Erigeron sparsifolius

Perennials, 10–55 cm; taprooted, caudices branched. Stems (greenish) erect, sparsely strigose, eglandular. Leaves basal (usually withering by flowering, not forming conspicuous tufts) and cauline (leaf bases broadened or not, not thickened and whitish-indurate); basal and proximalmost cauline blades oblanceolate-spatulate, 20–50 × 2–4 mm, margins entire, faces densely and closely strigose, eglandular; cauline abruptly reduced to erect linear bracts 3–20 × 0.5 mm, relatively even-sized, at least beyond midstems to immediately proximal to heads. Heads (1–)3–10, from branches well beyond midstems. Involucres 3–5 × 5–8 mm. Phyllaries in 2–3 series, sparsely strigose or glabrous, densely minutely glandular. Ray florets 10–14(–20); corollas white to blue, 4–8 mm, laminae (0.7–1 mm wide) coiling. Disc corollas 2–3.5 mm (viscid-puberulent, hairs multicellular, blunt). Cypselae 1.5–2.5 mm, 3–4-orange-nerved, faces sparsely strigose; pappi: outer of inconspicuous setae, inner of 20–25 bristles.

Phenology: Flowering Jun–Sep.
Habitat: Rocky or sandy soil, soil pockets and crevices in sandstone, canyon bottoms, river terraces
Elevation: 1100–1700 m

Distribution

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• Legacy Map

Ariz., Colo., Utah.

Discussion

Erigeron sparsifolius is partially sympatric with Erigeron utahensis. They are distinct in morphology and phenology, and intermediates are not common.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.