Parish's Goldeneye

Bahiopsis parishii
(Viguiera deltoidea)

 
Bahiopsis parishii pen&ink © by Michael Plagens

The cone-like structures at left are galls produced by the plant in response to the feeding of tiny moth larvae. At right an achene with its subtending bract is shown enlarged.

queen butterfly at Bahiopsis parishii

Butterflies such as the Queen find nectar in the flowers. Dec. 2019. Palm Canyon, KOFA Mts., Arizona.

Flower head of Bahiopsis parishii

LEAVES: Oval-triangular leaves are covered with short gritty hairs. Think sandpaper. The lower leaves tend to be opposite on the stem, the upper alternate.

SHRUB: Weakly shrubby plant is normally rather sparse and less than 1 m (occas. 2 m) tall. Becoming leafless and dying back after drought or hard frost.

RANGE: Common at mid elevations in the Sonoran Desert on rocky slopes and sometimes wash banks.

FLOWERS: Yellow flowers are similar to those of Brittle Bush but the yellow color is darker, more orangish. They bloom mostly in spring, but a few flowers can be found open nearly year round.

ACHENE: Seeds are borne in heads and there is a papery bract subtending each floret. The top of the achene has two to several small scales.

UNARMED. Without thorns.

Asteraceae -- Sunflower Family

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seed head of Bahiopsis parishii

Sturdy bracts enclose these nearly mature seeds. Dec. 2019. Palm Canyon, KOFA Mts., Arizona.

More Information:


Sonoran Desert Field Guide
Sonoran Desert Places
Sonoran Desert Naturalist Home Page


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Copyright Michael J. Plagens, page created 6 Nov. 2003,
updated 3 Feb. 2019.