Blepharipappus

Blepharipappus is a North American plant genus in the family Asteraceae containing the single known species Blepharipappus scaber, known by the common name rough eyelash, or rough eyelashweed.[1] Blepharis is Greek for 'eyelash' and 'pappus' refers to the feathery part of the plant's seeds.[2]

Blepharipappus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Subfamily: Asteroideae
Tribe: Madieae
Subtribe: Madiinae
Genus: Blepharipappus
Hook.
Species:
B. scaber
Binomial name
Blepharipappus scaber

Blepharipappus scaber is a small, inconspicuous, annual plant herb to the northwestern United States (Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Nevada, and northern California).[3] It grows in sandy soil in forests at elevations of 300–2200 meters (1000–7300 feet)[4] and in the western portion of the sagebrush steppe.[2]

Growing up to several inches in height, the plant raises slender, fuzzy stems, with alternate leaves.[2] Atop the stems bloom between one and several daisylike flower heads.[2][4] These have 3–8 three-lobed ray florets,[2] which are white with purple markings, while the center of the head is packed with about 10 white disc florets with purple anthers.[2] The fruit is a dark achene which often bears a pappus of a few stiff, light colored bristles, resembling human eyelashes (hence the common name of the plant).[4]

Some Plateau Indian tribes used as part of a treatment for bloody diarrhea.[5]

The species is similar to Layia glandulosa, which has yellow disc flowers.[2]

References
  1. Calflora taxon report, University of California, Blepharipappus scaber Hook., rough eyelashweed
  2. Taylor, Ronald J. (1994) [1992]. Sagebrush Country: A Wildflower Sanctuary (rev. ed.). Missoula, MT: Mountain Press Pub. Co. p. 154. ISBN 0-87842-280-3. OCLC 25708726.
  3. Biota of North America Program 2013 county distribution map
  4. Flora of North America, Blepharipappus Hooker, Fl. Bor.-Amer. 1: 316. 1833.
  5. Hunn, Eugene S. (1990). Nch'i-Wana, "The Big River": Mid-Columbia Indians and Their Land. University of Washington Press. p. 352. ISBN 0-295-97119-3.


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