Conyza canadensis var. glabrata Family: Asteraceae (A Utah Flora – Compositae) – Sunflower Family Annual herbs from taproots with watery juice; 2' to 4.3' (0.5 to 13 dm) tall Leaves: alternate; simple; 0.8” to 4” (2 to 10 cm) long, 0.8” to 3.2” (2 to 8 cm) wide Flowers: white or purplish small ray flowers and yellow disk flowers; ray flowers 0.02” to 0.04” (0.5 to 1 mm) long; 8 to 21 disk flowers, perfect, fertile, about 0.004” (0.1 mm) long; flower head appears to be a single flower, but is composed of several flowers (a composite). 25 to 40 female (pistillate) flowers Pollinators: bees and flies Fruits: achene – 1 seeded with hard shell Blooms in Arches National Park: August, September Habitat in Arches National Park: weed in riparian and moist disturbed areas Location seen: widespread Other: The genus name, “Conyza”, is from the Greek “konops” meaning “flea”, used by Pliny (an author and natural philosopher) as a name for a fleabane. The species name, “canadensis”, means “of or from Canada and North America” and refers to its distribution. The variety name, “glabrata”, means “somewhat glabrous (without hairs or smooth)”. 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. |
Last updated: January 28, 2022