Species Detail Forb

Flower head		Yavapai County Native & Naturalized Plants Rafinesquia californica - California plumeseed Other Common Names: California chicory Plant Form: Forb or Subshrub Family: Asteraceae
Flower head


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Flowers and leaves Max Licher @http://swbiodiversity.org, Usage Rights: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (CC BY-SA)	Plant Max Licher @http://swbiodiversity.org, Usage Rights: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (CC BY-SA)

Forb Plant Description

Origin: Native Life Cycle: Annual Similar Species: Rafinesquia neomexicana
General Desc: Single stem containing a milky sap which becomes branched in the upper half of the plant.
Identification notes: This species can be distinguished from the only other Rafinesquia species by the tips of the achene exceeding the body of the achene; pappus bristles wholly plumose, barbs straight, not tangled; shorter ray flowers surpassing phyllaries by 5-7mm.
Height: 4 to 30 inches

Habitat

Habitat Description: Prefers open places in sage scrub, chapparal, desert and woodlands. Often the first plant to establish after a fire.
Plant Communities: Desert Scrub, Interior Chaparral, Pinyon Juniper Woodland, Disturbed Areas
Elevation: 3000 - 4500 feet

Flower Characteristics

Color: White Shape: Daisy or dandelion-like not in clusters Tubular: N Flowering Period: Apr - Jun
Description: Each plant produces many white flowerheads. Floweheads have only ray flowers that are often rose-tinged on the underside.

Leaf and Stem Characteristics

Leaf Color: Green Leaf Type: Simple Leaf Shape: Round or oval Leaf Margin: Lobed Leaf Attachment: Basal and alternate Leaves Clasp: N
Hairs: No Spines: N
Leaf Description: Leaves are most numerous at the base with very few on the stems.

Fruit and Seed Characteristics

Fruit Color: Light brown
Fruit Type: Achene
Fruit Notes: Smooth to hairy with a beak and bristles.
Seed Notes: Seeds germinate more readily in the presence of burned wood.


	Arizona Cooperative Extension Yavapai County 840 Rodeo Dr #C Prescott, AZ 86305 (928) 445-6590	Version 8.0 http://cales.arizona.edu/yavapaiplants/SpeciesDetailForb.php Last Updated: Dec 13, 2022 Content Questions/Comments: Email Matt Halldorson Legal Disclaimer