[Illustration: Baileya multiradiata]
Common names: WOOLLY-MARIGOLD, DESERT-MARIGOLD, PAPER-DAISY
Arizona and Texas deserts: (_Baileya multiradiata_). Yellow.
March-October.
California desert: (_Baileya pleniradiata_). Yellow. March-November.
Sunflower family. Size: 4 inches up to 2 feet high.
This low-growing, woolly, annual herb with showy, yellow flowers on
long, solitary stems is one of the commonest bloomers gracing the desert
roadsides and making patches of bright color along otherwise drab and
dry, sandy desert washes. It is particularly noticeable because of its
luxurious crop of flowers and long period of bloom.
At first glance, Desert-marigold may be confused with Crownbeard, to
which it is quite similar in color, size, and habit of growing in
groups. However, the regular, circular shape of Marigold blooms and the
considerable difference in leaf shape make the two readily
distinguishable.
In California, Desert-marigold is cultivated for the flower trade.
Fatal poisoning of sheep on over-grazed ranges has been laid at the door
of this plant, although horses crop the flower heads, apparently without
harmful effect. Blossom petals become bleached and papery as the
blossoms age, thus giving the plant in some localities the name
Paperdaisy.
Desert-marigold, of which there are but few species, is common
throughout desert areas of the Southwest from Utah and Nevada to Lower
California, Sonora and Chihuahua.