Plectocephalus americana
Family: Asteraceae
Plant Description: Annual to 1 m high with lanceolate or elliptic leaves, alternate, 1-16 cm long. Heads solitary, 3-4 cm high and up to 10 cm wide, discoid. Corolla light purple-violet to white. bracts of involucre highly branched, giving a basketlike appearance
Plant Trivia:
Field Identification: Erect aster with basket-like solitary flowers. Resembles Texas Thistle but without spiny leaves.
Occurrence: Frequent on sandy or clayey loams or caliche in prairies and openings; widespread.
Bloom Period: April -June
Plant Use: Important butterfly nectar plant
stxflora 