Malacothrix coulteri is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae known by the common name snake's head or snake's head desert-dandelion.
| Malacothrix coulteri | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Asteraceae |
| Genus: | Malacothrix |
| Species: | M. coulteri
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| Binomial name | |
| Malacothrix coulteri | |
Description
editIt is an annual herb producing a waxy, upright flowering stem up to 10–50 centimetres (4–19+1⁄2 in) in height.[1] The leaves are 5–10 cm (2–4 in) long, mostly located near the base of the stem,[1] and are toothed or not. The inflorescence is an array of flower heads about 3–5 cm (1+1⁄4–2 in) wide,[1] with nearly spherical involucres of scale-like phyllaries 1–2 cm (1⁄2–3⁄4 in) wide. The bracts are green, often with dark striping or marking. The yellow or white ray florets are about 1 cm long.
Similar species
editSimilar species include Anisocoma acaulis and Calycoseris parryi.[1]
Distribution and habitat
editIt is native to the southwestern United States is also found in southern South America where it is an introduced species.[2] Its native habitat includes desert, grassland, chaparral, and other open, sandy areas.
References
edit- ^ a b c d Spellenberg, Richard (2001) [1979]. National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Wildflowers: Western Region (rev ed.). Knopf. pp. 387–388. ISBN 978-0-375-40233-3.
- ^ Flora of North America
External links
edit
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