Native Plants
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Geraea canescens
Geraea canescens Torr. & A. Gray
Hairy Desert-sunflower, Desert Sunflower, Desert Gold
Asteraceae (Aster Family)
Synonym(s): Geraea canescens var. canescens, Geraea canescens var. paniculata
USDA Symbol: GECA2
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
A slender, hairy plant with a few leaves and golden-yellow flower heads at the ends of the several branches.
Gerea comes from the Greek geraios ("old man"), referring to the white hairs on the fruits. After adequate rain, these plants may line mile after mile along hot, dry, desolate roadsides.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: AnnualHabit: Herb
Size Notes: Up to about 32 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: Jan , Feb , Mar , Apr , May , Oct , Nov , Dec
Distribution
USA: AZ , CA , NV , UTNative Distribution: Se. California to sw. Utah; south to w. Arizona and nw. Mexico.
Native Habitat: Sandy, barren, flat desert.
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Additional resources
USDA: Find Geraea canescens in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Geraea canescens in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Geraea canescens
Metadata
Record Modified: 2022-12-27Research By: TWC Staff