[Dustymaidens: The Genus Chaenactis East of the Cascade Mountains of Oregon and Washington]

Branching Chaenactis ?

Chaenactis ramosa

Now reclassified as Chaenactis douglasii var. douglasii

Branching chaenactis: Chaenactis ramosa

What may be branching chaenactis as seen in scree sevral miles west of Mission Peak in the Wenatchee National Forest...........April 24, 2009. Note the many branched stems of this species. The similar hoary false yarrow (Chaenactis douglasii) generaly has a single, stout and upright stem.
Characteristics:

Branching chaenactis is a biennial or short-lived perennial with several to many lax to erect stems arising from a much-branched, sprawling base. The plant has several to many whitish disk flowers which look like pincushions. Plants to 30 cm tall.

The leaves in flowering plants are usually found mainly on the stems. Individual leaves are 1 to 3 times compound pinnate, and are 1 to 6 cm in length. The leaf segments may have somewhat curled edges (see photo below).

Habitat:

Dry, rocky hillsides from 1500 to 6000 feet in altitude.

Range:

The range of branching chaenactis is the Wenatchee Mountains in Chelan and Kittitas counties of Washington.

Close-up of the flower head of branching chaenactis: Chaenactis ramosa - Close-up of the seed head and achenes of branching chaenactis: Chaenactis ramosa

Basal tuft of leaves of branching chaenactis: Chaenactis ramosa - Close-up of a basal leaf of branching chaenactis: Chaenactis ramosa

These 4 photos show close-ups (from left to right) of a flower head, seed head (with bristly achenes), and basal leaves of what might be branching chaenactis. Note that the leaves have down-rolled margins which give them a thicker, 3-dimensional appearance. Photographed west of Mission Peak in the Wenatchee N.F...........July 24, 2009.

Branching chaenactis: Chaenactis ramosa

Leaf of what may be Chaenactis ramosa from the old Vantage to Ellensburg Highway...........late April, 1998.
Paul Slichter