Peucephyllum
Encyclopedia
Peucephyllum is a monotypic genus containing the single species Peucephyllum schottii, known commonly as the pygmy cedar or desert fir. This bushy shrub is neither a cedar nor a fir
, but is in fact a member of the daisy family
. It is leafy and evergreen and the foliage has glands which produce a resin
. It flowers in yellow flower heads
which have only disc florets. The fruits are woody, bristly seeds with a pappus
. This plant is native to the desert areas of California, Arizona, and northern Mexico.
Of note, the species form is identical to the common creosote bush
, small, minor and hemispherical; when flowering, the yellow flowers are identical in color and quantity to that of the creosote-(Larrea tridentata), so when encountered in mountainous washes, the plant can be overlooked. The green coloration of the two plants is also nearly identical.
Fir
Firs are a genus of 48–55 species of evergreen conifers in the family Pinaceae. They are found through much of North and Central America, Europe, Asia, and North Africa, occurring in mountains over most of the range...
, but is in fact a member of the daisy family
Asteraceae
The Asteraceae or Compositae , is an exceedingly large and widespread family of vascular plants. The group has more than 22,750 currently accepted species, spread across 1620 genera and 12 subfamilies...
. It is leafy and evergreen and the foliage has glands which produce a resin
Resin
Resin in the most specific use of the term is a hydrocarbon secretion of many plants, particularly coniferous trees. Resins are valued for their chemical properties and associated uses, such as the production of varnishes, adhesives, and food glazing agents; as an important source of raw materials...
. It flowers in yellow flower heads
Head (botany)
The capitulum is considered the most derived form of inflorescence. Flower heads found outside Asteraceae show lesser degrees of specialization....
which have only disc florets. The fruits are woody, bristly seeds with a pappus
Pappus (flower structure)
The pappus is the modified calyx, the part of an individual disk, ray or ligule floret surrounding the base of the corolla, in flower heads of the plant family Asteraceae. The pappus may be composed of bristles , awns, scales, or may be absent. In some species, the pappus is too small to see...
. This plant is native to the desert areas of California, Arizona, and northern Mexico.
Of note, the species form is identical to the common creosote bush
Creosote bush
Larrea tridentata is known as Creosote bush as a plant, chaparral as a medicinal herb, and as "gobernadora" in Mexico, Spanish for "governess," due to its ability for inhibiting the growth of nearby plants to have more water. In Sonora, it is more commonly called "hediondilla." It is a flowering...
, small, minor and hemispherical; when flowering, the yellow flowers are identical in color and quantity to that of the creosote-(Larrea tridentata), so when encountered in mountainous washes, the plant can be overlooked. The green coloration of the two plants is also nearly identical.