Pectis papposa var. papposa
Common chinch-weed, Chinch-Weed
Family: Asteraceae · Type: annual · Native
Common chinch-weed is a native annual herb found in the Mojave Desert and western Inyo County on arid plains and rocky slopes in creosote-bush scrub at elevations below 1,500 meters. Flowering after summer rain from August to November, this plant produces yellow ray flowers in compact clusters 6 to 10 millimeters wide with a distinctive spicy scent. Growing as a small mound-shaped plant 1 to 20 centimeters tall, it develops multiple stems from its base that are simple or extensively branched. Its leaves are narrow and linear, marked with gland-dotted margins that contribute to its aromatic character. The fruits are small, ranging from 2 to 4.5 millimeters long, with ray fruits having a low crown and disk fruits featuring approximately 20 plumose bristles.
Habitat: Arid plains, rocky slopes, in creosote-bush scrub
Bloom period: After summer rain, (Jun)Aug-Nov(Jan)
Elevation: < 1500 m
Bioregions: W&I, D
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.