Packera streptanthifolia
Encyclopedia
Packera streptanthifolia is a species of flowering plant in the aster family
known by the common name Rocky Mountain groundsel. It is native to western North America from Alaska
to California
to New Mexico
, where it can be found in mountain habitat including woodlands and rocky slopes.
It is a perennial herb producing usually one erect stem, sometimes a cluster of a few stems, 10 to 60 centimeters in maximum height. The spatula-shaped basal leaves have oval or lance-shaped blades on long petioles
. They are thick, firm, and sometimes somewhat succulent. Leaves higher on the stem are smaller, thinner, and simpler, and may lack petioles.
The inflorescence
is a loose array of two or more flower heads
with yellow disc florets and usually either 8 or 13 yellow ray florets up to a centimeter long each.
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 Rocky Mountain groundsel. It is native to western North America from Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
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...
to New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
, where it can be found in mountain habitat including woodlands and rocky slopes.
It is a perennial herb producing usually one erect stem, sometimes a cluster of a few stems, 10 to 60 centimeters in maximum height. The spatula-shaped basal leaves have oval or lance-shaped blades on long petioles
Petiole (botany)
In botany, the petiole is the stalk attaching the leaf blade to the stem. The petiole usually has the same internal structure as the stem. Outgrowths appearing on each side of the petiole are called stipules. Leaves lacking a petiole are called sessile, or clasping when they partly surround the...
. They are thick, firm, and sometimes somewhat succulent. Leaves higher on the stem are smaller, thinner, and simpler, and may lack petioles.
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 a loose array of two or more 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 yellow disc florets and usually either 8 or 13 yellow ray florets up to a centimeter long each.