Thelesperma nuecense
Family: Asteraceae
Plant Description: Annual, usually 60-90 cm high, with leaves deeply divided into needlelike segments, opposite. Heads solitary, 3.5-5.5 cm wide. Disks purplish brown. Ray bright yellow with a brownish red base.
Plant Trivia: Endemic to Texas
Field Identification: Tall, single flowered aster with no apparent leaves when viewed from a distance. Basal red spot the on petal distinguishes this from the other Thelosperma.
Occurrence: Frequent on deep coastal sands from ANWR to Baffin Bay.
Bloom Period: March-December
Plant Use:
Key to species of Thelesperma:
- Outer phyllaries 1.2-2 mm long, broad………………………………..T. ambiguum
Outer phyllaries 3-7 mm long, narrow………………………………………………………2
2. Rays solid yellow…………………………………………………………………………..T. filifolium
Rays brownish red at base………………………………………………………...T. nuecense
stxflora 