Senecio parryi

Perennials (annuals-), 30-60(-100) cm (apparently taprooted). Herbage viscid-pubescent (reputedly notably odorous). Stems single (sometimes branching). Leaves evenly distributed (basal and proximal sometimes withering before flowering); weakly petiolate; blades ovate or obovate to suborbiculate, spatulate, or lanceolate, 8-12 × 2-4 cm, bases tapered to truncate, margins dentate (mid and distal leaves similar, triangular-lanceolate, bases truncate, clasping). Heads 12-30 in corymbiform arrays. Calyculi of 5-15+ lanceolate or linear to subulate bractlets (lengths ¹ / 3 - ⁷ / 8 + phyllaries). Phyllaries ± 21, 6-7 mm, tips greenish. Ray florets ± 13; corolla laminae 8-10(-12+) mm. Cypselae hairy.

Flowering late summer-fall. Rocky, disturbed sites in desert mountains; 1300-2300 m; Ariz., N.Mex., Tex.; Mexico.

Senecio parryi is infrequently collected and poorly known. In the flora, it is known from trans-Pecos Texas westward to southern Arizona.

FNA 2006, Kearney and Peebles 1969, McDougall 1973

Duration: Perennial Nativity: Native Lifeform: Subshrub General: Herbaceous to shrubby perennials, to 100 cm tall, stems, herbage densely viscid-pubescent but not tomentose, ill-smelling, taprooted. Leaves: Alternate or basal, weakly petiolate, the blades ovate or obovate to suborbiculate, spatulate, or lanceolate, conspicuously clasping, margins dentate, the mid and distal leaves similar, triangular-lanceolate, bases truncate, clasping. Flowers: Heads radiate, rays yellow, pistillate, about 13, the laminae 8-10 mm long, the disk flowers yellow, involucres cylindrical to hemispherical, row of bracts around outer calyx of 5-15 or more lanceolate or linear to awl-shaped bractlets, phyllaries numerous, 6-7 mm, these equal, narrow, sub-herbaceous, with acute to acuminate greenish tips, occurring in a single series, the heads 12-30, borne in corymbiform arrays. Fruits: Achenes terete, ribbed, and hairy. Pappus of numerous, soft, white, capillary bristles. Ecology: Found in rocky, disturbed sites in desert mountains, from 5,500-7,000 ft (1676-2134 m); flowering July-September. Distribution: Arizona, New Mexcio, Texas; Mexico. Ethnobotany: Unknown, but other species in the genera have uses. Etymology: Senecio is from senex, old man, which refers to the gray hairs on the seeds, while parryi is named for Dr. Charles Christopher Parry (1823-1890) who collected with the Mexican Boundary Survey among other notable surveys. Synonyms: None Editor: LCrumbacher 2011