Kingdom Plantae Tribe Heliantheae Scientific name Chaenactis fremontii Rank Species | Order Asterales Genus Chaenactis Higher classification Chaenactis | |
 | ||
Similar Chaenactis, Daisy family, Malacothrix glabrata, Eschscholzia minutiflora, Rafinesquia neomexicana | ||
Chaenactis fremontii, with the common names Fremont's pincushion and desert pincushion, is a species of annual wildflower in the daisy family. Both the latter common name, and the specific epithet are chosen in honor of John C. Frémont.
Contents
Distribution and habitat
Chaenactis fremontii is native to the Southwestern United States and northern Baja California. It grows in sandy and gravelly soils in the deserts and low mountains, such as the Mojave Desert in California and the Sonoran Desert habitats. It is found in California, Baja California, Arizona, Nevada, and southern Utah.
Description
Chaenactis fremontii grows in patches of long stems which are green when new and grow reddish with age. They may branch to extend many tall, almost naked stems. The sparse leaves are somewhat fleshy and long and pointed. Atop each erect stem is an inflorescence bearing usually one but sometimes more flower heads, each with plentiful densely packed disc florets. There may be very large ray florets around the edge of the discoid head. The flowers are white or very light pink.