Annual Goldeneye
Long-leaf False-Goldeneye
Heliomeris longifolia
Viguiera annua
Observed in the New River Mountains, Maricopa Co., Arizona in September 2009.
LEAVES: Linear, opposite, rather stiff leaves with course pubescence.
ANNUAL HERB: Summer to fall annual with small, bright yellow sunflowers
- one to several heads at ends of branches. Occasionally 1 m (occas.
1½ m) tall.
RANGE: Common at higher elevations in the Sonoran Desert near riparian
washes. Much more common at higher semi-arid habitats as a component of desert
grasslands and piñon juniper. Common to abundant across the southwestern
United States.
FLOWERS: Yellow flowers are similar to those of
Brittle Bush but the yellow color is darker, more orangish. Flowering
mostly Aug and September.
ACHENE: Seeds are borne in heads and there is a papery bract subtending
each floret. The top of the achene is without a pappus.
UNARMED. Without thorns.