279. Phoebanthus S. F. Blake, Proc. Amer. Acad. Arts. 51: 520. 1916.
False sunflower [Greek phoebus, the sun, and anthos, flower]
Edward E. Schilling
Perennials, 40–100+ cm (aerial stems from relatively slender, horizontal tubers). Stems erect, branched mostly distally (among heads, leafy). Leaves cauline; all opposite, or proximal opposite and distal alternate, or all alternate; sessile; blades (usually 1-nerved) linear-filiform or linear to linear-lanceolate, bases ± cuneate or rounded, margins entire (revolute), faces scabrous (adaxial) and sparsely hispid-scabrous, gland-dotted as well. Heads radiate, borne singly or (2–6) in open, ± corymbiform arrays. Involucres hemispheric to campanulate, 10–20 mm diam. Phyllaries persistent, 20–40+ in 2–3+ series (green, subequal, herbaceous, strigillose to hispid). Receptacles convex, paleate (paleae tan, conduplicate, trilobed or tricuspidate). Ray florets 10–20, neuter; corollas yellow (apices 2–4-lobed). Disc florets 40–100+, bisexual, fertile; corollas yellow, tubes shorter than narrowly campanulate throats, lobes 5, triangular. Cypselae (purplish black) obpyramidal, slightly compressed; pappi 0, or persistent or fragile, of 1–2 lacerate scales (over cypsela shoulders) plus 0–6 lacerate or bristlelike shorter scales. x = 17.
Species 2 (2 in the flora): se United States.
