Annuals, 5-35+ cm. Leaf blades oblanceolate to oblong-linear, 15-55+ × 3-12+ mm, lengths 4-6+ times widths, sometimes pinnately 2-4-lobed, ultimate margins ± dentate or entire. Peduncles 0-3(-11+) mm. Outer phyllaries 5, connate 0-¹/6 their lengths, lance-elliptic, 3-6 mm. Ray florets 5-8; corollas yellow, laminae oblong-ovate, 0.6-1.1+ × 0.5-10.8+ mm. Disc florets 5-8+. Fruits 2.2-3 mm. 2n = 40.

Flowering Aug-Sep. Openings in pine forests; 1200-1700 m; Ariz., Colo., Tex.; Mexico.

Specimens of Melampodium strigosum have been misidentified as M. hispidum Kunth, a synonym of M. sericeum (see T. F. Stuessy 1972). The station for M. strigosum in Colorado is ca. 1400 km distant from stations in Arizona and Texas.

Duration: Annual

Nativity: Native

Lifeform: Forb/Herb

General: Herbaceous annuals, low-growing, to 35 cm tall.

Leaves: Opposite, oblanceolate to oblong-linear, to 55 mm long and 12 mm wide, sometimes pinnately 2-4-lobed, the ultimate margins dentate or entire.

Flowers: Heads small, radiate, rays yellow, oblong-ovate, 5-8, disk flowers 5-8 or more, receptacles bracteate, outer phyllaries 5, these lance-elliptic, herbaceous, 3-6 mm long.

Fruits: Achenes obovate-oblong, 2-3 mm long. Pappus absent.

Ecology: Found in openings in pine forests, from 4,000-5,500 ft (1219-1676 m); flowering August-September.

Distribution: Arizona, Colorado, Texas; Mexico.

Ethnobotany: Unknown

Etymology: Melampodium comes from Melampus, a soothsayer of renown in Greek mythology, while strigosum means covered in straight, flat lying hairs.

Synonyms: None

Editor: LCrumbacher 2011