Status: Native
Synonyms:
Brachyris microcephala A.P. de Candolle
Gutierrezia glomerella Greene
Gutierrezia lucida Greene
Gutierrezia sarothrae (Pursh) Britton var. microcephala (A.P. de Candolle) L. Benson
Xanthocephalum microcephalum (A.P. de Candolle) Shinners
Gutierrezia microcephala has a small involucre to about 3mm, with one or two small yellow ray and one or two small disc flowers. The corolla lobes on the disc flower are usually coiled. The leaves are linear and only a couple of millimeters wide. Gutierrezia sarothrae has a slightly larger involucre and 3-9 ray and disc florets. Both these Gutierrezias inhabit open or rocky areas that have been denuded, frequently by overgrazing.
Please click on an image for a larger file.
Gutierrezia microcephala, photo Russ Kleinman, Hoodoo Canyon, July 3, 2009
Gutierrezia microcephala, closeup of inflorescences, photo Russ Kleinman, Hoodoo Canyon, July 3, 2009
Gutierrezia microcephala, closeup of inflorescences with one disc and one ray flower each, photo Russ Kleinman, Hoodoo Canyon, July 3, 2009
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