Malacothrix californica
Encyclopedia
Malacothrix californica is a species of flowering plant in the aster family
known by the common name California desertdandelion. It is native to California
and Baja California
, where it can be found in many types of dry mountain, desert, and valley habitat. It is an annual herb producing a flowering stem up to about 45 centimeters in maximum height. The toothed linear to lance-shaped leaves are mostly located around the base of the plant. The inflorescence
is an array of flower heads
lined with hairy phyllaries
. The head bears rings of ray florets 1 or 2 centimeters long, usually yellow in color, sometimes white.
Asteraceae
The Asteraceae or Compositae , is an exceedingly large and widespread family of vascular plants. The group has more than 22,750 currently accepted species, spread across 1620 genera and 12 subfamilies...
known by the common name California desertdandelion. It is native to California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
and Baja California
Baja California
Baja California officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Baja California is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is both the northernmost and westernmost state of Mexico. Before becoming a state in 1953, the area was known as the North...
, where it can be found in many types of dry mountain, desert, and valley habitat. It is an annual herb producing a flowering stem up to about 45 centimeters in maximum height. The toothed linear to lance-shaped leaves are mostly located around the base of the plant. The inflorescence
Inflorescence
An inflorescence is a group or cluster of flowers arranged on a stem that is composed of a main branch or a complicated arrangement of branches. Strictly, it is the part of the shoot of seed plants where flowers are formed and which is accordingly modified...
is an array of flower heads
Head (botany)
The capitulum is considered the most derived form of inflorescence. Flower heads found outside Asteraceae show lesser degrees of specialization....
lined with hairy phyllaries
Bract
In botany, a bract is a modified or specialized leaf, especially one associated with a reproductive structure such as a flower, inflorescence axis, or cone scale. Bracts are often different from foliage leaves. They may be smaller, larger, or of a different color, shape, or texture...
. The head bears rings of ray florets 1 or 2 centimeters long, usually yellow in color, sometimes white.