Packera aurea
Bot. Not. 128: 520. 1976.
Perennials, 30–60+ cm; rhizomatous and/or fibrous-rooted (rhizomes or caudices erect to horizontal). Stems 1 or 2–3+, clustered, glabrous or leaf-axils tomentose. Basal leaves petiolate; blades cordate to reniform, 20–60 × 20–60 mm, bases abruptly contracted or ± cordate, margins crenate to crenate-serrate (apices rounded, faces glabrous). Cauline leaves gradually reduced (petiolate or sessile, not clasping; blades oblong to lyrate, lateral lobes 2–4 pairs). Heads 6–20+ in corymbiform to subumbelliform arrays. Peduncles bracteate, glabrous or sparsely tomentose. Calyculi inconspicuous. Phyllaries 13–21, green (tips purple or black), 6–8 mm, glabrous or sparsely tomentose proximally. Ray-florets (8–) 10–13; corolla laminae 8–10+ mm. Disc-florets 55–70+; corolla-tubes 3–3.5 mm, limbs 2–2.5 mm. Cypselae 1–1.5 mm, glabrous; pappi 4.5–5.5 mm. 2n = 44.
Phenology: Flowering late Feb–early May (south), late May–early Aug (north).
Habitat: Damp and swampy places in woodlands, meadows, along gravel banks and streambeds, acidic or sandy/gravelly soils
Elevation: 0–1500 m
Distribution
St. Pierre and Miquelon, Man., N.B., Nfld. and Labr., N.S., Ont., P.E.I., Que., Ala., Ark., Conn., D.C., Fla., Ga., Ill., Ind., Iowa, Ky., Maine, Md., Mass., Mich., Minn., Miss., Mo., N.H., N.J., N.Y., N.C., N.Dak., Ohio, Okla., Pa., R.I., S.C., S.Dak., Tenn., Vt., Va., W.Va., Wis.
Discussion
Packera aurea is abundant and widespread throughout eastern United States and Canada. It reproduces asexually from branched rhizomes or from adventitious shoots. Putative hybrids between P. aurea and P. paupercula, P. pseudaurea, P. schweinitziana, and P. tomentosa have been reported.
Selected References
None.