Hymenoxys acaulis Synonym: Tetraneuris ivesiana Family: Asteraceae (A Utah Flora – Compositae) – Sunflower Family Perennial aromatic herbs from a taproot; up to 20” (50 cm) tall Leaves: all basal or some upper ones along stem alternate; simple; entire; has hairs (woolly at the base giving this plant it's common name); 0.16” to 2.4” (0.4 to 6 cm) long, 0.04” to 0.32” (1 to 8 mm) wide Flowers: ray flowers and disk flowers; flower head appears to be a single flower, but is composed of several flowers (a composite). 5 to 15 yellow fertile rays 0.12” to 0.8” (3 mm to 2 cm) long; yellow disk flowers perfect, fertile, 0.24” to 0.8” (6 to 20 mm) wide Pollinators: other genera in this family are pollinated by insects Fruits: achene – 1 seeded with hard shell Blooms in Arches National Park: March, April, May, June, July, August Habitat in Arches National Park: desert shrub, grassland and pinyon-juniper communities Location seen: park road mile 0 to 2.5, hill behind visitor center, park road near Salt Valley overlook Other: The genus name, “Hymenoxys”, is from the Greek “hyme” which means “membrane” and “oyxs” which means “sharp” in reference to the pointed pappus scales. The species name, “acaulis”, means “without a stem” and refers to the very short woody base of the plant. 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 12, 2022