Columbia Gumplant, Columbia Gumweed, Columbia River Gumweed: Grindelia nana var. discoidea (Synonyms: Grindelia columbiana, Grindelia columbiana ssp. columbiana)

[Members of the Sunflower Family with Button-like Flower Heads]

Columbia Gumplant, Columbia Gumweed, Columbia River Gumweed

Grindelia nana var. discoidea

Synonyms: Grindelia columbiana, Grindelia columbiana ssp. columbiana

Discoid inflorescence of Columbia Gumplant, Columbia Gumweed, Columbia River Gumweed: Grindelia nana var. discoidea (Synonyms: Grindelia columbiana, Grindelia columbiana ssp. columbiana

The photo above shows Columbia rRver gumweed as seen from the Columbia Hills to the northeast of The Dalles, OR.................July 7, 2006.

The photo at right shows a close-up of the involucral bracts of Columbia River gumweed as seen in the Columbia Hills...................July 7, 2006. Note how the tips of the involucral bracts narrow abruptly and then are recurved outwards and downwards.

Characteristics:

Columbia river gumweed is a biennial or short-lived perennial that is fairly easy to identify. Its herbage is wholly smooth or glabrous, and the plant ranges in height from 15-80 cm. The leaves are oblanceolate in shape, with entire to serrate margins. If serrate, the margins may be blunt to sharp. The leaves are as long as 10 cm long and 1.5 cm wide.

The flower heads are discoid and fairly wide (1-2 cm in diameter). The involucre is fairly resinous with the tips of the outer bracts coiled or reflexed outward.

Habitat:

Columbia river gumweed is found in gravelly and sandy habitats alongside streams and rivers.

Range:

Columbia river gumweed is found from northern Idaho, and down the Columbia River through much of central Washington to Portland, OR. It is also found near Blackfoot, Idaho.

In the Columbia River Gorge, it is found between the elevations of 100'-2200' east of Lyle, WA.

Close-up view down onto the discoid flower head of Columbia gumweed as seen on disturbed soils along the lower portion of the Dalles Mt. Road about one-half mile east of its junction with Washington Highway 14......................July 10, 2009.

Columbia gumweed as seen in vernally moist pools near Dancing Rock in the Columbia Hills of the eastern Columbia River Gorge...............August 8, 2011.

The photo above shows a long, oblanceolate-shaped basal leaf of Columbia River gumweed.......................July 7, 2006.

The photo above shows a close-up of a stem leaf of Columbia River gumweed. Photographed in the Columbia Hills....................July 7, 2006.

Paul Slichter