| Xylorhiza cognata | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Asteraceae |
| Genus: | Xylorhiza |
| Species: | X. cognata |
| Binomial name | |
| Xylorhiza cognata | |
| Synonyms | |
Aster cognatus Contents | |
Xylorhiza cognata is a rare species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae known by the common names Mecca-aster and Mecca woodyaster. [2] [3]
The shrub is endemic to the Colorado Desert within southern California, in Riverside County and Imperial County. [2] Most known populations are in the Mecca Hills and Indio Hills, located on the southeast side of the Coachella Valley and northeast of the Salton Sea. [2] [4] [1]
It grows in arid canyons and bajadas/washes, below 400 metres (1,300 ft) within creosote bush scrub habitats of the Californian and northwestern Colorado Desert sub-region of the Sonoran Desert ecoregion of North America. [2]
Xylorhiza cognata is a woody subshrub with branching stems that may approach 1.5 metres (4.9 ft) in height. They are hairy and glandular when new and lose their hairs with age. The leaves are lance-shaped to oval with smooth, toothed, or spiny 'holly-like' edges. [5]
The inflorescence is a solitary flower head with up to 30 or more pale lavender to pale violet rays surrounding a yellow central disk. Each petal may measure over 2 centimeters in length. The flowering period is January to June. [5]
The fruit is an achene which may be over a centimeter long, including its pappus of bristles. [5]
Xylorhiza cognata is a listed Endangered species on the California Native Plant Society Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants. Threats to this species include recreational off-road and other vehicles, and potential property development projects. [4]
Xylorhiza is a genus of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae, known as woodyasters. These are daisylike wildflowers usually having blue to purple or white ray flowers with yellow centers of disc florets. Woodyasters are native to western North America.
Sidalcea malachroides, with the common name mapleleaf checkerbloom, is a flowering plant in the genus Sidalcea.
Eriogonum alpinum is a species of wild buckwheat known by the common name Trinity buckwheat.
Eryngium aristulatum, known by the common names California eryngo and Jepson's button celery, is a species of flowering plant in the family Apiaceae.
Fritillaria striata, the striped adobe lily, is an uncommon species of fritillary.
Adolphia californica, known by the common names California adolphia, California prickbush, and spineshrub, is a species of flowering shrub in the buckthorn family.
Arctostaphylos montaraensis, known by the common name Montara manzanita, is a species of manzanita in the family Ericaceae.
Arctostaphylos obispoensis is a species of manzanita, known by the common names bishop manzanita and serpentine manzanita, endemic to California.
Arctostaphylos pilosula is a species of manzanita, known by the common names La Panza manzanita and Santa Margarita manzanita, that is endemic to California.
Eryngium pinnatisectum is an uncommon species of flowering plant in the family Apiaceae, known by the common names Tuolumne eryngo and Tuolumne button celery.
Hackelia brevicula is a species of flowering plant in the borage family known by the common name Poison Canyon stickseed.
Leptosiphon acicularis is a species of flowering plant in the phlox family known by the common names bristly linanthus and bristly leptosiphon.
Leptosiphon grandiflorus is a species of flowering plant in the phlox family known by the common names large-flower linanthus and large flowered leptosiphon.
Navarretia setiloba is a rare species of flowering plant in the phlox family known by the common names Paiute Mountain pincushionplant and Piute Mountains navarretia.
Perityle inyoensis, known by the common names Inyo rockdaisy and Inyo laphamia, is a rare species of flowering plant in the aster family.
Plagiobothrys parishii, known by the common name Parish's popcornflower, is an uncommon species of flowering plant in the borage family.
Tetracoccus ilicifolius is a rare species of flowering shrub in the family Picrodendraceae known by the common names hollybush and holly-leaved tetracoccus.
Xylorhiza orcuttii is a perennial plant in the family Asteraceae known by the common name Orcutt's aster. It is native to southern California and northern Baja California, where it grows in scrubby habitat in the dry canyons of the Sonoran Desert. It often grows in rocky and sandy substrates, clay, and alkaline soils amongst cactus. It is a shrub with branching, mostly hairless stems that may reach 1.5 meters in length. The leaves are lance-shaped to oblong with smooth, toothed, or spiny edges. The inflorescence is a solitary flower head with up to 40 or more lavender or pale blue ray florets, each of which may measure over 3 centimeters in length. Flowering may begin as early as late fall or winter. The fruit is an achene which may be over a centimeter long, including its pappus of bristles.
Xylorhiza tortifolia is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae, known by the common names Mojave-aster and Mojave woodyaster.
Navarretia ojaiensis is a rare species of flowering plant in the phlox family known by the common name Ojai navarretia.
