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Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia

Pluchea sericea

Pluchea sericea (Nutt.) Coville

Arrowweed, Arrow Weed

Asteraceae (Aster Family)

Synonym(s): Berthelotia sericea, Polypappus sericeus, Tessaria sericea

USDA Symbol: PLSE

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

Tall, willowlike shrub, with slender erect branches.

Indians used this plant to make shafts for arrows because of its long, straight stems. Arrow Weed forms dense stands along some rivers, including the Colorado River in Arizona. Most of its close relatives are strong-smelling herbs.

From the Image Gallery

1 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Size Notes: Up to about 15 feet tall, often shorter.
Fruit: Fruit is a cypsela (pl. cypselae). Though technically incorrect, the fruit is often referred to as an achene.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Pink , Purple
Bloom Time: Jan , Feb , Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct , Nov , Dec
Bloom Notes: Flowers mostly Mar - Jul. May flower year-round.

Distribution

USA: AZ , CA , NM , NV , TX , UT
Native Distribution: S. Nevada, southern third of California, extreme southwest corner and Colorado Plateau portion of Utah, south through W. Texas.
Native Habitat: Along watercourses, ditches, and in some low, flat areas, including those that are quite saline.

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:	AGCP	AK	AW	CB	EMP	GP	HI	MW	NCNE	WMVE
Status:			FACW			FAC				FACW

This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

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
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-01-06
Research By: TWC Staff

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