Helminthotheca Echioides, Bristly Ox-Tongue
Plants > Wildflowers > Asteraceae > Helminthotheca Echioides
Common name:
Bristly ox-tongue
Family:
Scientific name:
Helminthotheca echioides
Main flower color:
Range:
Small areas of the Pacific states, and northwest Nevada (non-native)
Height:
Up to 6 feet
Habitat:
Roadsides, field margins, waste ground, disturbed areas
Leaves:
Oblong, up to 8 inches long, with teeth or spines along the edge and bristles on the surface
Season:
January to December
Native to Africa and Europe, in the US helminthotheca echioides is found in scattered, low elevation regions of California, Nevada, Oregon and Washington, where it can bloom any time of year. The ribbed stems are thick and rigid, reaching heights of six feet or more, and bear many spiny, bristly leaves, which may have small lobes along the edges. Upper stem leaves may be clasping; those lower down the stem have short, winged stalks.
Flowerheads are produced in small clusters at the top of the branches; they are 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter, formed of many ligulate (ray-like) yellow florets, which have four notches at the tip. The upper undersurfaces of the florets are streaked reddish purple. The broad, green outer phyllaries (3 to 5 of them) are large and spreading, bristly and leaf-like.
Flowerheads are produced in small clusters at the top of the branches; they are 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter, formed of many ligulate (ray-like) yellow florets, which have four notches at the tip. The upper undersurfaces of the florets are streaked reddish purple. The broad, green outer phyllaries (3 to 5 of them) are large and spreading, bristly and leaf-like.
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