Size: 1 to 12 inches (3-30 cm) or more; 18 inches (46 cm)
Growth Form:Forb/herb, subshrub; generally low growing, compact rounded plants; plants wide spreading to upright (erect); multiple branches; covered with rough downy short soft erect hairs (pubescence).
Leaves: Greenish to brownish to gray- or pale-green; leaves round to triangular-rounded; leaves on long supporting stalk (petiole); leaves with velvet-like surface from woolly fibers and shiny hairs; leaf edges (margins) with round teeth; leaves arranged alternately along stem.
Flower Color: Yellow, pale yellow; flower heads solitary on a short flowering stalk; flower heads with diskflorets only; bracts surrounding flower heads are velvety or woolly gray-green in color; fruit is a cypsela with large pappus.
Flowering Season: March to June or periodically throughout the year depending on rainfall.
Elevation: Below 3,500 feet (1,067 m)
Habitat Preferences: Plains, mesas, desert pavements, gravelly or sandy soil and sandy creosote-bush (Larrea) scrub communities.
Recorded Range: Velvet Turtleback is relatively rare in the United States where it is limited in distribution to the southwestern states of AZ, CA, NV, UT. The largest populations are in southeast CA, other large populations in western AZ and southern UT. It is also native to northern Baja California and far northwest Mexico, Sonora.
Genus Information: In North America there are 3 species and 3 accepted taxa overall for Psathyrotes. Worldwide, The Plant List includes 5 accepted species names and a further 3 scientific names of infraspecific rank for Psathyrotes.
In the Southwestern United States: Arizona, Nevada and Utah each have 3 species of genus Psathyrotes, California has 2 species, New Mexico and Texas each have 1 species. Data approximate and subject to revision.
Comments: The common names "Velvet Turtleback" and "Turtleback" have to do with the appearance of the plants that somewhat resembles that of a turtles back. You can see from the photos above that this is a very unique plant.
Importance to Wildlife, Birds and Livestock
Psathyrotes ramosissima tiny but showy yellow brightly colored flowers, and their seeds and plants may be visited by hummingbirds and/or small mammals including rodents and granivorous birds in search of food, nectar, shelter and protection through cover.
Beneficial Value to Butterflies, Bees and Insects
Psathyrotes ramosissima tiny but showy yellow brightly colored flowers, and their plants may be visited by butterflies, moths, native bees and other insects in search of nectar and/or other food.
Etymology:
The genus “Psathyrotes” is Greek from ‘psathyros’ meaning “fragile.”
The species epithet “ramosissima” from Latin ‘ramus’ meaning “branch, bough or limb” and ‘-osus’ or an “abundance of”; thus having many branches.
Psathyrotes ramosissima has been used for a variety of purposes by southwestern United States indigenous peoples.
Paiute Drug, Analgesic, Antidiarrheal, Cathartic, Dermatological Aids, Emetic; Decoction of plant used as a head wash for headaches and Decoction of plant taken for diarrhea and Decoction of plant taken as a physic and Compound poultice of crushed plants applied to draw boils and embedded slivers and Compound poultice of plant applied to sores, cuts, swellings and insect bites and Decoction of plant taken as an emetic.
Paiute Drug, Gastrointestinal Aid, Laxative, Liver Aid, Snake Bite Remedy, Toothache Remedy, Venereal Aid; Decoction of plant taken for stomachaches, bowel disorders and biliousness and Decoction of plant taken for constipation and Decoction of plant taken for liver trouble and Poultice of crushed, green plant or moistened dried plant used on snakebites and Dry bits chewed for toothache and Decoction of plant taken for venereal diseases.
Shoshoni Drug, Analgesic, Antidiarrheal, Cathartic, Cough Medicine, Dermatological Aids; Decoction of plant used as a head wash for headaches and Decoction of plant taken for diarrhea and Decoction of plant taken as a physic and Decoction of plant taken for tubercular cough and Compound poultice of crushed plants applied to draw boils and embedded slivers and Compound poultice of plant applied to sores, cuts, swellings and insect bites.
Shoshoni Drug, Emetic, Gastrointestinal Aid, Laxative, Liver Aid, Snake Bite Remedy, Tuberculosis Remedy, Venereal Aid; Decoction of plant taken as an emetic and Decoction of plant taken for stomachaches, bowel disorders and biliousness and
Decoction of plant taken for constipation and Decoction of plant taken for liver trouble and Poultice of crushed, green plant applied to snakebites and Decoction of plant taken for tubercular cough and Decoction of plant taken for venereal diseases.
See complete listing of ethno-botanical uses at Native American Ethnobotany, University of Michigan, Dearborn.
