Common names:
Western goldentop, western goldenrod
Family:
Scientific name:
Euthamia occidentalis
Main flower color:
Range:
Nebraska, the Rocky Mountain states, and all states to the west
Height:
Up to 6 feet
Habitat:
Riverbanks, marshes, lakeshores, moist meadows, from sea level to 5,200 feet
Leaves:
Narrow, linear, up to 4 inches long and 0.4 inches wide
Season:
July to November
Euthamia occidentalis is most widespread in California, but is also found in small areas of most of the western states. Stems are tall and branched, with long, narrow leaves that have a central vein and one or two pairs of parallel side veins. Leaves and stems are grey-green in color, and hairless. Leaves are angled outwards or upwards. Leaf tips are pointed, and leaf faces are covered by tiny glands. The longest leaves are found around the middle of the stem.
Flowerheads form in many small, elongated clusters, generally spreading over the upper half of the plant. Phyllaries are in several rows, colored pale yellow or green, lanceolate or linear in shape, with pointed tips. The yellow florets are of two types, somewhat similar in appearance; between 17 and 22 rays around a center of 9 to 11 discs.
Flowerheads form in many small, elongated clusters, generally spreading over the upper half of the plant. Phyllaries are in several rows, colored pale yellow or green, lanceolate or linear in shape, with pointed tips. The yellow florets are of two types, somewhat similar in appearance; between 17 and 22 rays around a center of 9 to 11 discs.
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