Corethrogyne filaginifolia

Order: Asterales

Ethnobotanical Elements: Leaves and stems are used to treat colds.

Leaf Shape: Linear, Oblanceolate.

Companion Plants: Buckwheat (Eriogonum species), Bushmallow (Malacothamnus species), Sticky Monkeyflower (Mimulus aurantiacus).

A robust perennial with a simple multi-branched stem which approaches a meter in length and height. Each wooly leaf is several centimeters long, lobed low on the stem and even smaller farther up the stem. Each bloom cluster consists of a single flower head. Inside each tiny pod reside numerous lavender, pink, purple, or white ray florets; center has up to 120 tubular yellow disc florets.

The fruit of the Corethrogyne is an achene with a pappus of reddish bristles on top. Tiny in its composure, you may have passed by the scrubby gem while hiking in Baja, California, the Angeles National Forest, the Coconino National Forest in Yavapai County, Arizona, as well as the southwestern corner of Oregon —where it remains a common inhabitant of woodlands, forests, chaparrals, and within the serpentine soils of other native flora and fauna. Partial shade to full sun. Hardiness Zone: 7-9, 14-24. Native to: North America (Louisiana and Texas).