern Oregon south along eastern slopes of Sierra Nevada, east to central Idaho and Colorado, and northeast to southwestern Montana and central Canada.
Native Habitat: Dry open places from foothills to fairly high elevations.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Stenotus acaulis in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Stenotus acaulis in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Stenotus acaulis

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-01-19
Research By: TWC Staff

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