[Spanish varilla, rod or wand, a common name used in Mexico]

John L. Strother

Subshrubs [shrubs], (10–)20–30+ cm (± succulent, sometimes rhizomatous). Stems erect. Leaves cauline; mostly alternate [opposite]; ± sessile; blades linear to filiform (± terete) [lance-linear], margins entire, faces glabrous (not gland-dotted). Heads discoid, borne singly [in corymbiform arrays]. Involucres obconic, [3–]5–8 mm diam. Phyllaries persistent, [30–]45–60 in [2–]4–5 series ± appressed, lance-linear to subulate, unequal, resinous-nerved). Receptacles conic, paleate; paleae falling, linear, scarious, flat or weakly conduplicate, resinous-veined. Ray florets 0. Disc florets 60–150+, bisexual, fertile; corollas greenish yellow, tubes shorter than or about equaling campanulate to cylindric throats, lobes 5, narrowly deltate. Cypselae columnar to clavate, ribs 8–15, faces glabrous; pappi 0 [bristles]. x = 18.

Species 2 (1 in the flora): Texas, Mexico.

Lower Taxon

• Varilla texana A. Gray