Silverpuffs

Appearance

One flowerhead forms at the top of each stem. Flowerheads have no calyculi (short bractlets at the base of the involucre). There are between 2 and 8 outer phyllaries, and 3 to 18 inner phyllaries, somewhat longer. Phyllaries are mostly bright green, often reddish at the tip. The ligules are colored pale yellow, also sometimes reddish at the apex, and are less than or about the same length as the inner phyllaries. The seeds are thin, dark-brown and cylindrical, radiating out from the flower center, each topped by five radiating, silver-colored pappus scales, ending in a narrow bristle.

Distribution

Native to California, and also found elsewhere in western North America.

Status

Some authors accept only one species in the genus, U. lindleyi.

Habitat

Woodland, grassland, deserts, from near sea level to 6,000 feet