Viscid Rabbitbrush (Low Rabbitbrush)
Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus Family: Asteraceae (A Utah Flora – Compositae) – Sunflower Family Shrubs; 8” to 3.3' (2 to 10 dm) tall Leaves: alternate; simple; entire; 0.12” to 2.4” (0.3 to 6 cm) long, 0.02” to 0.4” (0.5 to 10 mm) wide Flowers: discoid; 2 to 10 yellow disk flowers; flower head appears to be a single flower, but is composed of several flowers (a composite). Flowers are perfect, fertile; 0.15” to 0.24” (3.8 to 6 mm) long Pollinators: insects Fruits: achene – 1 seeded with hard shell Blooms in Arches National Park: June, July, August, September, October, November Habitat in Arches National Park: desert shrub, grassland and pinyon-juniper communities Location seen: Courthouse Towers, Windows, Fiery Furnace parking lot, Salt Valley, park road mile 16, Devils Garden, Devils Garden campground Other: The genus name, “Chrysothamnus”, is from the Greek “chrysos” meaning “golden” and “thamos” meaning “a shrub”. The species name, “viscidiflorus”, means “sticky flowers”. This family is the most advanced and complex of the dicots. The family is rich in oils and resins and is found in every part of the world, but is infrequent in the tropical rainforest. Aquatic or semi |
Did You Know?
The dirt is alive! A living crust called "Biological Soil Crust" covers much of Arches and the surrounding area. Composed of algae, lichens and bacteria, this crust provides a secure foundation for desert plants. Please stay on roads and trails to avoid trampling this important resource. More...