Helianthus laciniatus

Helianthus laciniatus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Helianthus
Species:
H. laciniatus
Binomial name
Helianthus laciniatus
A.Gray 1849 not (L.) E.H.L.Krause 1905
Synonyms[1]
  • Helianthus crenatus R.C.Jacks.
  • Helianthus heiseri R.C.Jacks.

Helianthus laciniatus is a North American species of sunflower known by the common name alkali sunflower.[2] It is found in the southwestern United States (southeastern Arizona, southern New Mexico, western Texas)[3] and north-central Mexico (Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León, Durango).[4] It is fairly common in the Chihuahuan Desert.[5]

Helianthus laciniatus is a perennial herb up to 200 cm (almost 7 feet) tall. Most of the leaves are on the stem rather than clumped together close to the ground, each leaf is up to 9 cm (2.7 inches) long. One plant usually produces 1-9 flower heads. Each head has with 14–20 yellow ray florets surrounding 40 or more red or purple disc florets. The plant grows in dry, alkaline desert soils.[5]

References

  1. ^ The Plant List, Helianthus laciniatus A.Gray
  2. ^ NRCS. "Helianthus laciniatus". PLANTS Database. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  3. ^ Biota of North America Program 2014 county distribution map
  4. ^ SEINet, Southwestern Biodiversity, Arizona Chapter, Helianthus laciniatus A. Gray photos, description, distribution map
  5. ^ a b Flora of North America, Helianthus laciniatus A. Gray