Grindelia ciliata
| Grindelia ciliata | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Asteraceae |
| Tribe: | Astereae |
| Genus: | Grindelia |
| Species: | G. ciliata |
| Binomial name | |
| Grindelia ciliata (Nutt.) Spreng. | |
Grindelia ciliata[1][2] (syn. Grindelia papposa,[3] Haplopappus ciliatus,[3] and Prionopsis ciliata[4]) is a species of flowering plant in the daisy family known by the common names Spanish gold, goldenweed, and waxed goldenweed.
It is native to sections of the central United States, where it grows in prairies and grasslands, and in disturbed areas such as roadsides and along railroad tracks. It is an annual or biennial herb growing erect to a maximum height well exceeding one meter, its upper stem branching. It is hairless. The leaves are alternately arranged, their spiny-toothed blades longer than wide. The top of the stem is occupied by an inflorescence of several flower heads, their hemispheric bases up to 2.5 centimeters wide and lined with many small, green phyllaries with curving tips. Each flower head may have up to 30 narrow, pointed yellow ray florets between 1 and 2 centimeters long around a center of yellow disc florets. The fruit is a brown achene about a centimeter long including its long pappus of bristles.