Senecio actinella
Senecio bigelovii
Flagstaff ragwort
nodding groundsel, nodding ragwort
densely lanate-tomentose, glabrescent (especially on adaxial faces of leaves).
usually floccose-tomentose to glabrescent, sometimes glabrous.
single.
single or loosely clustered.
mostly basal; petiolate;
blades narrowly obovate, (2–)3–7(–10) × 1–2(–3+) cm, bases tapered, margins subentire to denticulate (cauline leaves bractlike).
progressively reduced distally; petiolate (proximal);
blades ovate to lanceolate, 7–15 × (1–)2–5 cm, bases contracted or tapered, margins subentire or serrate to dentate (mid and distal leaves similar, sessile, bractlike, often clasping).
± 13;
corolla laminae usually 8–10 mm (sometimes tubular, unexpanded, heads then perhaps technically disciform).
0.
± 21, 8–12 mm, tips greenish (with white bristles).
± 13 or ± 21, 6–12 mm, tips green.
of (1–)5–8+ linear to filiform bractlets (lengths 1/3–3/4 phyllaries).
of 4–10 linear bractlets (lengths mostly 1/3–1/2 phyllaries, sometimes 1 or 2 equaling phyllaries).
1(–3).
nodding (especially when young), (1–)3–12(–20) in racemiform or paniculiform arrays (terminal heads often largest).
hairy.
glabrous.
= 40.
Senecio actinella
Senecio bigelovii
Plants of Senecio actinella with relatively small proximal leaves similar to basal leaves and adaxial leaf faces early glabrate have been recognized as var. mogollonicus; the distinction is difficult to maintain. Receptacles in Senecio actinella are sometimes insect-infested.
(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)
Varieties 2 (2 in the flora).
The two varieties of Senecio bigelovii are distinguished by morphologic tendencies and by geography.
(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)
1. Herbage glabrous or nearly so (at flowering); blades of proximal leaves often abruptly contracted or at least obtuse at bases; mid and distal leaves clasping; phyllaries mostly 13, 6–8+ mm | var. bigelovii |
1. Herbage often floccose-tomentose, especially among heads and on abaxial faces of leaves; blades of proximal leaves usually tapered to petioles; mid and distal leaves weakly, if at all, clasping; phyllaries mostly 21, (7–)8–12 mm | var. hallii |
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