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Malacothrix glabrata (A. Gray ex D.C. Eaton) A. Gray

Smooth desert dandelion, desert dandelion

KingdomPlantaePlants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
SubkingdomTracheobiontaVascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
DivisionMagnoliophytaFlowering plants, also known as angiosperms
ClassMagnoliopsidaDicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves
SubclassAsteridaeA large class that encompasses asters
OrderAsteralesFlowering plants with a central disk flower and surrounding petals, like daisies
FamilyAsteraceaeThe aster family, which also includes daisies and sunflowers; from the Greek ἀστήρ, “star,” for the star-shaped flowers
GenusMalacothrixFrom the Greek malakos, “soft,” and thrix, “hair,” thus referring to the wooliness of the young plant
SpeciesglabrataSomewhat glabrous

About plant names...

Desert dandelion is native to southwestern North America.

Identification: Plants are 8-16″ (20-40 cm) tall. There are few leaves, mostly at the base; upper leaves are alternate, pinnate, 3-6″ (7.6-15 cm) long and threadlike. Flowers are yellow, light yellow, white, or white with yellow centers. Young flowers not yet fully opened have a red spot in the center. Flowers resemble dandelions in shape, and are ¾-1¾″ (1.9-4.4 cm) in diameter. Each of the many ray flower petals have serrated tips with five serrations.

Online References:

CalPhotos

Southeastern Arizona Wildflowers and the Plants of the Sonoran Desert

Vascular Plants of the Gila Wilderness

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

The Mindbird Maps and Books unofficial Mojave National Preserve site

SEINet—the Southwest Environmental Information Network

The Jepson Manual

Malacothrix glabrata (smooth desert dandelion, desert dandelion)

2/28/2010 · Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Cali­fornia · ≈ 9 × 6″ (23 × 15 cm)

Malacothrix glabrata (smooth desert dandelion, desert dandelion)

2/28/2010 · Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Cali­fornia · ≈ 1½ × 1′ (52 × 34 cm)

Malacothrix californica DC. var. glabrata A. Gray ex D.C. Eaton

 

Malacothrix glabrata description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 25 May 2020.

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Malacothrix glabrata (smooth desert dandelion, desert dandelion)

2/28/2010 · Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Cali­fornia · ≈ 9 × 6″ (22 × 14 cm)

Malacothrix glabrata (smooth desert dandelion, desert dandelion)

2/28/2010 · Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Cali­fornia · ≈ 11 × 7″ (27 × 18 cm)

Malacothrix glabrata (smooth desert dandelion, desert dandelion)

2/28/2010 · Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Cali­fornia · ≈ 2 × 1′ (62 × 41 cm)

Malacothrix glabrata (smooth desert dandelion, desert dandelion)

4/30/2018 · Kelso Depot Visitor Center, Mojave National Preserve, Cali­fornia · ≈ 8 × 5″ (20 × 13 cm) ID is uncertain

Malacothrix glabrata (smooth desert dandelion, desert dandelion)

Blue flowers are Phacelia. · 2/28/2010 · Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Cali­fornia · ≈ 15 × 10″ (39 × 26 cm)

Range:

About this map...