Family - Asteraceae

Stems - No info. yet.

Leaves - No info. yet.

Inflorescence - No info. yet.

Involucre - No info. yet.

Involucre.

Ray flowers - No info. yet.

Disk flowers - No info. yet.

Flowers.

Close-up.

Flowering - April - August.

Habitat - Rocky open woods, prairies, glades.

Origin - Native to U.S.

Other info. - This tiny species can be found in just a handful of southwestern Missouri counties. It is easily overlooked in the field because of its small size but is easily identified as nothing else in its family resembles it. The thin, wiry stems and scale-like leaves are good characters to look for. A similar looking species which could occur with this one is Arenaria patula Michx. but this latter species has opposite leaves and flowers with 4 petals. Chaetopappa has alternate leaves and a composite flower.

Photographs taken at Taberville Prairie, MO., 6-7-03.