Grindelia fastigiata Family: Asteraceae (A Utah Flora – Compositae) - Sunflower Family Perennial herbs; 19.68” to 3.3' (5 to 10 dm) tall Leaves: alternate and basal; simple; entire or toothed; no hairs; upper leaves 0.6” to 5.2” (1.5 to 13 cm) long, 0.4” to 0.72” (10 to 18 mm) wide Flowers: discoid; yellow disk flowers, fertile; flower head appears to be a single flower, but is composed of several flowers (a composite); flowers are sticky; flower heads 0.5” wide Pollinators: other Grindelia species are pollinated by insects Fruits: achene – 1 seeded with hard shell Blooms in Arches National Park: June, July, August, September, October, November Habitat in Arches National Park: sandy terraces in desert shrub communities Location seen: Visitor Center, Courthouse Towers, park road north of Petrified Dunes, Salt Valley Other: The genus name, “Grindelia”, honors David Hieronymus Grindel (1776-1836) a German professor of botany at Riga, Latvia. The species name, “fastigiata”, means “with upright branches, or erect clusters of twigs or stems”. This plant is endemic to Emery, Grand and San Juan Counties in Utah and adjacent areas in Colorado (type specimen was collected in Grand Junction, Colorado). This family is the most advanced and complex of the dicots. The family is rich in oils and resins and is found in every part of the world, but is infrequent in the tropical rainforest. Aquatic or semi-aquatic species are also uncommon. |
Last updated: December 11, 2022