Subshrubs or shrubs, 5–40 cm (often succulent or fleshy). Leaves mostly cauline; opposite (proximal) or distally or mostly alternate; sessile; blades mostly linear to filiform (terete or subterete), margins entire, faces glabrous. Heads radiate, borne singly. Calyculi 0. Involucres hemispheric or obconic. Phyllaries persistent, 12–16 in 2–4+ series (distinct, obovate or ovate to lanceolate or linear, unequal, striate with resinous nerves in Clappia). Receptacles convex, usually epaleate (paleae rarely scattered, subulate scales; receptacles sometimes with setiform or subulate enations). Ray florets 2–11 or 10–15, pistillate, fertile; corollas yellowish or yellow. Disc florets 20–100+, bisexual, fertile; corollas yellowish or yellow, tubes shorter than to longer than funnelform throats, lobes 5, deltate to narrowly lance-ovate; anther thecae pale; stigmatic papillae in 2 lines. Cypselae clavate to columnar (10–12-ribbed, sparsely hairy); pappi persistent, either of 12–25 subulate scales in 1 series, or of ca. 50 bristles or setiform scales in 3–4 series.

Distribution

sw United States, Mexico.

Discussion

Genera 2, species 3 (2 genera, 3 species in the flora).

Traditionally, Clappia has been included in Helenieae and Pseudoclappia in Senecioneae. H. Robinson (1981) suggested that the two genera are related to Varilla (Varillinae).

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

Clappia, Pseudoclappia

Key

1	Ray florets 10–15; pappi of 12–25 subulate scales in 1 series	Clappia
1	Ray florets 2–4; pappi of ca. 50 bristles or setiform scales in 3–4 series	Pseudoclappia