Family: Asteraceae - SUNFLOWER FAMILY, ASTER FAMILY (Compositae)
Genus: Senecio from senex, 'an old man', for lack of hair near flower heads
Species: triangularis for pointed triangular leaves
aka Spear-head Senecio, Arrowleaf Ragwort. The saw-toothed leaf is obviously the distinguishing freature. They occur all the way up the tall stems, which can range from 20 - 40" (50 - 100 cm), diminishing in size as they near the top. The yellow flowers are showy with brillant yellow disks and usually eight rays. Senecio is one of the largest genera of flowering plants with 1,500 species worldwide; Rainier provides us ten with S. triangularis probably the most common. Found, often in colonies, on streambanks, meadows above 4,000' elevation. (ref. Biek, Pojar)
Trail Notes:
Trail/Hike: Mazama Ridge
Date: August 4, 2007
Location: within 0.50 mi. from trailhead at Reflection Lakes (photo)
