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Lazy daisy

Aphanostephus skirrhobasis (DC.) Trel.

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Lazy daisy
Lazy daisy
Lazy daisy inflorescence
Lazy daisy leaves
Lazy daisy

Morphology

Stem
Erect or bushy-branched, soft gray-pubescent.
Leaves
Alternate, simple, soft gray-pubescent; lower leaves spatulate, 1 to 4 inches long, to 4/5 inch wide; divided, toothed or nearly entire; bases narrowed into margined stalks; tips blunt; middle and upper leaves oblanceolate to oblong, progressively reduced, mostly sessile; tips blunt or pointed; uppermost bract-like.
Inflorescence
Heads, solitary, long-stalked, terminal, .75 to 1.5 inch wide; bracts lanceolate, overlapping in 4-5 poorly defined series; tips pointed; margins rough.
Flower
Ray florets 20-44, 1/4 to 3/5 inch long, upper surface white, lower surface reddish purple or rose, color often in streaks; disk florets numerous, yellow, bases swollen and hardened at maturity.
Fruit
Achenes, less than 1/10 inch long, ribbed, tipped with about 5 unequal, pointed scales, enclosing small seed.

Ecology

Habitat
Prairies, open woods, and roadsides, on dry, sandy sites.
Distribution
South-central Kansas.

Additional Notes

Comments

The common name lazy daisy refers to the behavior of the flowers remaining closed until mid-morning. It sometimes is cultivated as an ornamental.

Quick Facts
Plant Type
Wildflower
Family
Asteraceae - Sunflower Family
Life Span
Annual
Height
4-20 inches
Last Updated
2007-09-14
Color Groups
White, Green & Greenish White Wildflowers
Flowering Period
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Blooms: May, June, July