Packera tomentosa (Michx.) C. Jeffrey - Hairy Ragwort
Family - Asteraceae
Stems:
Leaves:
Inflorescence:
Involucre:
Ray Flowers:
Disk Flowers:
Flowering - March - June.
Habitat - Sandy or rocky moist soil, granite outcrops.
Origin - Native to North America.
Other information - This attractive but fairly uncommon species can be found in scattered locations in Alabama. The plant is easy to identify becasue nearly all parts of the plant are covered with dense, gray arachnoid hairs. The stems typically have few cauline leaves.
Alabama Distribution:
Photographs taken off Hwy 29/15 near Fort Davis, AL., 3-18-06.
Adaxial surface of basal leaf.
Abaxial surface of basal leaf.
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 tomentosa derives from the Latin "toment(os)(um)" meaning "dense hair, stuffing" obviously referring to the hair on the plant.
