*** Welcome to piglix ***

Machaeranthera

tansyasters
Machaeranthera-asteroides-20071030.jpg
Machaeranthera asteroides
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Asterids
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Machaeranthera
Nees
Type species
Aster tanacetifolius
Kunth.
Synonyms
  • Hesperastrum A.Gray
  • Aster sect. Machaeranthera (Nees) Benth. & Hook. f.
  • Aster subgen. Machaeranthera (Nees) A. Gray

Machaeranthera is a genus of North American flowering plants in the daisy family which are known by the common name tansyaster.

Tansyasters are variable in appearance. Some are small singular wildflowers while others are sprawling shrubs. Several species easily hybridize with each other as well, making identification difficult. In general, members of the genus may be identified by the sharp-pointed, dagger-shaped anthers in the disc florets at the center of the flower. The flower heads are usually daisylike and are usually a shade of purple or blue, but may be pink, yellow, or white. Tansyasters are native to western North America.

The genus Machaeranthera is distinguished from the genus Dieteria by having once or twice pinnate leaves, whereas Dieteria has entire to toothed leaves.

"Machaeranthera" means "swordlike anthers".


...
Wikipedia

...