Prickle-leaf

Leaves: blades 1–4 cm, bases ± clasping, margins thickened, usually with 3–6 spines 1–3 mm near bases, apices mucronate or acute. Phyllaries usually lanate on margins. Corollas pinkish purple in bud, white at flowering, ca. 10 mm. Cypselae brown, 5 mm; pappi 1–2 mm. 2. = 16.

Flowering Apr–Jun. Granite, basalt, and caliche soils, low desert scrub; 1700–2000 m; Calif., Nev.

Hecastocleis shockleyi is known from southwestern Nevada and adjacent California.