Family – Asteraceae
Stems:
Leaves:
Basal leaves in-situ.
Inflorescence:
N/A
Involucre:
N/A
Ray flowers:
Absent.
Disk flowers:
Flowering – August – November.
Habitat – Sandhills, savannahs, pine barrens.
Origin – Native to North America.
Other information – This attractive species is rare in Alabama and has only been reported from three extreme southern counties. The plant can be identified by its habitat, pubescent, purple stems, reduced cauline leaves, and many pinkish flowers. The lack of good quality pine savannah in Alabama and elsewhere makes this species uncommon.
The genus name Carphephorus derives from the Greek “carph(us)” meaning “straw, dry twigs, chaff” and “phor(o)” meaning “bear, carry, movement” referring to the chaff of the receptacle.
Alabama Distribution:
Photographs taken in the Croatan National Forest, NC., 9-29-02.