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Thymophylla pentachaeta var. pentachaeta
Thymophylla pentachaeta (DC.) Small var. pentachaeta
Parralena, Fiveneedle Pricklyleaf, Dogweed, Dyssodia
Asteraceae (Aster Family)
Synonym(s): Dyssodia pentachaeta, Hymenatherum pentachaetum
USDA Symbol: THPEP
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
Fiveneedle pricklyleaf is small and erect, 4-10 inches tall. It has many branches with slender, needle-like leaves about 1/2 inch long, divided into narrow lobes tipped with a spine. The flower heads, 1/2 inch across, are above the leaves at the end of stems about 3 inches long. They are yellow and numerous, with prominent protruding yellow centers.
Strong-scented plants that have a lingering, unpleasant odor.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb , Subshrub
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf Arrangement: Opposite
Leaf Complexity: Pinnate
Size Notes: Up to about 10 inches tall.
Fruit: Fruit is a cypsela (pl. cypselae). Though technically incorrect, the fruit is often referred to as an achene.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Orange , YellowBloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct
Bloom Notes: Tends to flower after rains.
Distribution
USA: NM , TXNative Habitat: Dry roadsides, gravelly slopes, washes and rocky places, often on limestone throughout Texas.
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: SunBenefit
Fragrant Flowers: yesAttracts: Birds
Deer Resistant: High
Value to Beneficial Insects
Special Value to Native BeesThis information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Brackenridge Field Laboratory - Austin, TX
Nueces River Authority - Uvalde, TX
Herbarium Specimen(s)
NPSOT 0073 Collected Oct. 14, 1990 in Bexar County by Mollie WaltonNPSOT 0632 Collected Nov 4, 1993 in Bexar County by Mike Fox
Bibliography
Bibref 248 - Texas Wildflowers: A Field Guide (1984) Loughmiller, C. & L. LoughmillerSearch More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Additional resources
USDA: Find Thymophylla pentachaeta var. pentachaeta in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Thymophylla pentachaeta var. pentachaeta in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Thymophylla pentachaeta var. pentachaeta
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-01-30Research By: LAL