Common names: WOOLLY-MARIGOLD, DESERT-MARIGOLD, PAPER-DAISY Arizona and Texas deserts: (Baileya multiradiata). Yellow. March-October. California desert: (Baileya pleniradiata). Yellow. March-November. Sunflower family. Size: 4 inches up to 2 feet high.
This low-growing, woolly, annual herb with showy, yellow flowers on long, solitary stems is one of the commonest bloomers gracing the desert roadsides and making patches of bright color along otherwise drab and dry, sandy desert washes. It is particularly noticeable because of its luxurious crop of flowers and long period of bloom.
At first glance, Desert-marigold may be confused with Crownbeard, to which it is quite similar in color, size, and habit of growing in groups. However, the regular, circular shape of Marigold blooms and the considerable difference in leaf shape make the two readily distinguishable.
In California, Desert-marigold is cultivated for the flower trade.
Fatal poisoning of sheep on over-grazed ranges has been laid at the door of this plant, although horses crop the flower heads, apparently without harmful effect. Blossom petals become bleached and papery as the blossoms age, thus giving the plant in some localities the name Paperdaisy.
Desert-marigold, of which there are but few species, is common throughout desert areas of the Southwest from Utah and Nevada to Lower California, Sonora and Chihuahua.
YELLOW
Aplopappus heterophyllus
Aplopappus gracilis
