Stephanomeria occultata explained

Stephanomeria occultata is a species of rhizomatous flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. It is endemic to northern Utah.[1]

Origin of its name

Stephanomeria occultata was discovered in a parking lot for launching rafts into the river in 2018. Occultata means hidden in Latin. It showed in a Google street view image in 2015, 3 years before its discovery before someone came along and decided to key it. When they realized that it didn't match any species listed, they suspected a new species and that is how Stephanomeria occultata was discovered.

Notes and References

  1. Wellard . Blake . Baker . Jason . 21 June 2018 . Stephanomeria occultata (Asteraceae: Cichorieae), a New Species of Wirelettuce from Northern Utah, and a Key to all Perennial Wirelettuce . 3 July 2018 . Systematic Botany . 43 . 2 . 595–601 . 10.1600/036364418x697328. 89662681 .