Agoseris glauca, August 23, 2023
Common & scientific name
Pale agoseris, Agoseris glauca
Family
Sunflower, Asteraceae
Location
Independence Ridge, 11,500’
Fun, weird, helpful, or little known fact
This flower can look at first glance like a dandelion, with its single yellow flower head on a leafless stalk. The big differences lie in the phyllaries and the basal leaves: the phyllaries do not curl over backwards like a dandelion’s, and are green with purple stripes; and the leaves are simple, not cut. It’s fruit, called a cypsela, has soft, white bristles resembling the puff ball of a dandelion (photo to come!)