Melampodium strigosum

Annuals, 5-35+ cm. Leaf blades oblanceolate to oblong-linear, 15-55+ × 3-12+ mm, lengths 4-6+ times widths, sometimes pinnately 2-4-lobed, ultimate margins ± dentate or entire. Peduncles 0-3(-11+) mm. Outer phyllaries 5, connate 0-¹/6 their lengths, lance-elliptic, 3-6 mm. Ray florets 5-8; corollas yellow, laminae oblong-ovate, 0.6-1.1+ × 0.5-10.8+ mm. Disc florets 5-8+. Fruits 2.2-3 mm. 2n = 40.

Flowering Aug-Sep. Openings in pine forests; 1200-1700 m; Ariz., Colo., Tex.; Mexico.

Specimens of Melampodium strigosum have been misidentified as M. hispidum Kunth, a synonym of M. sericeum (see T. F. Stuessy 1972). The station for M. strigosum in Colorado is ca. 1400 km distant from stations in Arizona and Texas.

FNA 2006, Kearney and Peebles 1969

Duration: Annual Nativity: Native Lifeform: Forb/Herb General: Herbaceous annuals, low-growing, to 35 cm tall. Leaves: Opposite, oblanceolate to oblong-linear, to 55 mm long and 12 mm wide, sometimes pinnately 2-4-lobed, the ultimate margins dentate or entire. Flowers: Heads small, radiate, rays yellow, oblong-ovate, 5-8, disk flowers 5-8 or more, receptacles bracteate, outer phyllaries 5, these lance-elliptic, herbaceous, 3-6 mm long. Fruits: Achenes obovate-oblong, 2-3 mm long. Pappus absent. Ecology: Found in openings in pine forests, from 4,000-5,500 ft (1219-1676 m); flowering August-September. Distribution: Arizona, Colorado, Texas; Mexico. Ethnobotany: Unknown Etymology: Melampodium comes from Melampus, a soothsayer of renown in Greek mythology, while strigosum means covered in straight, flat lying hairs. Synonyms: None Editor: LCrumbacher 2011