Thelesperma subnudum, commonly known as Navajo tea,[2] is a perennial species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. It is found from west central Canada to central United States. It grows in openings in pinyon/juniper or yellow pine forests.

Thelesperma subnudum

Secure  (NatureServe)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Thelesperma
Species:
T. subnudum
Binomial name
Thelesperma subnudum
Synonyms
  • Thelesperma pubescens[1] Dorn

Description

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Thelesperma subnudum is a perennial herb that typically grows between 10 and 40 cm (3.9 and 15.7 in) tall. The cauline leaves are "mostly crowded over proximal 1/4(–1/2) of plant heights".[3] The calyculi are "of 7–9 deltate to lance-linear bractlets 2–4+ mm". There are 0 or 8 ray florets per flower head. The ray laminae are yellow, typically 12 to 20 mm (0.47 to 0.79 in) long. The disc corollas are yellow, sometimes with red-brown nerves. The cypselae are 5 to 7 mm (0.20 to 0.28 in) long.[2][3]

It typically blooms from May to September.[3]

Distribution and habitat

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It is native to Alberta, Arizona, Colorado, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming.[4][3][5]

Habitat

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It grows at elevations of 1000–2900 meters from sea level in openings in pinyon/juniper or yellow pine forests.[3]

Uses

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The Navajo have used the flower to produce a yellow to orange dye solution for dyeing woolen yarns.[6]

Taxonomy

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Varieties

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As of July 2023, Plants of the World Online has 2 varieties listed for this taxon:[4]

  • Thelesperma subnudum var. subnudum – west central Canada to central United States
  • Thelesperma subnudum var. maliterrimum S.L.Welsh & N.D.Atwood – Utah

References

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  1. ^ "Thelesperma pubescens Dorn | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 2023-07-11.
  2. ^ a b "Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center – The University of Texas at Austin". www.wildflower.org. Retrieved 2023-07-11.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Thelesperma subnudum – FNA". floranorthamerica.org. Retrieved 2023-07-11.
  4. ^ a b "Thelesperma subnudum A.Gray | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 2023-07-11.
  5. ^ "NatureServe Explorer 2.0". explorer.natureserve.org. Retrieved 2023-07-11.
  6. ^ SAR School for Advanced Research, Navajo Cultural Uses of Native Plants in the Four Corners Region on YouTube, 2016, minutes 10:25–12:11.