Malacothrix clevelandii
in W. H. Brewer et al., Bot. California 1: 433. 1876.
Annuals, 4–36 cm. Stems 1–5, erect or ascending, branched mostly distally, glabrous. Cauline leaves: proximal oblanceolate to lance-linear, sometimes pinnately lobed, not fleshy, ultimate margins usually dentate, faces glabrous; distal reduced (margins 2–4-dentate near bases or entire). Calyculi of 5–12, lance-deltate to lanceolate bractlets, hyaline margins 0.05–0.2 mm. Involucres narrowly campanulate, 4–8+ × 2–4+ mm. Phyllaries 8–15+ in 2+ series, lance-linear to linear, ± equal, hyaline margins 0.05–0.3 mm wide, abaxial faces glabrous. Receptacles not bristly. Florets (19–67); corollas pale yellow, 4–7.4 mm; outer ligules exserted 1–3 mm. Cypselae fusiform or prismatic, 1.2–1.8 mm, ribs extending to apices, 5 more prominent than others; persistent pappi of 15–24+, needlelike teeth plus 1 bristle. Pollen 70–100% 3-porate, mean 25 µm. 2n = 14.
Phenology: Flowering Mar–Jun.
Habitat: Cleared areas (burns, slides), usually chaparral, rarely margins of creosote bush shrub
Elevation: 20–1500 m
Distribution
Introduced; Calif., Mexico (Baja California), South America (Argentina, Chile).
Discussion
Malacothrix clevelandii grows in northwestern California, Sierra Nevada foothills, San Joaquin Valley, central western California, and northern Channel Islands (Santa Rosa Island).
Selected References
None.