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Project Noah Nature School
Heterotheca subaxillaris
The flowers are loosely clustered at the tips of the upper branched stems. The individual flower heads are 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide and ringed with slender, overlapping, yellow rays. The flowers are followed by fluffy, tan seed heads. The leaves mostly line the lower part of the unbranched main stems and are green, hairy, sessile, and rounded to egg-shaped. The stems are green, hairy, upright, unbranched below, and well-branched above, giving this plant a very distinctive shape. The foliage reeks of camphor when handled or crushed and can leave the smell on your hands.
Riparian meadow in an area that had been mowed.
Did not recognize this at first spotting. Went back to look closer and the sepal arrangement, and odor made the ID. Believe repeated mowing has stunted the growth. Drought may be effecting bloom. Recently had a slight rain and the meadow shows many seedings emerging.
Spotted on Feb 4, 2013
Submitted on Feb 5, 2013
2 Comments
Yes there were other separate plants with buds. This area has rudbeckia and other daisy species. It looks familiar but just cannot place it in winter. Thanks for helping :)
Looks like there's at least one other bud right beside this bloom (at 10 o'clock, the other is at 2 o'clock)
Leaves and flower look like rudbeckia to me - but I could not begin to guess which one!