Blepharipappus is a North American plant genus in the family Asteraceae containing the single known species Blepharipappus scaber, known by the common name rough eyelash, or rough eyelashweed.[1] Blepharis is Greek for 'eyelash' and 'pappus' refers to the feathery part of the plant's seeds.
Blepharipappus scaber is a small, inconspicuous, annual plant herb to the northwestern United States (Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Nevada, and northern California).[2] It grows in sandy soil in forests at elevations of 300–2200 meters (1000–7300 feet)[3] and in the western portion of the sagebrush steppe.
Growing up to several inches in height, the plant raises slender, fuzzy stems, with alternate leaves.[4] Atop the stems bloom between one and several daisylike flower heads. These have 3–8 three-lobed ray florets, which are white with purple markings, while the center of the head is packed with about 10 white disc florets with purple anthers. The fruit is a dark achene which often bears a pappus of a few stiff, light colored bristles, resembling human eyelashes (hence the common name of the plant).
Some Plateau Indian tribes used as part of a treatment for bloody diarrhea.[5]
The species is similar to Layia glandulosa, which has yellow disc flowers.
