Packera anonyma Plant Identification (Flower, Leaf, Care, Uses)

Family – Asteraceae

Stems:

Leaves:

Inflorescence:

Involucre:

Ray flowers:

Disk flowers:

Flowering – April – June.

Habitat – Meadows, hammocks, fields, pastures, disturbed sites, roadsides, railroads.

Origin – Native to North America.

Other information – This attractive and common species can be found throughout Alabama. It is probably the most abundant species of Packera in the state. The plant can be identified by its many yellow flower heads, sparse arachnoid pubescence, deeply divided cauline leaves, and long-petiolate, serrate basal leaves. The blades of the basal leaves are typically lanceolate to elliptic.
A synonym for the species is Senecio smallii Britt.
The genus Packera is named in honor of Dr. John G. Packer (1929-). Dr. Packer is a distinguished North American botanist and is currently one of the many botanists working on the Flora of North America project.
The species epithet anonyma derives from the Greek “an” meaning “without” and “onym” meaning “a name.” Why the plant is named this way is not known to me.

Alabama Distribution:

Photographs taken off Lee Rd 27, Auburn, AL., 5-2-05.