Anisocoma Explained

Anisocoma acaulis, commonly known as the scale bud, is a wildflower found in the Mojave, Colorado Deserts, and California's Owens Valley above 2000feet (states of Arizona, Nevada, California, Baja California, and Sonora), up to about 7000feet.^{[1] [2]}

It is the only known member of genus Anisocoma.^{[3] [4]}

The plant grows a flat mat of jagged lobed leaves that lie on the ground. It sends up stalks up to 20cm (10inches) tall topped with flowers which bloom from April to June. The flowers may be yellow or white with yellow centers. The frilly ray florets are rectangular with flat or slightly toothed tips. This flower is found growing in colonies in sandy places and washes, and bleeds milky sap if cut. The common name "scale bud" is a reference to the scaly appearance of the closed flower bud.^[5]

Further reading

• Stewart, Jon Mark (1998). Mojave Desert Wildflowers, p. 107.
• Blackwell, Laird R. (2002). Wildflowers of the Eastern Sierra and adjoining Mojave Desert and Great Basin, p. 59 .

External links

• Calflora: Anisocoma acaulis (Scalebud)
• Jepson Manual Treatment
• USDA Plants Profile
• UC Photos gallery

Notes and References

1. http://bonap.net/MapGallery/County/Anisocoma%20acaulis.png Biota of North America Program, 2013 county distributioni map
2. CONABIO. 2009. Catálogo taxonómico de especies de México. 1. In Capital Nat. México. CONABIO, México D.F.
3. https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/32267351#page/115/mode/1up Torrey, John & Asa Gray. 1845. Boston Journal of Natural History 5(1): 111
4. https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/32267351#page/152/mode/1up Torrey, John & Asa Gray. 1845. Boston Journal of Natural History 5(1): plate XIII, figures 7–11
5. http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=220000773 Flora of North America Anisocoma acaulis Torrey & A. Gray