XHeterotheca villosa - Golden Aster VillosaX
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Golden Aster Villosa -or- Hairy False Goldenaster -or- Hairy Golden Aster (Heterotheca villosa), family Asteraceae, (Aster/Sunflower)
Thank you Dr.JohnC.Semple for taking his busy time to confirm the identity of this species.
In his words "Yes, the photo's are of Heterotheca villosa (Pursh) Shinners and possibly var. foliosa (Nutt.) Harms based on leaf shape. I can't tell if the leaves were just hairy or hairy and glandular". End quote. This species has also been known as Chrysopsis villosa. We learned from Dr. Semple's comment to gently touch the plant parts we find to check for stickiness (glandular consistency) as a clue to identification. When we found this specimen we were not yet noting elevations and GPS coordinates - another aid to identification. This species is classified as threatened in the state of Indiana. There are about 20 species in the genus Heterotheca, with Weber and Wittmann naming only 5 found in the Eastern Slope area of Colorado. Species villosa is described as being highly variable and in fact there are 9 distinct varieties of the species: ballardii, depressa, foliosa, minor, nana, pedunculata, scabra, villosa, and sierrablancensis.
USES: Two of these varieties are recorded as being used by Native American tribes - minor: Isleta tribe - plant, when touched, caused a skin irritation similar to ant bites. Navajo, Ramah - Poultice of leaves applied to ant bites or sore nose. Poultice of root applied for toothache. villosa: Cheyenne - Plant burned as incense to remove evil spirits from the house. Infusion of tops and stems taken for feeling poorly and made one sleepy. Hopi - Infusion of leaves and flowers used for chest pain. Navajo, Kayenta - Plant used in the ceremonial corral dance. Navajo, Ramah - Plant used as a ceremonial emetic and chant lotion. Plant used as a ceremonial and sweathouse emetic for various ailments. Cold infusion of leaves used to kill a swallowed red ant. Plant used as a sweathouse emetic for indigestion. Plant used as an "aorta medicine for the heart." Infusion thrown on ant hill to kill red ants. Root used as a "life medicine." Poultice of heated root applied for toothache. Plant used as a sweathouse emetic for sexual infection. Fodder: Used for sheep feed.
For a Bloomin' FunFact mouse click the foliage panel of this species. See the other Heterotheca species on the website: canescens - pumila.
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Plant location: Date photographed, October 4, 2008 in a Jackson County Colorado Open Space, Lookout Mountain area. The presence of this species in the USA is considerable: (AZ, CA, CO, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, MI, MN, MT, ND, NE, NM, NV, OK, OR, SD, TX, UT, WA, WI, WY) - And Canada as well (AB, BC, MB, ON, SK). Native Habitat: Open plains, rocky slopes, cliffs, from low elevations into coniferous forests. This species is typically a foothills and montane dweller. Plant -
Bloom season: Commonly July to September. This pretty species attracts butterflies. It is native to both the continental United States and to Canada.
FunFacts: Bloom periods are mostly about attracting pollinators. The plant family that this species belongs to (Asteraceae) is considered to be highly evolved in the plant kingdom. For one, the complex flower heads both attract and provide 'landing platforms' for pollinators. Also, many species in this family offer a 'double payoff' to their visitors, both pollen AND nectar.
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