Senecio eremophilus

Perennials, (20–)40–80(–140) cm (caudices branched, fibrous-rooted). Herbage glabrous or glabrate. Stems single or loosely clustered. Leaves ± evenly distributed (proximal often withering before flowering); petiolate or sessile; blades ovate or lanceolate to narrowly lanceolate, (3–)6–12(–20) × (1–)1.5–5(–7) cm, bases tapered, margins usually pinnate to lacerate, sometimes dentate. Heads 10–60+ in compound corymbiform arrays. Calyculi of 3–5+ (prominent or inconspicuous) bractlets (lengths to 3/4 phyllaries). Phyllaries (± 8) ± 13, 3–8+ mm, tips green or black. Ray florets ± 8; corolla laminae 5–10 mm. Cypselae usually glabrous, sometimes hirtellous. 2n = 38, 40, 44.

Distribution

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Mostly n, w North America.

Discussion

Varieties 3 (3 in the flora).

Varieties of Senecio eremophilus are distinguished by head size and distribution. Varieties eremophilus and macdougalii are notably different; var. kingii is intermediate in both morphology and distribution.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

Senecio eremophilus var. eremophilus, Senecio eremophilus var. kingii, Senecio eremophilus var. macdougalii

Key

1	Calyculi: bractlets prominent (lengths of at least some to about 3/4 phyllaries); involucres 7–10 mm diam.; phyllaries 6–8 mm, tips green or weakly, if at all, black	Senecio eremophilus var. eremophilus
1	Calyculi: bractlets conspicuous or inconspicuous (lengths rarely to 1/2 phyllaries); involucres 5–8 mm diam.; phyllaries 3–6 mm, tips usually black	> 2
2	Calyculi: bractlets conspicuous (lengths to 1/2 phyllaries); involucres (5–)6–8 diam.; phyllaries ± 13, (4–)5–6 mm	Senecio eremophilus var. kingii
2	Calyculi: bractlets inconspicuous; involucres 4–5(–6) mm diam.; phyllaries ± 8 or ± 13, 3–5 mm	Senecio eremophilus var. macdougalii