Aphanostephus ramosissimus
Family: Asteraceae
Plant Description: Annual, low-lying, semi-mounding plant up to about 18 inches in height. Flower heads 1-2 cm wide with yellow disks and white rays. Leaves alternate, ovate up to 2 inches or longer, the margins lobed or toothed.
Plant Trivia: Genus name means “inconspicuous,” in Greek referring to the pappus.
Field Identification: Heads with weak stems that fall over. Flowers open late in the morning or early afternoon. A. skirrhobisis is similar to A. ramosissimus but has larger heads and slightly larger achenes. The hairs on its achenes, when present, are curved, whereas those on A. ramosissimus are straight.
Occurrence: Frequent on various soils in prairies, open areas, and disturbed places.
Bloom Period: March – July
Plant Use:
Key to the species of Aphanostephus:
- Base of aged disk corolla enlarged , whitened, hard……….S. skirrhobasis
Base of aged disk corolla not enlarged…………………………………………………….2
2. Heads usually 1-1.6 cm wide, upper leaves lobed…………A. ramosissimus
Heads usually 2-3.3 cm wide, upper leaves narrow, entire……A. riddellii
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