Hymenoxis hoopesii, August 24, 2020
Common & scientific name
Sneezeweed, Hymenoxis hoopesii
Family
Sunflower, Asteraceae
Location
Summit, 12,100’
Fun, weird, helpful, or little known fact
This funky flower is always a surprise: in its characteristically droopy, bedraggled petals (ray florets), its orange-ish color, its tall stature, and its ability to grow at myriad elevations and times of year, like this plant which didn’t emerge until late August at over 12,000.’
Apparently its common name comes from the historic use of the crushed, dried leaves and flower heads to make a snuff that caused sneezing. In any event, how can you not love a flower named “sneezeweed!”