Cutleaf Iron Plant
Machaeranthera pinnatifida (Hook.) Shinners
[also known as Xanthisma spinulosum (Pursh) D.R. Morgan and R.L. Hartman, and formerly Haplopappus spinulosus (Pursh) DC ]
Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)
▲ plant before flowering
▲▼mature, flowering plants
▲▼flowering stems
Cutleaf Ironplant:
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Is a simple perennial native to prairies of great plains in U.S. and
grows 6-18 inches tall; some varieties form mounds of many stems arising from
crown; others tend to have single or few stems from the base
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Leaves are alternate, oval, with many deeply cut, narrow, sharp,
bristle-tipped teeth on their margins; leaves and stems often covered with fine
white hairs; whole plant has spiny texture to it
·
Has with bright yellow flowers with pointed, yellow ray flower “petals”
and a center of yellow disk flowers; overall head inflorescence diameter of 1/3
to 1/2 inch
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Stems and woody stem base/root crown very tough (hence the name, “ironplant”)
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Prefers dry, sandy or rocky soils