Senecio pattersonensis
Encyclopedia
Senecio pattersonensis is an uncommon species of flowering plant in the aster family
known by the common names Mono ragwort and Mount Patterson senecio. It is known only from a small stretch of mountain peaks straddling the border between Mono County, California
, and Mineral County, Nevada
, in the western United States. It grows in rocky high mountain habitat in an alpine climate
, such as talus
and fellfield
s. It is named for Mount Patterson, the highest peak in the rugged Sweetwater Mountains
of Mono County.
This is a small perennial herb producing one to three stems from a rhizome
, the plant generally not exceeding ten centimeters in height. The herbage is hairless and green to red in color. The leaves are thick and often fleshy, measuring 2 to 4 centimeters long. They are narrow and linear or lance-shaped, sometimes with wavy edges or divisions into lobes. The inflorescence
bears one to four flower head
s containing yellow disc florets and usually 8 ray florets measuring one half to one centimeter in length.
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 names Mono ragwort and Mount Patterson senecio. It is known only from a small stretch of mountain peaks straddling the border between Mono County, California
Mono County, California
Mono County is a county located in the east central portion of the U.S. state of California, to the east of the Sierra Nevada between Yosemite National Park and Nevada. As of the 2010 census, the population was 14,202, up from 12,853 at the 2000 census...
, and Mineral County, Nevada
Mineral County, Nevada
Mineral County is a county located in the U.S. state of Nevada. As of the 2000 census, the population was 5,071. In 2009, it was estimated to have dropped to 4,662. Its county seat is Hawthorne.-History:...
, in the western United States. It grows in rocky high mountain habitat in an alpine climate
Alpine climate
Alpine climate is the average weather for a region above the tree line. This climate is also referred to as mountain climate or highland climate....
, such as talus
Scree
Scree, also called talus, is a term given to an accumulation of broken rock fragments at the base of crags, mountain cliffs, or valley shoulders. Landforms associated with these materials are sometimes called scree slopes or talus piles...
and fellfield
Fellfield
A fellfield or fell field comprises the environment of a slope, usually alpine or tundra, where the dynamics of frost and of wind give rise to characteristic plant forms in scree interstices.-Soil dynamics:...
s. It is named for Mount Patterson, the highest peak in the rugged Sweetwater Mountains
Sweetwater Mountains
The Sweetwater Mountains is a small mountain range in Northern Mono County, California and Western Lyon County, Nevada, separating the West Walker River from the East Walker River. Most of the range is only accessible by four wheel drive vehicle, on foot, or pack animal. Most of the range is...
of Mono County.
This is a small perennial herb producing one to three stems from a rhizome
Rhizome
In botany and dendrology, a rhizome is a characteristically horizontal stem of a plant that is usually found underground, often sending out roots and shoots from its nodes...
, the plant generally not exceeding ten centimeters in height. The herbage is hairless and green to red in color. The leaves are thick and often fleshy, measuring 2 to 4 centimeters long. They are narrow and linear or lance-shaped, sometimes with wavy edges or divisions into lobes. 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...
bears one to four flower head
Head (botany)
The capitulum is considered the most derived form of inflorescence. Flower heads found outside Asteraceae show lesser degrees of specialization....
s containing yellow disc florets and usually 8 ray florets measuring one half to one centimeter in length.