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Encelia farinosa A. Gray ex Torr.

Brittlebush

KingdomPlantaePlants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
SubkingdomTracheobiontaVascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
DivisionMagnoliophytaFlowering plants, also known as angiosperms
ClassMagnoliopsidaDicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves
SubclassAsteridaeA large class that encompasses asters
OrderAsteralesFlowering plants with a central disk flower and surrounding petals, like daisies
FamilyAsteraceaeThe aster family, which also includes daisies and sunflowers; from the Greek ἀστήρ, “star,” for the star-shaped flowers
GenusEnceliaNamed for German naturalist Christoph Entzelt
Speciesfarinosa

About plant names...

Brittlebush, so named because its branches snap easily, is widespread in Mexico and the southwestern United States. Some natives burned the resin of these plants as incense. It is found in dry, gravelly slopes and open sandy washes, at elevations up to 3281′ (1 km).

Plants: Forms rounded bushes 12-59″ (30-150 cm) high.

Leaves: Leaves are triangular (ovate to deltoid), blue-gray, and 1-3″ (3-8 cm) long. Fine matted plant hairs on the leaves give them a silvery appearance.

Flowers: Yellow flower stalks extend outward from the domelike bush. Each flower is 1-1¼″ (3-3.5 cm) around. Each is a composite flower, comprised of a central disc with many yellow or purple-brown disc florets, and yellow or orange-yellow ray florets.

Fruits: 1/16-3/16″ (3-6 mm).

 

Encelia farinosa (brittlebush)

2/28/2010 · Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Cali­fornia

Encelia farinosa (brittlebush)

2/28/2010 · Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Cali­fornia

Encelia farinosa (brittlebush)

2/28/2010 · Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Cali­fornia · ≈ 8 × 5″ (19 × 13 cm)

Here are some similar species:
 
Senna armata
You are here
Encelia farinosa
Common Name

spiny senna

brittlebush
Plant Shrubs up to 3′ (1 m) in height. They are densely branched, any many of the branches terminate in sharp spines. Forms rounded bushes 12-59″ (30-150 cm) high.
Flowers Yellow, or salmon pink, occurring singly or in clusters in leaf axils. Each flower has five petals, and is ⅝-⅞″ (1.6-2.4 cm) in diameter. Flower petals are not evenly distributed, so the flower has bilateral symmetry but not radial symmetry. Flowers appear from March to July. Yellow flower stalks extend outward from the domelike bush. Each flower is 1-1¼″ (3-3.5 cm) around. Each is a composite flower, comprised of a central disc with many yellow or purple-brown disc florets, and yellow or orange-yellow ray florets.
Leaves Leaves are on long and narrow branchlets, in 2-4 opposite pairs. Each leaflet is ⅛-3/16″ (4-6 mm) around, and ovate. Leaf pairs aren’t quite symmetric. Leaves are dropped entirely most of the time. Leaves are triangular (ovate to deltoid), blue-gray, and 1-3″ (3-8 cm) long. Fine matted plant hairs on the leaves give them a silvery appearance.
Fruit Pods are ⅞-1½″ (2.5-4 cm) long, straight, and con­tain a few seeds. 1/16-3/16″ (3-6 mm).
Range/ Zones

Habitats In sandy or gravelly washes, at elevations of 328-4593′ (100-1400 m). Dry, gravelly slopes and open sandy washes, at elevations up to 3281′ (1 km).
Type Wild Wild

 

Online References:

Wikipedia

Cals.arizona.edu

Southeastern Arizona Wildflowers and the Plants of the Sonoran Desert

Plants for a Future, a resource and information centre for edible and otherwise useful plants

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

CalPhotos

The USDA Forest Service's Fire Effects Information Database

The Jepson Manual

Encelia farinosa (brittlebush)

5/2/2018 · Bajada Trail, Joshua Tree National Park, Cali­fornia

Encelia farinosa (brittlebush)

2/28/2010 · Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Cali­fornia · ≈ 12 × 8″ (31 × 20 cm)

Encelia farinosa (brittlebush)

2/28/2010 · Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Cali­fornia

Encelia farinosa (brittlebush)

2/17/2007 · Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Cali­fornia

Encelia farinosa (brittlebush)

2/28/2010 · Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Cali­fornia · ≈ 11 × 7″ (27 × 18 cm)

Encelia farinosa (brittlebush)

5/4/2018 · Hidden Valley, Joshua Tree National Park, Cali­fornia

Encelia farinosa A. Gray ex Torr. var. farinosa

Encelia farinosa A. Gray ex Torr. var. phenicodonta (S.F. Blake) I.M. Johnst.

Encelia farinosa A. Gray ex Torr. var. radians Brandegee ex S.F. Blake

 

Encelia farinosa description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 7 Oct 2021.

© FloraFinder.org. All rights reserved.


 

Encelia farinosa (brittlebush)

2/28/2010 · Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Cali­fornia · ≈ 11 × 7″ (27 × 18 cm)

Encelia farinosa (brittlebush)

2/28/2010 · Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Cali­fornia · ≈ 12 × 8″ (31 × 20 cm)

Encelia farinosa (brittlebush)

2/28/2010 · By Robert Edmonston

Encelia farinosa (brittlebush)

2/28/2010 · Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Cali­fornia · ≈ 17 × 12″ (44 × 29 cm)

Encelia farinosa (brittlebush)

2/28/2010 · Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Cali­fornia · ≈ 9 × 6″ (22 × 14 cm)

Encelia farinosa (brittlebush)

2/28/2010 · Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Cali­fornia · ≈ 4½ × 3″ (11 × 7.9 cm)

Range:

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