Species of flowering plant
Thelesperma subnudum, commonly known as Navajo tea,[2] is a perennial species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. It is found from west central Canada to central United States. It grows in openings in pinyon/juniper or yellow pine forests.
Description
Thelesperma subnudum is a perennial herb that typically grows between 10 and 40 cm (3.9 and 15.7 in) tall. The cauline leaves are "mostly crowded over proximal 1/4(–1/2) of plant heights".[3] The calyculi are "of 7–9 deltate to lance-linear bractlets 2–4+ mm". There are 0 or 8 ray florets per flower head. The ray laminae are yellow, typically 12 to 20 mm (0.47 to 0.79 in) long. The disc corollas are yellow, sometimes with red-brown nerves. The cypselae are 5 to 7 mm (0.20 to 0.28 in) long.[2][3]
It typically blooms from May to September.[3]
Distribution and habitat
It is native to Alberta, Arizona, Colorado, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming.[4][3][5]
Habitat
It grows at elevations of 1000–2900 meters from sea level in openings in pinyon/juniper or yellow pine forests.[3]
Uses
The Navajo have used the flower to produce a yellow to orange dye solution for dyeing woolen yarns.[6]
Taxonomy
Varieties
As of July 2023, Plants of the World Online has 2 varieties listed for this taxon:[4]
- Thelesperma subnudum var. subnudum – west central Canada to central United States
- Thelesperma subnudum var. maliterrimum S.L.Welsh & N.D.Atwood – Utah
References