Brickellia incana – “Woolly Brickellia”

Family: Sunflower (Asteraceae)
Bloom Period: Apr-Dec
Form: Perennial shrub
Habitat: Washes and roadsides
Leaves: Ovate to triangular; alternate
Translation: “Brickellia” is named for Dr. John Brickell (1749-1809), an Irish-born U.S. naturalist and physician; “incana” is Latin for “grayish” or “hoary,” which describes the leaves and stems
Notes: Rayless flowers have a slightly sweet odor, turn into Dandelion-like puffballs when they go to seed, and leave behind a star-like arrangement of narrow, pointy bracts that persists until the next season’s flowers open
Animal Associations: Flowers host a black and red seedbug in the summertime.