Paper flower
Psilostrophe villosa Rydb.
Images
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Morphology
- Stem
- Erect, several to many, clustered, branched, white-woolly.
- Leaves
- Alternate, simple, short-stalked below, sessile above, oblanceolate to spatulate, 1/2 to 4 inches long, to 3/4 inch wide, woolly; margins entire or lobed; upper leaves reduced.
- Inflorescence
- Small, congested clusters of heads, terminal; heads about 1/2 inch wide; bracts in 2 series, outer series 4-12, linear-lanceolate, densely woolly, inner series 1-7, smaller, rough.
- Flower
- Ray florets 3-4, 1/5 inch long, golden yellow, tips with 3-4 pronounced lobes; disk florets 5-12, corollas 5-toothed, golden yellow.
- Fruit
- Achenes, linear, glabrous, tipped with 4-6 linear-lanceolate scales, enclosing small seed.
Ecology
- Habitat
- Dry, open disturbed areas, sandy sites, and roadsides.
- Distribution
- Southwest 1/4 of Kansas.
Additional Notes
Comments
As the flowers mature, the ray florets turn whitish and papery, giving the plant its common name. Paper flower is well adapted to dry conditions.
Quick Facts
- Plant Type
- Wildflower
- Family
- Asteraceae - Sunflower Family
- Life Span
- Perennial
- Height
- 4-24 inches
- Last Updated
- 2007-10-05
Color Groups
Yellow Wildflowers
Flowering Period
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Blooms: May, June, July, August, September