Leaves: Green; leaves narrow, linear; opposite along stem, hairy and speckled with glandular dots.
Flower Color: Yellow; solitary heads on leafless, hairy flowering stalks; flower heads with ray and diskflorets; note in photo 5 broad lance shaped green bracts (phyllaries) surround heads; fruit is a cypsela.
Flowering Season: August to September
Elevation: 4,000 to 5,500 feet (1,219-1,676 m)
Habitat Preferences: Upper elevations in open grasslands, pine and pinyon-juniper forests.
Recorded Range: Shaggy Blackfoot is relatively rare in the United States where it is found only in AZ, NM and TX. Other than southern Arizona there are no large populations in NM and TX. It is also native to northern and central Mexico.
Genus Information: In North America there are 7 species and 7 accepted taxa overall for Melampodium. Worldwide, The Plant List includes 45 accepted species names and a further 18 scientific names of infraspecific rank for Melampodium.
The genus Melampodium are hardy plants from subtropical and tropical regions with most of the species found in Mexico.
In the Southwestern United States: Arizona and Texas each have 3 species of Melampodium, California has 1 species, Nevada and Utah have 0 species and New Mexico has 2 species. Data approximate and subject to revision.
Comments: Melampodium collectively are known as “blackfoots” which, some say is thought to be a reference to the black color at the base of the stem and roots (see full Etymology below).
Shaggy Blackfoot is relatively rare in the United States where it is found only in AZ, NM and TX. Other than southern Arizona there are no large populations in New Mexico and Texas.
Melampodium strigosum, Shaggy Blackfoot flowers, seeds and plants may be visited by hummingbirds and/or small mammals including rodents and granivorous birds in search of nectar, shelter and protection through cover.
Beneficial Value to Butterflies, Bees and Insects
Melampodium strigosum, Shaggy Blackfoot small but attractive flowers and plants may be visited by butterflies, moths and other insects in search of food and nectar.
Etymology:
The genus “Melampodium” may be derived from the Greek words “melas”, meaning black, and “podion”, meaning foot. Other authorities, however, maintain that this is in error, that the name comes from Melampus, a soothsayer of renown in Greek mythology.
The species epithet “strigosum” (strigo'sum:) strigose, covered with straight, flat-lying hairs.
