Syn.: Prenanthes juncea Pursh
Family: Asteraceae Bercht. et J. Presl
Distribution: North American species found mostly in the west of the continent, from British Columbia to Manitoba (in southern parts) and from Minnesota southward and westward. It is absent in California and fairly rare in some parts of Washington and Oregon. The main area of distribution occurs through the centre of the continent.
Ecology: Found in prairie and grasslands, in exposed localities, in sand or gravel, 600–2300 m of elevation. Blooms from July to September.
Description: Perennial herb, 10–35(–70) cm tall, from deep taproot and branched rhizome. Stems erect but bushy clumps leaning on neighbouring vegetation or decumbent, much branched toward the top, round, smooth. Basal leaves few, linear, 5–30 × 1–2 mm, apex acute, margins smooth; stem leaves reduced to almost scales. Flower heads terminal, single or in corymb formation, 1–50; involucres cylindric, bracts 5–7, linear, tips spreading; florets usually 5, ligules 18–20 × 3–4 mm, pink to lavender, rarely white, truncated with usually 5 teeth. Fruit is an achene, 6–10 mm, with white, many bristled pappus, 6–9 mm long.
Note: Names rush/juncea were applied for its resemblance to rushes/Juncus for its round stems with minimal leaves.
These images were taken in Canada, British Columbia, Fairmont Hot Springs, Hoodoos (by Alena Vydrová: July 25, 2007) and Canada, Alberta, Calgary, Confluence Park (by Karel Bergmann: July 11, 2015, and August 14, 2015).
