Broadleaf Cottonrose

Filago pyramidata was first collected in North America in 1935 (G. Wagenitz 1976). It is known in the flora only from northwestern California and from Saturna Island, British Columbia. It is variable in its native range; additional named varieties may eventually turn up in the flora. The name F. vulgaris was misapplied to this species by P. A. Munz (1968).

Appressed tomentose annuals , 5-30 cm high, with erect primary stem of variable length and divergent branches, usually overtopping the main stem. Leaves oblong-spathulate, apiculate. Capitula c. 8-16 in dense, nearly globose glomerules, 9-12 mm in diameter. Involucre 6 mm long, in the upper half pyramidate and distinctly 5-angled; phyllaries 5-seriate, lanceolate, outer and median carinate, lanate on back, ending in a divergent yellowish arista 1-1.5 mm long, innermost glabrous, phyllaries slightly divergent at fruiting-time. Outer filiform, female florets without pappus in the axils of the phyllaries, in the centre 5-6 (-7) bisexual florets and a varying number of female ones. Cypselas 0.7-1 mm, smooth or thinly papillose, olive brown; pappus in the central florets c. 3 mm long, setae 12-16.

Distribution: Mediterranean region, SW and C Asia.

Fl.Per.:February-September.

Filago germanica sensu Hook.f., Fl. Brit. Ind. 3: 277. 1881 pro parte non L. 1753.

Filago germanica Hudson