SafePlants

Blepharizonia plumosa (Kellogg) Greene subsp. plumosa - Big Tarweed

Blepharizonia plumosa, commonly known as big tarweed, is a California native species.

Considerations for Pets

• Tarweed seeds are mentioned as a food source for small mammals. This suggests the plant produces seeds that might attract animals.
• The text mentions that tarweed is "oily." This could refer to a sap or resin that may be present on the plant.

Considerations for Children

• The text mentions that tarweed is "oily." This could refer to a sap or resin that may be present on the plant.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Blepharizonia plumosa (Kellogg) Greene
• Subspecies: Blepharizonia plumosa subsp. plumosa (Kellogg) Greene and Blepharizonia plumosa ssp. viscida
• Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower family)
• Rank: Species
• Nomenclatural Reference: Bull. Calif. Acad. Sci. 1: 279. 1885 14 Dec 1885
• Synonyms: The text mentions "s text More information. Genera of Asteraceae:" which suggests the presence of synonyms or related information, but does not explicitly provide them.

Common Names

• Big Tarweed
• Santa Cruz Tarweed

Distribution and Habitat

• Blepharizonia plumosa is endemic to central California.
• It grows in dry slopes in grasslands.
• Specific locations mentioned include Andrew Molera, the Central Coast, Big Creek, Ao Nuevo, Fort Ord, UCSC Campus, Younger Lagoon, and UCSC NRS.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• It is an annual forb/herb.
• The text describes the leaves as "relatively large and thin elliptical leaves."
• The plant has greenish-yellow leaves, roughly the size of a large dog.
• The plant is distinguished by its large number of flowers (8 to 16) that have three-lobed outer ray.

Ecological Role

• Tarweed seeds are eaten by many birds and small mammals.
• It is a critical food source for native birds and insects during the hot, dry California summer.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• The text mentions a monarch caterpillar found in a large tarweed patch.
• It is related to silversword plants.

Environmental Tolerance

• The big tarweed can bear temperatures a few degrees below zero.

Quirky Facts

• The text includes the phrase "And now the tar weed, sweet vagrant of the valley," indicating it may have some nostalgic or poetic association.

Further Information

• CalPhotos is mentioned as a source of photos of Blepharizonia plumosa.