Packera layneae
| Packera layneae Layne's ragwort | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Asteraceae |
| Subfamily: | Asteroideae |
| Tribe: | Senecioneae |
| Genus: | Packera |
| Species: | P. layneae |
| Binomial name | |
| Packera layneae (Greene) W.A.Weber & A.Löve | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Senecio layneae | |
Packera layneae, known by the common name Layne's ragwort, is a rare species of flowering plant in the aster family. It is endemic to California, where it is known only from the western slopes of the northern Sierra Nevada foothills, such as the Pine Hill Ecological Reserve.
Description
Packera layneae is a perennial herb producing an erect stem or a small cluster of stems up to 70 centimeters tall. The thick leaves have wide lance-shaped blades a few centimeters long which are borne on long petioles; smaller leaves occur farther up the stems. The inflorescence bears several flower heads containing many yellow disc florets and several narrow yellow ray florets each up to 1.6 centimeters long.
Habitat
Packera layneae grows in chaparral and mountain woodlands, often on serpentine soils and weathered gabbro. The plant faces several threats and was federally listed as a threatened species in 1996.[1]
The plant grows in chaparral habitat that is dependent on wildfire; fire suppression efforts alter growth and maintenance of plants in this ecosystem.[1] Other threats include development, mining, off-road vehicle use, grazing, and the increasing presence of invasive plants.[1][2]
References
External links
- Jepson Manual Treatment - Packera layneae
- USDA Plants Profile: Packera layneae
- Flora of North America: Packera layneae
- Packera layneae Photo gallery