Lemmon’s rubberweed or bitterweed

Picradenia lemmonii Greene, Pittonia 3: 272. 1898 (as lemmoni)

Perennials, 30–50 cm (polycarpic; often with moderately branched, woody caudices). Stems 3–10(–15), green throughout or purple-red-tinted proximally, branched distally, glabrous or ± sparsely hairy. Leaves: blades simple or lobed (lobes 3–13), glabrous or sparsely hairy, gland-dotted; mid leaves lobed (lobes 3–7, terminal lobes 1.5–2.3 mm wide). Heads 10–85+ per plant, in paniculiform to corymbiform arrays. Peduncles (1–)2–4.5 cm, glabrous or ± hairy. Involucres subhemispheric to campanulate, 8–11 × 12–15 mm. Phyllaries in 2 series, unequal; outer 10–12, basally connate ¹/4–¹/2 their lengths (moderately to strongly keeled), ovate to lanceolate, 4.5–7 mm, apices acuminate to acute; inner 13–18(–28), obovate, 4–6 mm, apices usually mucronate. Ray florets 9–12; corollas yellow, 10–16 × 4–6.5 mm. Disc florets 50–125+; corollas 3.5–4.2 mm. Cypselae obpyramidal to narrowly obpyramidal, 2.5–3.5 mm; pappi of 5(–6) obovate, aristate scales (1.5–)2.1–2.8 mm. 2n = 30.

Flowering (Jun–)Jul–Aug(–Sep). Roadsides, open areas, meadows, on slopes, along drainages and streams; (800–)1400–2200(–3200) m; Calif., Nev., Utah.