Dracopsis amplexicaulis (Vahl) Cass. - Clasping Coneflower
Family - Asteraceae
Stems:
Leaves:
Inflorescence:
N/A
Involucre:
Ray flowers:
Disk flowers:
Flowering - May - July.
Habitat - Fields, open-disturbed sites, roadsides.
Origin - Native to North America.
Other information - This species can be found scattered throughout much of central Alabama. The plant is easy to identify because of its clasping leaves and columnar disk inflorescence.
The genus name Dracopsis derives from the Latin "drac(o)" meaning "a dagon, serpent" and the Greek "opsi" meaning "appearance, sight, resembling" referring to the pubescent and fairly long stigmas of the disk flowers.
The species epithet amplexicaulis derives from the Latin "ample(x)" meaning "to embrace" and the Greek "caul(is)" meaning "a stem, stalk" referring to the clasping leaves of the stem.
Alabama Distribution:
Photographs taken off Hwy 21 near Selma, AL., 6-4-05.