Gamochaeta stagnalis explained

Gamochaeta stagnalis, the desert cudweed, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. It is native to Mexico, Guatemala, and the southwestern United States (California, Arizona, New Mexico).^{[1] [2] [3]}

Gamochaeta stagnalis is an annual herb up to 35cm (14inches) tall, producing a slender taproot. Leaves are up to 3cm (01inches) long. The plant forms many small flower heads in tightly packed clumps. Each head contains 3–4 purple disc flowers but no ray flowers.^{[1] [4]}

Gamochaeta stagnalis is very similar to G. purpureum and some G. stagnalis specimens (especially from Arizona) have been misidentified as that species.^[1]

Notes and References

1. http://www.guynesom.com/Gamochaetarecords.pdf Guy L. Nesom 2004. New distribution records for Gamochaeta (Asteraceae: Gnaphalieae) in the United States. Sida 21(2): 1175–1185.
2. http://bonap.net/MapGallery/County/Gamochaeta%20stagnalis.png Biota of North America Program 2014 county distribution map
3. http://www.calflora.org/cgi-bin/species_query.cgi?where-calrecnum=11712 Calflora taxon report, University of California, Gamochaeta stagnalis (I.M. Johnst.) Anderb.
4. http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=250066794 Flora of North America, Gamochaeta stagnalis (I. M. Johnston) Anderberg, 1991. Desert cudweed