Packera paupercula
Packera multilobata
balsam groundsel, Canadian butterweed
lobeleaf groundsel
1 or 2–4, loosely clustered, glabrous or sparsely tomentose proximally.
1 or 2–5, loosely clustered, usually glabrous or glabrescent, sometimes sparsely tomentose throughout, axils (basal leaves) tomentose.
petiolate;
blades lanceolate to narrowly elliptic or oblanceolate, 30–60+ × 10–20+ mm, bases tapering, sometimes obtuse, margins subentire to dentate or serrate.
(and proximal cauline) petiolate;
blades obovate, oblanceolate, spatulate, or lyrate to sublyrate (± pinnately lobed, lateral lobes 3–6 pairs, smaller than terminal lobes), 40–80+ × 10–30+ mm, bases tapering, ultimate margins incised to dentate.
gradually reduced (proximals petiolate, sublyrate; mids sessile, not clasping, lanceolate, dissected, incised, or lacerate; distals sessile, bractlike).
gradually reduced (sessile).
usually bracteate, sometimes ebracteate, glabrous.
conspicuously bracteate, glabrous or tomentose.
0, 8, or 13;
corolla laminae (pale yellow) 5–10+ mm.
8–13;
corolla laminae 7–10 mm.
50–65+;
corolla tubes 2–3 mm, limbs 2–3 mm.
40–50+;
corolla tubes 4–5 mm, limbs 3–4 mm.
13 or 21, green, 5–8+ mm, glabrous.
13–21, green (tips often yellow), 4–9+ mm, glabrous or sparsely tomentose (at least proximally).
inconspicuous.
conspicuous.
2–10+ in loose or compact, corymbiform arrays.
10–30+ in open, corymbiform or subumbelliform arrays.
1–2 mm, usually glabrous, sometimes hispidulous on ribs;
pappi 3.5–4.5 mm.
2–3 mm, glabrous or hirtellous on ribs;
pappi 5–6 mm.
= 44, 46, 92.
= 46, 92.
Packera paupercula
Packera multilobata
Ecologically and morphologically, Packera paupercula is the most variable species of the genus in North America. Some “phases” have been treated as separate species, subspecies, varieties, forms, and races. Variation within P. paupercula hints at some interesting evolutionary relationships; characteristics used to separate taxa overlap. Much of the morphologic variation in this species may be due to hybridization and introgression. I do not recognize any of the infraspecific taxa that have been proposed.
(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)
Packera multilobata is abundant and widespread west of the Continental Divide. Both morphology and habitat vary. In colder parts of its range, plants are shorter, caudices are better developed with clustered stems, and leaf lobes are larger. In desert-like habitats, basal leaves are narrower and more finely lobed, the tomentum is often persistent, and stems are usually single.
(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)
- Local floras:
BC, 
WA - Local Web sites:
Flora NW, 
Go Botany, 
IL Wildflowers, 
MD Biodiversity, 
MI Flora, 
MN Wildflowers, 
PNW Herbaria 
WildflowerSearch
iNaturalist (observations)
USDA Plants Database- LBJ Wildflower Center
- SEINet
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- Encyclopedia of Life
- Wikipedia
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CA
SW CO Wildflowers
