Packera indecora

Last updated

Packera indecora
Rayless mountain ragwort imported from iNaturalist photo 45191413 on 21 August 2024.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Packera
Species:
P. indecora
Binomial name
Packera indecora
Synonyms

Senecio indecorus

Packera indecora is a species of flowering plant in the aster family known by the common names elegant groundsel and rayless mountain ragwort. It is native to northern North America including most of Canada and sections of the northernmost United States. It grows in moist mountain habitats, such as streamsides and meadows.

It is a perennial herb producing a single stem or a cluster of 2 or 3 stems from a branching caudex and a taproot. The plant reaches heights of ten centimeters to one meter. The leaves have thin, oblong or oval blades a few centimeters long borne on long petioles. Smaller, more intricately divided leaves may occur higher up the stem.

The inflorescence is an umbel-shaped array of up to 20 or more flower heads, each lined with green- or red-tipped phyllaries. The head contains many disc florets and occasionally a tiny yellow ray floret, though these are usually absent.