Common Names: Desert Dandelion, Smooth Desertdandelion, Desert-dandelion
Synonyms: Malacothrix glabrata, Malacothrix californica var. glabrata
Family: Asteraceae (Aster)
Habit: annual forb, herb
Size: up to 16 inches
Flowers: white, yellow 1-2.5 inches
Bloom: Mar, Apr, May, Jun ,Jul
Leaves: basal
Fruit: cypsela
Description:
A smooth plant with a few pinnately divided leaves and pale yellow flower heads on branched stems. In wet years this showy wildflower will form masses of yellow in sandy deserts. The name “glabrata” refers to the leaves being (nearly) hairless. Like other members of its genus, it has a milky sap and flower heads composed of smaller strap-like flowers called “ligules. Its fragrant, daisy-like flower heads are in shades of yellow or white, and flower heads may have an orange to red “button” in the center of the flower head, composed of several immature flowers.
Distribution: AZ, CA, ID, NM, NV, OR, UT
Seen: Nevada (Primm)
Habitat: sandy desert, plains, and washes
