Saffron ragwort

Senecio crocatus Rydberg, Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 24: 299. 1897, based on S. aureus Linnaeus var. croceus A. Gray, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia 15: 68. 1864, not S. croceus de Candolle 1838; S. pyrrhochrous Greene; S. tracyi Rydberg

Perennials, 20–60+ cm; perennating bases horizontal to ascending (relatively long and stout). Stems usually 1, rarely 2–3, clustered, glabrous. Basal leaves (and proximal cauline) petiolate (petioles narrow); blades narrowly lanceolate or ovate to oblong-ovate, 20–60+ × 10–40+ mm, bases abruptly contracted to tapering, margins subentire to crenate-dentate. Cauline leaves gradually reduced (sessile, weakly clasping; lanceolate to oblong or sublyrate, often pinnately lobed). Heads 7–15+ in open, corymbiform arrays. Peduncles ebracteate or bracteate (bractlets inconspicuous), glabrous. Calyculi 0 or inconspicuous. Phyllaries 13 or 21, light green (or tips cyanic), 4–8 mm, glabrous. Ray florets 8 or 13; corolla laminae (deep yellow to orange-red) 6–8+ mm. Disc florets 60–80+; corolla tubes 4.5–5.5 mm, limbs 2.5–3.5 mm. Cypselae 1–1.5 mm, glabrous; pappi 3–5 mm. 2n = 46.

Flowering early Jul–mid Aug. Wet meadows, along trails, rocky outcrops; 1800–3500 m; Colo., Idaho, Nev., N.Mex., Utah, Wyo.

Packera crocata is characterized by deep yellow to reddish orange corollas. Some collectors have noted that there may be evidence for hybridization between P. crocata and P. dimorphophylla; the relationship between the two species needs further study.