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Sturla, Gene

Atrichoseris platyphylla

Atrichoseris platyphylla (A. Gray) A. Gray

Parachute Plant, Tobacco Weed

Asteraceae (Aster Family)

Synonym(s): Malacothrix platyphylla

USDA Symbol: ATPL

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

A smooth, gray-green plant with a flat rosette of basal leaves and tall spindly stems, openly branched in upper half, with white or pale pink flower heads at branch ends.

The scientific name means the "flat-leaved" (platyphylla) "chicory plant without hairs" (Atrichoseris), referring to the absence of hairs on the fruit.

From the Image Gallery

39 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Annual
Habit: Herb
Size Notes: Up to about 6 feet tall, often much shorter.
Fruit: Fruit is a cypsela (pl. cypselae). Though technically incorrect, the fruit is often referred to as an achene.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Pink
Bloom Time: Feb , Mar , Apr , May

Distribution

USA: AZ , CA , NV , UT
Native Distribution: Southwestern Utah and northwestern Arizona southwest to southeastern California.
Native Habitat: Sandy, desert washes.

Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2025-02-07
Research By: TWC Staff

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