Chaenactis fremontii – “Desert Pincushion”

Family: Sunflower (Asteraceae)
Bloom Period: Feb-May
Form: Annual herb
Habitat: Washes and sandy flats
Leaves: Pinnately-compound; leaflets fleshy and linear; basal and alternate
Translation: “Chaenactis” is Greek for “gaping ray” and refers to the outer ring of flowers, which are enlarged; “fremontii” is named for John C. Frémont (1813-1890), known as “the Pathfinder,” a cartographer, explorer, and anti-slavery politician
Notes: Flowers can occasionally be tinged pink (as pictured). Chaenactis is a genus of at least 19 species, and the differences can be subtle. The Desert Pincushion is the most common in the Mojave Desert. Compare with Stevia Pincushion (Chaenactis stevioides).
Animal Associations: Leaves eaten by the Chuckwalla lizard in the Spring. Nectar source for the California Patch butterfly.