Chrysopsis gossypina Plant Identification (Flower, Leaf, Care, Uses)

Family – Asteraceae

Stems:

Leaves:

Inflorescence:

N/A

Involucre:

Ray flowers:

Disk flowers:

Flowering – September – October.

Habitat – Sandy pine and Turkey Oak woods, sandhills, scrub.

Origin – Native to North America.

Other information – This attractive species can be found mainly in the most southern counties of Alabama where its sandy habitat exists. The plant is easy to identify because of its habitat, cobwebby pubescence, and big yellow flowers.
Two varieties (subspecies) can be found in the state. Variety gossypina is shown above and is the more common of the two. It has cobwebby pubescence.
Variety hyssopifolia is found in just a couple of southern counties. This variety has pilose to glabrate stems and leaf margins which are serrate-pilose.
The genus name Chrysopsis derives from the Greek “chrys(o)” meaning “gold” and “opsi” meaning “appearance, sight, aspect” referring to the inflorescences.
The species epithet gossypina derives from the Latin “gossypi(um)” meaning “cotton” referring to the pubescence of the plant.

Alabama Distribution:

Photographs taken at Fort Benning, GA., 10-9-05.