Perennials or subshrubs, (1–)5–60(–70) cm (usually aromatic). Stems 1–5+ (with interxylary cork), lax to erect, branched from bases or throughout, glabrous or sericeous to tomentose (hairs medifixed), usually gland-dotted as well. Leaves mostly basal (sometimes in rosettes) or basal and cauline; alternate; petiolate or sessile; blades obovate to cuneate or linear, usually 1–2-pinnately or -palmately lobed (ultimate lobes oblanceolate to linear) or apically 3-toothed or -lobed, ultimate margins entire, faces glabrous or ± sericeous to tomentose and usually gland-dotted. Heads disciform, borne singly or (2–60+) in usually corymbiform, rarely paniculiform, arrays or in subcapitate clusters. Involucres hemispheric to campanulate, 3–5(–12) mm diam. Phyllaries persistent, (8–)12–20+ in 2–3+ series, mostly obovate, unequal to subequal, margins and apices (colorless, pinkish, or brownish) scarious. Receptacles conic to nearly flat (villous in S. potentilloides), epaleate. Ray florets 0 (peripheral pistillate florets 4–15+; corollas ± filiform, lobes usually 3). Disc florets 30–50+, bisexual, fertile; corollas usually bright yellow (ochroleucous in S. cana), tubes ± cylindric, throats ± campanulate, lobes 5, ± deltate (tips glabrous or hairy). Cypselae columnar or obovoid to obconic, ribs 2–3 or 5–10, faces glabrous or gland-dotted (pericarps with myxogenic cells only in S. potentilloides, without resin sacs); pappi usually 0 (of 3–5 subulate scales in S. compacta). x = 9.

Distribution

w United States, nw Mexico.

Discussion

Species 9 (8 in the flora).

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

Sphaeromeria argentea, Sphaeromeria cana, Sphaeromeria capitata, Sphaeromeria compacta, Sphaeromeria diversifolia, Sphaeromeria potentilloides, Sphaeromeria ruthiae, Sphaeromeria simplex

Key

1	Receptacles villous; cypselae becoming mucilaginous when wet	Sphaeromeria potentilloides
1	Receptacles glabrous; cypselae not mucilaginous when wet	> 2
2	Subshrubs, 20–70 cm; leaves mostly cauline (not forming basal clusters)	> 3
2	Perennials, 1–20 cm (often cespitose); leaves mostly basal (commonly forming clusters)	> 5
3	Corollas ochroleucous, lobes villous	Sphaeromeria cana
3	Corollas yellow, lobes glabrous or gland-dotted	> 4
4	Leaves glabrous; heads 5–20 in corymbiform or subumbelliform arrays (as wide as or wider than long)	Sphaeromeria diversifolia
4	Leaves tomentose; heads (8–)10–30(–60) in paniculiform arrays (longer than wide)	Sphaeromeria ruthiae
5	Heads 1–7 (S. argentea) or 8–20	> 6
5	Heads 1–3(–5)	> 7
6	Leaf blades (± cuneate, 7–15 mm) entire or apices 3(–5)-toothed or -lobed, faces silvery-canescent; heads usually in subcapitate to corymbiform arrays (1–1.5 cm across), sometimes borne singly	Sphaeromeria argentea
6	Leaf blades (± cuneate, 8–20 mm) usually 1–2-pinnati-palmately lobed (ultimate lobes ± linear), faces ± tomentose; heads in tight, capitate arrays (1–1.3 cm across)	Sphaeromeria capitata
7	Leaves: blades (10–25 mm) pinnati-palmately lobed (lobes 3–6+, ± oblanceolate to linear) or linear, faces sericeous (pappi of 3–5, subulate scales)	Sphaeromeria compacta
7	Leaves: blades (15–30 × 1.5–8 mm) pinnati-palmately lobed (lobes 2–3, linear, 1–2 mm wide) or linear, faces silvery-canescent	Sphaeromeria simplex