DESERT SUNFLOWER

Range Sonoran and Mojave desert in the southeastern California to southwest Utah and south to Arizona and northwestern Mexico. Habitat Sandy, barren desert flats and roadsides below 3000 feet. Flowers Two-inch golden-yellow flower heads appear at the ends of branches. Flowers are composed of 10 to 20 elongated rays around the golden disc. Blooms February through May and sometimes humid summers, again in October and November. Description Desert Sunflower is a slender, hairy plant that grows 1 to 3 meters high. The austere, gray-green, oval, leaves grow to 3 inches long and has teeth margins. "Geraea" is derived from the Greek word for "old man" - "geraios" - whereas the white hair on the seed-like, flat fruit.