Flower Color: Yellow or golden-yellow; small daisy-type flowers; flora heads with both ray and diskflorets; long leafless stalk supporting flower heads; fruit is a cypsela.
Flowering Season: March or April to May or June or later, year-round with sufficient rainfall.
Elevation: 2,500 to 4,500 feet (762-1,372 m)
Habitat Preferences: Various habitats, lower and upper desert areas, dry slopes, rocky hillsides and mesas.
Recorded Range: Throughout the southwestern United States in AZ, CA, NM, NV, TX, UT and in northern Mexico. In most of Arizona, may be absent in Yuma County and in the northeast part of the state.
North America species range map for Fiveneedle Pricklyleaf, Thymophylla pentachaeta:
Click image for full size map
Genus Information: In North America there are 8 species and 13 accepted taxa overall for Thymophylla. Worldwide, The Plant List includes 13 accepted species names and a further 30 scientific names of infraspecific rank for Thymophylla.
The genus Thymophylla was published in 1816 by Mariano Lagasca y Segura, (1776-1839).
The genus Thymophylla was previously included in the larger genus Dyssodia, which was published in 1801 by Antonio José (Joseph) Cavanilles, (1745-1804).
In the Southwestern United States: Arizona has 3 species of Thymophylla, California has 1 species, Nevada has 2 species, New Mexico has 4 species, Texas has 7 species, Utah has 2 species. Data approximate, subject to revision.
There are 4 varieties in Thymophylla pentachaeta;
Thymophylla pentachaeta, var. hartwegii, Hartweg's Pricklyleaf, (AZ, NM, TX);
Thymophylla pentachaeta, var. belenidium, Fiveneedle Pricklyleaf, (AZ, CA, NM, NV, TX, UT);
Thymophylla pentachaeta, var. pentachaeta, Fiveneedle Pricklyleaf, (NM, SC and TX);
Thymophylla pentachaeta, var. puberula, Fiveneedle Pricklyleaf (TX).
Comments: Fiveneedle Pricklyleaf or Golden Dyssodia is an eastern Mojave Desert and Lower Colorado River Basin of the Sonoran Desert species that once belonged to the genus Dyssodia.
As one of the common names "Fiveneedle Fetid Marigold" might suggest, Dogweeds often have strong odors, generally thought to be more offensive than pleasant. The common name “Pricklyleaf” is often used for members of the Thymophylla genus.
In Southwest Desert Flora see a Pricklyleaf Dogweed, Thymophylla acerosa, which is similar to Fiveneedle Pricklyleaf but is smaller and has more linear leaves.
Importance to Wildlife, Birds and Livestock
Fiveneedle Pricklyleaf Thymophylla pentachaeta has small but showy daisy-like flowers, the flowers, their seeds and plants may be visited by hummingbirds and/or small mammals including rodents and granivorous birds in search of food, nectar and protection through cover.
Beneficial Value to Butterflies, Honey Bees and Insects
Fiveneedle Pricklyleaf Thymophylla pentachaeta has small but showy daisy-like flowers, the flowers and their plants may be visited or used by butterflies, moths, flies, honeybees, native bees and other insects in search of nectar, food or shelter and protection.
Special Value to Native Bees
According to The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, Thymophylla pentachaeta is recognized by pollination ecologists as attracting large numbers of Native bees. Click here for more information on their Pollinator Conservation Program.
Etymology:
The genus “Thymophylla” (Thymophyl'la:) is from the Greek thymos, "thyme," and phyllon, "leaf," meaning "thyme-leaved." The genus Thymophylla was published in 1816 by Mariano Lagasca y Segura, (1776-1839).
The genus Thymophylla was previously included in the larger genus Dyssodia, which was published in 1801 by Antonio José (Joseph) Cavanilles, (1745-1804).
The genus “Dyssodia” (Dysso'dia:) is from the Greek dysodia for "a disagreeable odor."
The species epithet “pentachaeta” (Pentachae'ta:) from the Greek penta, "five," and chaeta, "bristle or long hair," referring to the five pappus scales.
