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(updated January 21, 2021)

Texas Blueweed

Helianthus ciliaris D.C.

Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)

 

▲young sprouts from creeping roots, with uprooted plant showing creeping roots in center

▲ closer view of creeping roots

▲▼  young plants emerging from creeping roots

 

▲ young plant before flowering 

▲ ▼ mature flowering plants

 

▲ ▼ mature flowering plants 

 

 

▲ inflorescence closer view, showing bud on lower left 

 

▲ shoots after flowering, showing dried, dark brown persistent inflorescences

 

Helianthus ciliaris DC., Texas Blueweed:  (Bayer Code:  HELCI; US Code HECI)

·         A U.S. native, creeping perennial with deep creeping roots that grows 6-24 inches tall; stems unbranched except in upper portions when flowering commences; stems and leaves blue-green to gray-green and are covered with short, stiff hairs

·         Leaves are blue-green to gray-green, opposite, linear to lanceolate; leaf margins are smooth, or with a few teeth or outspread hairs; leaf margins often wavy

·         Head inflorescences are 1-2 inches in diameter, produced at stem  with 10-18 yellow ray florets (“petals”) that are puckered at their bases, and 35 or more reddish-brown disk flowers that form a hemispherical shape in the center; flowers appear similar to a miniature marigold or sunflower

·         Bracts below the inflorescence are in several rows, lanceolate or ovate with elongated, pointed tips that stand out from the base of the head

·         Flowering from mid-summer through autumn

·         Is quite invasive in reduced tillage row crops as well as being unpalatable to livestock; can reproduce and spread rapidly, even in very dry conditions

       o   One of the few native sunflowers that is considered to be a serious weed

·         Prefers dry, sandy infertile soils

 

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