XRose Heath (Chaetopappa ericoides)X
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Rose Heath -or- Heath-Leaved Chaetopappa -or- Sand Aster (Chaetopappa ericoides), family Ateraceae (Sunflower)
This was one of the smallest little daisy flowers we've ever seen. See the plant view for a perspective on just how small. The rose tips on the phyllaries and unopened petals gave the plants a soft pretty look. In terms of the technical these plants are hairy and sticky. The genus Chaetopappa is not large with this being the only species in the state of Colorado. There are 8 or so species in the genus. When seen in the early morning hours the petals of the flowers are often curled downward. The plants are also known as Leucelene ericoides, amoung others, and are native to southwestern and much of the midwestern United States and northern Mexico.
USES: Native American tribes found quite a few medical uses for these plants, specifically: Zuni: Infusion of pulverized plant applied for pain from cold or rheumatism. Infusion of whole plant rubbed on body for swelling and rheumatic pain. Infusion of whole plant rubbed on body for pain from a cold. Infusion of pulverized plant rubbed over body for swellings. Warm infusion of plant taken to "hasten parturition." Keres, Western: Poultice or infusion of plant used for swellings. Havasupai: Decoction of whole plant or roots taken or used as a wash for digestive troubles. Decoction of whole plant or roots given or used as a wash for children with digestive troubles. Hopi: Infusion of root used to "aid a sore nose." Root used as a universal panacea. Infusion of herb used to "quiet the baby." Plant used to determine the sex of a child. Plant used as a stimulant. Navajo, Kayenta: Infusion of plant with sumac berries taken for kidney disease. Infusion of plant with sumac berries taken for bladder disease. Dried pulverized plant used as snuff or cold infusion used as drops for "nose trouble." Poultice of chewed leaves applied and infusion taken for snakebite. Leaves chewed for toothache. No records of edible uses are mentioned by the website Native American Ethnobotany.
Flower -
Plant location: Found in Pueblo Colorado on May 12, 2010. The elevation was 5596'. GPS coordinates: N38?14.812 W105?02.065. Found in the following United States: AZ, CA, CO, KS, NE, NM, NV, OK, TX, UT, WY. They are foothill-montane dwellers. Common habitats per the Colorado State University Extension website include rocky areas, blackbrush to pinyon-juniper woods, and southern deserts.Plant -
Bloom season: March through August.Foliage -
Pueblo Colorado - May 12, 2010
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Pueblo Colorado - May 12, 2010
The pointed with purple-ish tipped phyllaries are characteristic of the species -
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Pueblo Colorado - May 12, 2010
Plant view -
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Pueblo Colorado - May 12, 2010
Macro of foliage -
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Pueblo Colorado - May 12, 2010
In Greek Chaetopappa means bristly pappus -