Encelia virginensis

A. Nelson

Bot. Gaz. 37: 272. 1904.

Endemic
Synonyms: Encelia frutescens var. virginensis (A. Nelson) S. F. Blake
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 21. Treatment on page 121. Mentioned on page 119.

Shrubs, 50–150 cm. Stems with slender branches from bases, hairy, developing fissured barks. Leaves cauline; petioles 2–7 mm; blades gray-green, narrowly ovate to deltate, 12–25 mm, apices acute or obtuse, faces sparsely canescent and strigose. Heads borne singly. Peduncles canescent. Involucres 9–13 mm. Phyllaries narrowly ovate. Ray florets 11–21; corolla laminae 8–15 mm. Disc corollas yellow, 5–6 mm. Cypselae 5–8 mm; pappi usually 0, rarely of 1–2 bristlelike awns. 2n = 36.


Phenology: Flowering Apr–Jun, Dec.
Habitat: Desert flats, rocky slopes, roadsides
Elevation: 500–1500 m

Distribution

V21-294-distribution-map.gif

Ariz., Calif., Nev., N.Mex., Utah.

Discussion

In the mountains of the eastern Mojave Desert in California, Encelia virginensis may intergrade with E. actoni at higher elevations, probably as a result of hybridization. Plants of E. virginensis in New Mexico may be adventive.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.