Malacothrix coulteri

Malacothrix coulteri
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Malacothrix
Species:
M. coulteri
Binomial name
Malacothrix coulteri
Synonyms[1]
  • Malacolepis coulteri A.Heller
  • Malacothrix coulteri var. cognata Jeps.
  • Zollikoferia elquiensis Phil.

Malacothrix coulteri is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae.[1][2] It is known by the common name snake's head or snake's head desert-dandelion.

Description

It is an annual herb producing a waxy, upright flowering stem up to 10–50 centimetres (4–19+1⁄2 in) in height.[3] The leaves are 5–10 cm (2–4 in) long, mostly located near the base of the stem,[3] and are toothed or not. The inflorescence is an array of flower heads about 3–5 cm (1+1⁄4–2 in) wide,[3] with nearly spherical involucres of scale-like phyllaries 1–2 cm (1⁄2–3⁄4 in) wide. The bracts are green, often with dark striping or marking. The yellow or white ray florets are about 1 cm long.

Similar species

Similar species include Anisocoma acaulis and Calycoseris parryi.[3]

Distribution and habitat

It is native to the southwestern United States, and it is also an introduced species in southern South America.[4] Its native habitat includes desert, grassland, chaparral, and other open, sandy areas.

References

  1. ^ a b "Malacothrix coulteri Harv. & A.Gray". Plants of the World Online. The Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. n.d. Retrieved November 24, 2024.
  2. ^ "Malacothrix coulteri Harv. & A.Gray". World Flora Online. n.d. Retrieved November 24, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d Spellenberg, Richard (2001) [1979]. National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Wildflowers: Western Region (rev ed.). Knopf. pp. 387–388. ISBN 978-0-375-40233-3.
  4. ^ Flora of North America
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