Eriophyllum confertiflorum var. confertiflorum
Leaf blades cuneate to obovate, 0.5–5 cm, the larger 1–2-pinnately lobed, lobes linear, the smaller 3–5-lobed or -toothed. Heads 10–30+ per array. Peduncles 0–1(–2) cm. Involucres 3–5 mm diam. Phyllaries 4–6, broadly elliptic, apices obtuse. Ray florets usually 4–6, rarely 0; laminae 2–4 mm. Disc florets 10–35; corollas 2–3 mm. Cypselae 1.5–3 mm; pappi 0.5–1 mm. 2n = 16, 32, 48, 64.
Phenology: Flowering Mar–Jul.
Habitat: Dry, sandy to rocky sites, coastal scrub to forest communities
Elevation: 0–3500 m
Distribution
Calif., Mexico.
Discussion
Members of var. confertiflorum complex hybridize with at least four varieties of Eriophyllum lanatum. Eriophyllum latilobum, E. jepsonii, E. confertiflorum var. tanacetiflorum, and some populations of E. confertiflorum var. confertiflorum with larger, broader leaves and longer peduncles may have resulted from such hybridizations (L. Constance 1937; P. A. Munz 1959; J. S. Mooring 1994).
Some southern California Indian tribes used var. confertiflorum as a remedy for rheumatism (E. C. Jaeger 1941). It has been introduced into cultivation as an ornamental.
Selected References
None.