Desert Marigold
Baileya multiradiata, Sunflower Family, ( Compositae ), Desert Marigold. Also called: Paper Daisy or Wild Marigold.
Desert baileya, either fresh or dried, is poisonous to sheep and goats, but not to horses or cattle.
Height: Up To About 1/2 to1 1/2 feet tall.
Flowers: Yellow flower heads are 1 to 1 3/4 inches across, with 20 to 50 bright yellow ray flowers ("petals"). These do not drop off, but are persistent and become faded, papery, and turned downward in age. The flower heads are mostly borne singly at the tips of the stems and branches on long naked stalks, 4 to 8 inches long.
Each head produces at least 100 achenes, which are rodshaped, about 1/8 inch long, light brown, with many longitudinal nerves on the surface.
Blooming Time: Mid March - November.
Leaves: Soft, woolly leaves are alternate, clustered largely at the base of the plant and divided into irregular close set lobes, or some are divided again. The upper leaves are few lobed, or may be narrow and smooth edged.
Found: Found throughout Arizona.
Elevation: 0 - 5000 Feet.
Habitat: Desert baileya is a native range weed growing on sandy or gravelly soils. A most attractive and abundant plant along roadsides, plains, and mesas.
Miscellaneous: Flowering Photos Taken April 29, 2003. Near Lake Pleasant.
