Ogotoruk Creek ragwort

Senecio ogotorukensis Packer, Canad. J. Bot. 50: 511, figs. 2, 3, 7. 1972

Perennials, 8–15+ cm; fibrous-rooted or ± rhizomatous (bases horizontal to ascending). Stems 1 (often branched proximally, sometimes distally), sparsely to densely floccose-tomentose. Basal leaves petiolate; blades elliptic to oblanceolate or ovate, 20–80+ × 20–60+ mm, bases tapering, margins entire, crenate-serrate, or irregularly to pinnately lobed (abaxial faces white-tomentose, adaxials patchy tomentose to glabrate). Cauline leaves gradually to abruptly reduced (sessile; mids lanceolate to oblanceolate, irregularly serrate to pinnately lobed, distals bractlike). Heads 1(–3). Peduncles bracteate, ± tomentose. Calyculi conspicuous (bractlets purple-tinged). Phyllaries 13 or 21, green (sometimes with purple streaks, tips usually purple), 4–8 mm, proximally tomentose, rarely glabrous. Ray florets 10–13+; corolla laminae 8–12+ mm. Disc florets 60–70+; corolla tubes 1–1.5 mm, limbs 2–2.5 mm. Cypselae 1–1.5 mm, glabrous; pappi 2.5–3 mm. 2n = 92.

Flowering mid Jun–mid Jul (maritime), early Jul–early Aug (continental). Open rocky/gravelly areas, tundra, talus slopes, stream banks, roadsides; 0–1800 m; B.C., N.W.T., Yukon; Alaska.

Plants of Packera ogotorukensis have been treated as a disjunct of P. conterminus (as Senecio conterminus). Gross morphology, cytological data, and pollen morphology all provide good evidence for recognition of P. ogotorukensis as a distinct species.