Naked-stemmed daisy

Encelia nudicaulis A. Gray, Proc. Amer Acad. Arts 8: 656. 1873; Enceliopsis nudicaulis var. bairdii S. L. Welsh; E. nudicaulis var. corrugata Cronquist

Perennials, 10–40 cm; herbage dull gray, hairs ± spreading. Leaves: petioles not or barely winged; blades suborbiculate to ovate, 2–6 × 2–6 cm. Peduncles 15–45 cm. Involucres 10–20 mm. Phyllaries in 3–5 series, narrowly lanceolate (bases ovate), apices acute. Ray florets ± 21; corollas yellow, laminae 20–40 mm. Cypselae ± 9 × 3.5 mm, silky-hairy; pappi of 2 awns 1–1.5 mm (plus minute scales or teeth). 2n = 32.

Flowering Apr–Aug. Stony hillsides, canyons; 900–2000 m; Ariz., Calif., Idaho, Nev., Utah.

Plants with strongly corrugate leaf margins from Ash Meadows, Nevada, are var. corrugata. Cronquist believed that corrugate-leaved plants from other areas in southern Nevada were a result of drying in press; D. L. Sanders (unpubl.) showed a gradual drop-off in corrugation of living leaves in the region to the east of Ash Meadows.