Malacothrix saxatilis is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae known by the common names cliff desertdandelion or cliff aster.[1] It is endemic to California, where it grows in the central and southern coastal hills and mountain ranges.[2] It is a perennial herb growing 30 to 60 centimeters tall from a rhizome and caudex unit. The leaves are variable in size and shape and may be lobed or not. The inflorescence is an array of flower heads lined with lance-shaped phyllaries. The ray florets are 1 or 2 centimeters long and white in color.
| Malacothrix saxatilis | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Asteraceae |
| Genus: | Malacothrix |
| Species: | M. saxatilis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Malacothrix saxatilis | |
There are five varieties which intergrade, some of which are very limited in distribution.
References
edit- ^ "Plant of the Month Page". Santa Monica Mountains Trails Council. Retrieved 2024-10-02.
- ^ "Malacothrix saxatilis Torr. & A.Gray | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 2024-10-02.
External links
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