Tuberous Desert Chicory

Pyrrhopappus grandiflorus has been reported from Arkansas and New Mexico; I have seen no specimens of it from those states.

Perennials (possibly flowering first year), 5–30(–45+) cm (roots or rootstocks producing tuberiform swellings 1–15 cm below soil surface). Stems usually scapiform, usually branching from bases, proximally glabrous or sparsely to densely pilosulous. Cauline leaves 0(–3), proximal mostly lanceolate, margins usually pinnately lobed, distal linear-filiform, margins entire. Heads borne singly or 2–3 in loose, corymbiform arrays. Calyculi: bractlets 8 in 1(–2) series, linear to subulate, 3–8 mm. Involucres cylindric to turbinate, 17–25 mm. Phyllaries 13–22. Florets 40–60+; anthers 4.5–5 mm (pollen equatorial diameters 46–52 µm). Cypselae: bodies stramineous, 4–5 mm, beaks 6–7 mm; pappi 10–12 mm. 2n = 24.

Barkhausia grandiflora Nuttall, J. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia 7: 69. 1834 (as Borkhausia)