Lasthenia platycarpha
Encyclopedia
Lasthenia platycarpha is a species of flowering plant in the daisy family
known by the common name alkali goldfields. It is endemic to California
, where it is known mainly from the Central Valley. It grows in alkali flats and other areas with alkaline soils. This is an annual herb producing an erect stem approaching 30 centimeters in maximum height. The oppositely arranged leaves are up to 6 centimeters long, sometimes lobed, and sometimes coated in hairs. The inflorescence
bears small flower heads
with centers of gold disc florets and 6 to 13 golden yellow ray florets each just under a centimeter long. The fruit is a hairy achene
with a pappus
at the top.
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 alkali goldfields. It is endemic 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...
, where it is known mainly from the Central Valley. It grows in alkali flats and other areas with alkaline soils. This is an annual herb producing an erect stem approaching 30 centimeters in maximum height. The oppositely arranged leaves are up to 6 centimeters long, sometimes lobed, and sometimes coated in hairs. 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 small flower heads
Head (botany)
The capitulum is considered the most derived form of inflorescence. Flower heads found outside Asteraceae show lesser degrees of specialization....
with centers of gold disc florets and 6 to 13 golden yellow ray florets each just under a centimeter long. The fruit is a hairy achene
Achene
An achene is a type of simple dry fruit produced by many species of flowering plants. Achenes are monocarpellate and indehiscent...
with a pappus
Pappus (flower structure)
The pappus is the modified calyx, the part of an individual disk, ray or ligule floret surrounding the base of the corolla, in flower heads of the plant family Asteraceae. The pappus may be composed of bristles , awns, scales, or may be absent. In some species, the pappus is too small to see...
at the top.