Thelesperma nuecense
Family: Asteraceae
Plant Description: Annual, usually 60-90 cm high, with leaves deeply divided into needlelike segments, opposite. Flower heads solitary, 3.5-5.5 cm wide. Disks purplish brown. Rays bright yellow with a brownish-red base.
Field Identification: Tall, single-flowered aster with no apparent leaves when viewed from a distance. Basal red spot on the petal distinguishes this from the other Thelosperma.
Plant Trivia: Endemic to Texas.
Occurrence: Frequent on deep coastal sands from ANWR to Baffin Bay.
Bloom Period: March -December
Plant Use: Pollinator source; bird seed.
Key to the Genus 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
