Angiosperms: Dicotyledons

Asteraceae
Daisy Family

• Stem: perennial; 3’ to 4’ tall; unbranched; hairy, especially the upper third; with milky juice in the stem and leaves.
• Leaves: alternate; oval with clasping bases (sessile) and pointed tips; 4 1/2” by 1 1/2” and smaller; with occasional teeth (1/16” long); with short, stiff hairs above and below.
• Inflorescence: two or three heads on short (1/4”) stalks from the upper leaf axils; total inflorescence 4” to 8” long; cylindric.
• Heads: only ray flowers; ray flowers cream-colored, 5/8” across; outer fillaries short, inner 3/8” tall, long-hairy; flowering from mid-August to early September.
• Fruits: “seeds” (fruits) 1/4” long, ribbed; plumes 5/16” long; fruiting begins in late August.
• Habitat: very uncommon on dry to moist prairies.
• Bibliography from Biodiversity Heritage Library
• Vascular Plants of Iowa