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nodding sunray, noddinghead

Habit Perennials, 10–25 cm (roots swollen, 6–10 cm).
Stems

± subterranean (except peduncles).

Leaves

basal;

petioles 20–35 mm;

blades green, broadly ovate, 30–40 mm, faces glabrous or substrigose (sometimes rugose).

Peduncles

hairy.

Involucres

12–22 mm.

Ray florets

0.

Disc corollas

yellow, 6–8 mm.

Phyllaries

lanceolate.

Heads

borne singly (nodding in fruit).

Cypselae

7–12 mm;

pappi usually 0, rarely of 2 bristlelike awns.

2n

= 36.

Encelia nutans

Phenology Flowering Apr.
Habitat Flat areas with heavy soils
Elevation 1300–1900 m (4300–6200 ft)
Distribution
from FNA
CO; UT
[WildflowerSearch map]
[BONAP county map]
Discussion

Encelia nutans shares the apically notched and glabrous-faced cypselae of the genus, but its geophyte habit, especially the ephemeral nature of its aboveground parts, is unique in either Encelia or Enceliopsis.

(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)

Source FNA vol. 21, p. 120.
Parent taxa Asteraceae > tribe Heliantheae > subtribe Ecliptinae > Encelia
Sibling taxa
E. actoni, E. californica, E. farinosa, E. frutescens, E. resinifera, E. scaposa, E. virginensis
Synonyms Enceliopsis nutans
Name authority Eastwood: Zoë 2: 230. (1891)
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