Monday, October 6, 2014

Yellow Things… Camphorweed (Heterotheca subaxillaris) and Maryland Goldenaster (Chrysopsis mariana)


September 18th, 2014. Camphorweed is one of the most common wildflowers along the roadside in our area. So I was a little surprised when I noticed another yellow daisy like wildflower; this turned out to be Maryland Goldenaster. 

Camphorweed
Maryland Goldenaster
Camphorweed
Maryland Goldenaster
The flowers look similar.  
 
Camphorweed

Camphorweed
Maryland Goldenaster
The leaves are quite different. The leaves of the Maryland Goldenaster are ovoid and regular in shape. The leaves of Camphorweed are irregular both when young, and older
Older. 

If in doubt, it’s easy to distinguish Camphorweed by crushing a leaf which will release a strong fragrance of camphor.

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