Heterotheca oregona explained

Heterotheca oregona is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae known by the common name Oregon false goldenaster. It is native to the west coast of Canada and the United States in British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, and California as far south as Los Angeles County.^{[1] [2] [3]}

Description

Heterotheca oregona is found in low-elevation mountain forests and chaparral, often near water. This is a perennial herb which is variable in appearance, with four somewhat indistinct varieties. It reaches a maximum height of 20 centimeters (8 inches) to one meter (40 inches), and is covered in small bristles. The inflorescence contains 1-15 flower heads in a flat-topped array. Each head has 14-60 yellowish disc florets but no ray florets. The fruit is an achene with a long grayish pappus.^[4]

Varieties^{[4] [2]}

• Heterotheca oregona var. compacta (D.D.Keck) Semple from Monterey County to Siskiyou County
  • Heterotheca oregona var. oregona - Washington, Oregon, California as far south as Monterey County Heterotheca oregona var. rudis (Greene) Semple - Oregon, California as far south as San Benito County and Amador County
• Heterotheca oregona var. scaberrima (A.Gray) Semple from Glenn County to San Luis Obispo County

External links

• Jepson Manual Treatment
• United States Department of Agriculture Plants Profile
• Calphotos Photo gallery, University of California

Notes and References

1. http://bonap.net/MapGallery/County/Heterotheca%20oregona.png Biota of North America Program 2014 county distribution map
2. http://www.calflora.org/cgi-bin/species_query.cgi?where-calrecnum=4143 Calflora taxon report, University of California, Heterotheca oregona (Nutt.) Shinn., Oregon false goldenaster, Oregon golden aster
3. http://www.pnwflowers.com/flower/heterotheca-villosa Turner Photographics, Heterotheca villosa - Wildflowers of the Pacific Northwest
4. http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=250066925 Flora of North America, Heterotheca oregona (Nuttall) Shinners, 1951. Oregon goldenaster