Senecio fremontii

Perennials, 10–30(–40) cm (perennating bases subrhizomatous, spreading, sometimes knotty-woody). Herbage (often purple-tinged) glabrous. Stems clustered (arching upward to semiprostrate). Leaves evenly distributed or smaller and fewer distally (somewhat stiffish-succulent when fresh, proximalmost and distalmost often smaller, bractlike); petiolate; blades ovate or obovate to oblanceolate, 2–5(–7) × 1–3(–4) cm, bases ± truncate to tapered, margins laciniate to dentate or subentire. Heads 1–5+. Calyculi 0 or of 1–5+ usually lance-deltate to linear, sometimes foliaceous, bractlets (lengths mostly 1/5–1/2 phyllaries). Phyllaries (± 8) ± 13 (± 21), 5–12 mm, tips green or brownish. Ray florets ± 8; corolla laminae 8–12 mm. Cypselae glabrous or strigose-hirtellous, at least on angles. 2n = 40, 40+, 80.

Distribution

• Generated Map
• Legacy Map

w North America.

Discussion

Varieties 4 (4 in the flora).

The varieties are distinguished by morphologic tendencies plus their geographic ranges.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

Senecio fremontii var. blitoides, Senecio fremontii var. fremontii, Senecio fremontii var. inexpectatus, Senecio fremontii var. occidentalis

Key

1	Plants (10–)25–40 cm; stems straight or gently arching upward; leaves often to 7 × 3 cm, bases of larger ones weakly clasping; phyllaries (9–)10–12 mm	Senecio fremontii var. blitoides
1	Plants 10–20+ cm; stems usually arching upward; leaves usually smaller than 4 × 2 cm, bases not clasping; phyllaries 5–10 mm	> 2
2	Leaf margins notably laciniate or laciniate-toothed (segments sometimes also toothed)	Senecio fremontii var. inexpectatus
2	Leaf margins toothed or subentire	> 3
3	Leaves smaller and fewer distally; phyllaries 5–7(–8) mm	Senecio fremontii var. occidentalis
3	Leaves ± equally developed along stems; phyllaries (7–)8–10 mm	Senecio fremontii var. fremontii