Erechtites hieraclifolius
Family: Asteraceae
Description: An annual herb with; alternate, simple leaves, on thick, rich green stems that grow to 0.4 to 3 meters or more in height. Leaves are alternate, serrated, 5-20 centimeters long, 0.5-6.5 cm wide, and range from unlobed to deeply lobed. Composite flowers (heads) in clusters at ends of upper-axillary stalks and terminating stem, about 1/4 in. wide (1/3 in. tall), cylindrical with a swollen base, consisting of numerous, densely crowded, tiny, white or dull yellow disk florets. A tube composed of erect, narrow, green bracts surrounds the head, nearly concealing the florets. Stems grooved-striate, unbranched, smooth or hairy.
Field Description: Leaves resemble leaf lettuce; most leaves are noticeably clasping. Crushed leaves sometimes are aromatic. The plant is erect; barrel shaped with thick foliage. Flowers do not open up but remain bound in the calyx until it ruptures. Airborne seeds fold out of each flower.
Plant Trivia: Grows in disturbed soil (fire, plowing, scraping), but infests only until other native plants take control. This characteristic makes this a pioneer plant. This may be a season or two. Its common names allude to the fact that it is common to burnout areas. Flowers are pollinated primarily by wasps and honeybees and seeds are wind dispersed.
Occurrence: American native plant but found many places around the world by introduction. Most common in E. Texas and states to the east. Prefers moist soil but tolerates gravely and sandy soils. It is resistant to the; herbicide imazypyr and imazypyr-glyphosphate.
Bloom Period: Spring-Fall
Plant Use: Native Americans used a tea made from the plant to treat many ailments including diarrhea, cystitis, and dropsy.
Dichotomous Key:
stxflora 