Rock Goldenrod

Petradoria pumila var. pumila

Family: Asteraceae (A Utah Flora – Compositae) – Sunflower Family

Perennial, slightly woody herbs; stems 4” to 1' (1 to 3 dm) tall

Leaves: alternate; entire; point on tip of leaf; 0.6” to 4.8” (1.5 to 12 cm) long, 0.04” to 0.44” (1 to 11 mm) wide

Flowers: 2 to 8 flowers; 1 to 3 yellow ray flowers, pistillate, fertile; 2 to 5 disk flowers; flower head appears to be a single flower, but is composed of several flowers (a composite). Ray flowers are 0.16” to 0.36” (4 to 9 mm) long; flowers are sticky, rays are compressed tightly together

Pollinators: other genera in this family are pollinated by insects

Fruits: achene – 1 seeded with hard shell

Blooms in Arches National Park: May, June, July, August, September

Habitat in Arches National Park: desert shrub and pinyon-juniper communities

Location seen: park road mile 16, Devils Garden campground amphitheater

Other: The genus name, “Petradoria”, means “rock-growing” referring to the habit of growing on or near rock surfaces. The species and variety name, “pumila”, means “dwarf” referring to the short stature of the plant.

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-aquatic species are also uncommon.