Diverse Leaf Crownbeard

Plants 40–50(–80+) cm (perennating bases ± horizontal rhizomes, internodes winged). Leaves all or mostly opposite (distal sometimes alternate); blades ± ovate to elliptic or lanceolate, 3–7+ × 0.8–2.5+ cm, bases ± cuneate, margins toothed, apices obtuse, faces scabrellous. Heads borne singly or 3–9+ in loose, corymbiform arrays. Involucres hemispheric or broader, 12–15+ mm diam. Phyllaries 18–20+ in 2–3 series, ± erect, narrowly oblong to lanceolate, 4–6+ mm. Ray florets (5–)8; laminae 12–15+ mm. Disc florets 20–60+; corollas yellow. Cypselae purplish black, narrowly obovate to ± elliptic, 5 mm, faces glabrous; pappi 0–0.3 mm. 2n = 34.

Actinomeris heterophylla Chapman, Bot. Gaz. 3: 6. 1878; Verbesina warei A. Gray