Tag Archives: Asteraceae
Know Your Natives – Perfoliated Boneset
Perfoliated Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum) of the Sunflower (Asteraceae) family can be distinguished from other members of the genus by its distinctive leaves. Genus name recognizes Mithridates Eupator (132-63 B.C.) King of Pontus, who invented a “universal antidote” against poisoning and … Continue reading
Know Your Natives – Rough Coneflower
Rough Coneflower (Rudbeckia grandiflora var. grandiflora*) of the Aster (Asteraceae) family is an upright herbaceous perennial with multiple slender stems bearing yellow composite flowers. Genus name honors “Olof Rudbeck the Younger”, a Swedish botanist. Specific epithet is derived from Latin … Continue reading
Know Your Natives – Ozark Sunflower
Ozark Sunflower (Helianthus silphioides) is a tall herbaceous perennial with large simple leaves and composite flowers with a purplish brown central disk and bright yellow ligules. The genus name is based on Greek words for sun (helios) and flower (anthos). … Continue reading
Know Your Natives – Sweet Coneflower
Sweet Coneflower (Rudbeckia subtomentosa) of the Aster family (Asteraceae) grows to 3-5 feet tall and has entire to lobed leaves. The genus name honors “Olof Rudbeck the Younger”, a Swedish botanist*. The specific epithet is Latin for “somewhat hairy” to … Continue reading
Know Your Natives – Purple Coneflower
Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) of the Sunflower or Composite (Asteraceae) family is an erect herbaceous perennial with large, showy, terminal flowerheads. The genus name is derived from a Greek word for “hedgehog” in reference to the spiny bracts that share … Continue reading
Know Your Natives – Pale Purple Coneflower
Pale Purple Coneflower (Echinacea pallida) of the Aster or Composite (Asteraceae) family is a heavily pubescent herbaceous perennial with long lanceolate leaves and large, spectacular flowerheads. The genus name is derived from a Greek word for “hedgehog” in reference to … Continue reading
Know Your Natives – Downy Ragged Goldenrod
Downy Ragged Goldenrod* (Solidago petiolaris**) of the Aster, Sunflower, or Composite (Asteraceae) family has stiff lanceolate leaves on unbranched stems that are topped by an unusually large array of golden-yellow flower heads. The genus name is based on the Latin … Continue reading
Know Your Natives – Late Boneset
Late Boneset (Eupatorium serotinum) of the Aster, Sunflower, or Composite (Asteraceae) family is a tall herbaceous perennial with small, clustered, whitish flowerheads that lack ray florets. The genus name recognizes Mithridates Eupator who invented a “universal antidote” against poisoning and … Continue reading
Know Your Natives – Mexican Hat
Mexican Hat (Ratibida columnifera) of the Aster, Sunflower, or Composite (Asteraceae) family is a perennial species that has flowerheads with a columnar central receptacle (disk). The origin of the genus name, coined by the eccentric naturalist Constantine Rafinesque-Schmaltz, is not … Continue reading
Know Your Natives – Prairie Ragwort
Prairie Ragwort (Packera plattensis, formerly Senecio plattensis) of the Aster, Sunflower, or Composite (Asteraceae) family is an herbaceous perennial with felty, white stem hairs and attractive, yellow, radiate flower heads. The genus name honors Canadian John G. Packer, author of … Continue reading
