Angiosperms: Dicotyledons

Asteraceae
Daisy Family

• Stem: perennial; very short, basal leaves; with milky juice in the stem and leaves.
• Leaves: basal; linear, tapering to a sharp tip, 5” (to 8”) by 1/2”; smooth with a prominent midrib.
• Inflorescence: a single head on a leafless, hairy flower stalk, about 6” to 12” tall.
• Heads: only ray flowers; ray flowers yellow, heads about 1” across; fillaries sharp-tipped, 3/4” long; resembling dandelion except with fewer flowers per head; flowering from early to mid-May.
• Flowers: 1/4” long, spindle-shaped with prominent grooves; plumes of hairs 1/2” long attached at one end; fruiting begins in mid-May.
• Habitat: very uncommon on dry, rocky prairies and Loess Hills prairies.
• Bibliography from Biodiversity Heritage Library
• Vascular Plants of Iowa