Palafoxia arida
| Palafoxia arida | |
|---|---|
| |
| Palafoxia arida var. arida (autonym) | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Asteraceae |
| Genus: | Palafoxia |
| Species: | P. arida
|
| Binomial name | |
| Palafoxia arida | |
Palafoxia arida is a species of flowering plant in the aster family, known by the common names desert palafox and Spanish needle.
Distribution[edit]
It is native to the Mojave Desert and Sonoran Desert ecoregions of California, the Southwestern United States, and northwestern Mexico.
Description[edit]
Palafoxia arida is an annual herb producing an erect, branching, glandular stem. The rough-haired leaves are linear or lance-shaped and may exceed 10 centimeters long.
The inflorescence is an array of up to 40 flower heads. The cylindrical heads are about 2 to 3 centimeters long, lined with long, pointed phyllaries, and bearing up to 40 pink or white tubular disc florets.
The fruit is an achene over a centimeter long including the pappus.
Varieties[edit]
There are two varieties that are no longer accepted:
- Palafoxia arida var. arida — desert needle, desert palafox[3]
- Palafoxia arida var. gigantea — giant Spanish needle; larger, reaching 2 m (6 ft 7 in) in height[4]
References[edit]
- ^ "Palafoxia arida B.L.Turner & M.I.Morris". The Plant List; Version 1. (published on the internet). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and Missouri Botanical Garden. 2010. Retrieved January 17, 2012.
- ^ Palafoxia arida was published in Madrono; Journal of the California Botanical Society. Berkeley, California 23: 79. 1975. "Plant Name Details for Palafoxia arida". IPNI. Retrieved January 17, 2012.
San Bernardino County (California, Southwestern U.S.A., Northern America)
- ^ Calflora: Palafoxia arida var. arida
- ^ Calflora: Palafoxia arida var. gigantea
External links[edit]
- Calflora Database: Palafoxia arida (Desert palafox, Spanish needle)
- Jepson Manual eFlora (TJM2) treatment of Palafoxia arida
- USDA Plants Profile for Palafoxia arida (desert palafox)
- U.C. Photos gallery
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