July Photo

Plant characteristics: Taprooted, annual, 2-6 dm. tall, glandular; stems much-branched; basal rosette lvs. gen. withered at fl.; cauline lvs. small, linear, often 0 at fl; infl. glandular; peduncles 10-40 mm; phyllaries appressed; fls. 5-6; ligules 6-8, white to pink; fr. 2-2.5 mm; pappus bristles plumose on upper 55-60%.

Habitat: Dry slopes below 1700 m.; southern Coast, Peninsular Ranges, northern Baja CA.  (Hickman, Ed. 346).

Name: Greek, stephane, wreath, and meros, division; of uncertain application. (Munz, Flora So. Calif. 230).   Latin, exiguus, short, small.  (Jaeger 99).  Possible referring to the fact that this plant is smaller than others in the family?  I presume that the name deanei is in honor of someone. (my comments).

General: Rare in the study area with only one plant known and this in the newly seeded area around the new Interpretive Center off University Dr. This plant is not on the list of plants seeded into the area but the seed could have been a stray in the mix or grading could have uncovered an old seed.  (my comments).        A dozen or more species of w. North America. (Munz, Flora So. Calif. 230).

Text Ref:  Hickman, Ed. 346; Munz, Flora So. Calif. 231.

Photo Ref:  July 01 #18,20,21.

Identity: by R. De Ruff, confirmed by John Johnson.

First Found:  July 2001.

Computer Ref: Plant Data 531.

Have plant specimen.

Last edit. 5/15/05.

                                             July Photo