Lasianthaea

Perennials [shrubs], 10–60+ [–700] cm (rootstocks bearing tubers). Stems erect, branched ± throughout. Leaves cauline; opposite; petiolate; blades (usually 3-nerved) rounded-deltate to ovate or lance-ovate [lanceolate], bases cuneate to rounded or truncate, margins serrate, faces ± scabrous. Heads radiate, borne singly [in corymbiform arrays]. Involucres hemispheric [obconic], [4–]10–14[–25+] mm diam. Phyllaries persistent, 12–20 in 2–5 series (ovate to lanceolate, subequal or outer shorter [longer], herbaceous to papery). Receptacles convex, paleate (paleae membranous to indurate, conduplicate, apices acute [erose]). Ray florets [4–]11–14[30], pistillate, fertile; corollas yellow to orange [purplish]. Disc florets 20–100+[–200+], bisexual, fertile; corollas yellow to orange [purplish], tubes about equaling ampliate, cylindric throats, lobes 5, deltate. Cypselae 3-angled (ray) or strongly compressed or flattened (all with sharp edges, not truly winged); pappi persistent, of 2(–3) subulate scales or awns (continuous with margins of cypselae) plus 0–4 shorter scales. x = 10, 11?

Distribution

sw United States, Mexico.

Discussion

Species 11 (1 in the flora).

Selected References

Becker, K. M. 1979. Monograph of the genus Lasianthaea (Asteraceae). Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 31(2): 1–64.

Lower Taxa

Lasianthaea podocephala