Heliomeris longifolia, Longleaf False Goldeneye, Southwest Desert Flora

Heliomeris longifolia, Longleaf False Goldeneye

Longleaf False Goldeneye, Heliomeris longifolia

Scientific Name: Heliomeris longifolia
Common Name: Longleaf False Goldeneye

Also Called: Longleaf Falsegoldeneyes

Family: Asteraceae, Sunflower Family

Synonyms: (Gymnolomia longifolia, Viguiera annua, Viguiera longifolia)

Status: Native

Duration: Annual from a taproot.

Size: 6 to 28 inches (15-71 cm)

Growth Form: Forb/herb; plants herbaceous; stems slender, branching from base and above (see photo above) stems rough with small stiff course hairs (strigose).

Leaves: Dark green; blades slender, linear with short stems (petioles) or without stems (sessile); leaves rough (strigose); leaves arranged opposite below and alternate above.

Flower Color: Yellow; daisy-like flowers; numerous (25 to 50) heads on short 1 to 3 inches (2.54-7.62 cm) flowering stems (peduncles); heads with both ray (12 to 14) and disk (50 or more) florets; bracts surrounding flower heads (phyllaries) linear to oblong; fruit is a cypsela without a pappus.

Flowering Season: May or June to October or November with sufficient monsoon rainfall.

Elevation: 2,500 to 8,000 feet (762 2,438 m)

Habitat Preferences: Dry slopes, plains, arroyos and along washes.

Recorded Range: Native to the southwestern states; much of AZ, western NM, south, central NV, west TX and far southern UT and northern and central Mexico. The largest populations are in Arizona and western New Mexico.

North America & US County Distribution Map for Heliomeris longifolia.

North America species range map for Longleaf False Goldeneye, Heliomeris longifolia:
North American range map courtesy of Virginia Tech, Dept. of Forest Resources & Environmental Conservation

Click image for full size map

U.S. Weed Information: Unknown
Invasive/Noxious Weed Information: Unknown
Wetland Indicator: Unknown
Threatened/Endangered Information: Unknown

Genus Information: In North America there are 4 species and 10 accepted taxa overall for Heliomeris. Worldwide, The Plant List includes 8 accepted species names and a further 18 scientific names of infraspecific rank for the genus.

The genus Heliomeris was published in 1848 by Thomas Nuttall, (1786-1859).

In the Southwestern United States: Arizona and New Mexico each have 3 species of genus, California, Nevada and Texas each have 2 species, and Utah has 4 species. Data approximate and subject to revision.

There are 2 varieties in Heliomeris longifolia:
Heliomeris longifolia var. annua, Longleaf False Goldeneye (AZ, CO, NM, NV, TX);
Heliomeris longifolia var. longifolia, Longleaf False Goldeneye (AZ, NM, TX).

Comments: Longleaf False Goldeneye is variable with two recognized varieties in overlapping geographic ranges. It is similar in appearance to Showy Goldeneye, Heliomeris multiflora, which is a larger perennial plant more common in higher elevations and with slightly broader leaves and longer flowering stalks. In the United States, after taxonomic changes the genus Heliomeris is represented by only 4 species collectively referred to as "Goldeneyes".

Importance to Wildlife, Birds and Livestock Longleaf False Goldeneye, Heliomeris longifolia, flowers, seeds and foliage are likely visited by hummingbirds and/or small mammals in search of food and nectar.

Beneficial Value to Butterflies, Bees and Insects Longleaf False Goldeneye, Heliomeris longifolia, brightly colored flowers are often visited by butterflies, moths and other insects in search of food.

Etymology: The genus “Heliomeris” (Helio'meris:) is from the Greek helios, “sun” and meris, “a part or portion,” an apparent reference to the flowering heads.

The genus Heliomeris was published in 1848 by Thomas Nuttall, (1786-1859).

The species epithet “longifolia” (longifo'lia:) with long leaves.

Ethnobotany Unknown