Hymenoxis richardsonii, July 3, 2023
Common & scientific name
Richardson’s bitterweed, Hymenoxis richardsonii
Family
Sunflower, Asteraceae
Location
Interlaken/Twin Lakes, 9,200’
Fun, weird, helpful, or little known fact
This plant, new to me and only found on the lower east side of the Pass near Twin Lakes, was previously misidentified as a Senecio, based on a superficial resemblance (yellow flowers, pretty much). Upon closer examination of its “petals” (ray florets), I noticed they have three teeth, or lobes, just like Old Man of the Mountain. Once the genus was identified, getting to the species was easy. With as many genera of Aster as we have, that is the tricky part, and a reminder that ALL parts of the plant must be closely observed to make a positive ID.