Psathyrotes ramosissima – “Velvet Turtleback”

Also Known As: Velvet Rosette
Other Botanical Names: Tetradymia ramosissima
Family: Sunflower (Asteraceae)
Bloom Period: Mar-Jun
Form: Annual or perennial herb
Habitat: Sandy creosote-bush scrub
Leaves: Rounded to deltate (triangular) or cordate; deeply veined
Translation: “Psathyrotes” is from Greek for “brittleness,” which refers to the stems; “ramosissima” is Latin for “very much branched”, which this plant is; “Tetradymia” is Greek for “four together,” which describes the four-flowered heads of the first species of this genus to be described.
Notes: The compact, rounded shape of this low-to-the-ground plant resembles a turtle’s shell, hence the name.
Native American Uses: The Paiute and Shoshone made a tea for treating diarrhea, stomach aches, constipation, liver trouble and venereal disease; applied it topically for headaches, sores, insect bites, and snake bites, and the Paiute chewed it for toothaches.