Thamophylla pentachaeta
Family: Asteraceae
Plant Description: Perennial to 15 cm high with leaves pinnately divided into segments less than 1 mm wide, deeply lobed or threadlike, rather stiff to touch, aromatic, opposite. Flower heads 1-1.8 cm wide, solitary. Disks and rays yellow to yellow-orange.
Field Identification: Small bristly aromatic plant with yellow ray and disk flowers. These characteristics separate it from Tiny Tim, T. tenuiloba. It tends to grow in small patches or as an individual plant looking out of place in its environment.
Plant Trivia:
Occurrence: Frequent on caliche or calcareous sand in openings or along ravines, bluffs, and roadsides.
Bloom Period: March – December
Plant Use: Garden or walkway edging; wildlife food
Key to the Genus Thymnophylla (Dyssodia):
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Leaves opposite, margins of outer phyllaries free for 1/2 their length…………………………………………………………………….T. pentachaeta
