Camphor daisy
Rayjacksonia phyllocephala
Family Asteraceae - emergent vegetation
Distinguishing Characteristics |
Emergent vegetation, erect; leaves are thick, narrow; leaf margins are distinctly serrated or can be smooth with 1 or 2 pairs of serrations; in older plants the leaves are thick, succulent-like; stems and leaves have minute hairs; flowers are yellow with yellow centers, daisy-shaped; flowers all year long; fruits are small, white, containing 1 seed, have hair-like extensions (similar to dandelions) that help it disperse; plant can grow upright or sprawl along the sand. |
Similar Species |
Similar to the sea-ox-eye daisy, Borrichia frutescens, but the sea-on-eye daisy does not have serrated leaves and its leaves are usually opposite, not alternating. |
Habitat |
Sand dunes, wet salt flats, pinelands and dry fields; Native range is Colorado, Texas, Louisiana and Florida. |
Maximum Size |
60 cm (2 ft). |
Other Common Names |
golden aster |
Previous Scientific Names |
Eriocarpum megacephalum, Haplopappus phyllocephalus, Machaeranthera phyllocephala |
Comments |
When the leaves are crushed, an odor similar to camphor is given off. |