Conoclinium dissectum

Stems erect (often from knotty crowns, sometimes basally lignescent). Leaf blades ovate-deltate to ovate, 1.5-4 cm, bases attenuate, margins dissected or lobed, apices pointed or rounded. Phyllaries 3.5-5 mm. Corollas blue to lavender or purple, 2.5-3.5 mm. Cypselae 1.8-2.5 mm, hispidulous; pappi: bristle tips not dilated. 2n = 20.

Flowering Apr-Aug, Oct-Nov. Waterways, depressions and ditches, dry sandy or rocky soil, mesquite, creosote bush-mesquite; 400-1400 m; Ariz., N.Mex., Tex.; Mexico (Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango, Nuevo León, San Luis Potosí, Sonora, Zacatecas).

FNA 2003, Quattrocchi 1999

Duration: Perennial Nativity: Native Lifeform: Forb/Herb General: Perennial rhizomotous herb, often forming knotty crowns, sometimes basally woody; stems glabrous, erect, ascending or decumbent to 40cm. Leaves: Blades ovate-deltate to ovate, 1.5-4 cm, bases attenuate, margins dissected or deeply lobed, apices pointed or rounded Flowers: Phyllaries 3.5-5 mm. Corollas blue to lavender or purple, 2.5-3.5 mm. Flowering Apr-Aug, Oct-Nov. Fruits: 1.8-2.5 mm, hispid; pappus of bristles. Ecology: Waterways, depressions, washes and ditches, dry sandy or rocky soil, mesquite, creosote bush-mesquite;.1312-4593 ft (400-1400 m). Attracts a large amount of insects, including Queen and Monarch butterflies. Distribution: s AZ, s NM, TX; c to n MX. Notes: Distinguished by its erect to decumbent habit, often deeply lobed leaves and showy heads of deep lavender to light blue disk flowers with long threadlike stigmas, Ethnobotany: Unknown Etymology: Cono is derived from the Greek -konos- meaning cone and clinium from the greek -klinium- meaning little bed or -cline- referring to the reclining habit of the plant. Greggii is named for Josiah Gregg (1806-1850), a frontier trader and author who collected many undescribed southwestern plants and sent specimens to his friend, the botanist Dr. George Engelmann, who described the new species and named them for Gregg. Synonyms: Eupatorium dissectum, Eupatorium greggii, Conoclinium dissectum Editor: FSCoburn, 2014