Chaenactis stevioides – “Stevia Pincushion”

Also Known As: Esteve Pincushion
Family: Sunflower (Asteraceae)
Bloom Period: Feb-Jun
Form: Annual herb
Habitat: Washes and sandy flats
Leaves: Pinnately-compound, leaflets linear with rolled-up margins; basal and alternate
Translation: “Chaenactis” is Greek for “gaping ray” and refers to the outer ring of flowers, which are enlarged; “stevioides” is named for Petrus Jacobus Stevus (Pedro Jaime Esteve) (1500-1566), a Spanish botanist, physician, professor and author.
Notes: Chaenactis is a genus of at least 19 species, and the differences between some are subtle. The leaves of Stevia Pincushion are more divided than those of Desert Pincushion (Chaenactis fremontii). Otherwise, they look quite similar and share much of the same range, though Stevia Pincushion grows further north. Not to be confused with the herbal sweetener, Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana).
Native American Uses: Nevada Native Americans used an infusion of this plant to slow down the heartbeats of children with fevers. The Kayenta used the juice as a glue to fix broken ceremonial items.
Animal Associations: Leaves eaten by the Chuckwalla lizard in the Spring.