Chaenactis fremontii

Chaenactis fremontii, with the common names Frémont's pincushion and desert pincushion, is a species of annual wildflower in the daisy family. Both the latter common name, and the specific epithet are chosen in honor of John C. Frémont.

Distribution and habitat
Chaenactis fremontii is native to the Southwestern United States and northern Baja California. It grows in sandy and gravelly soils in the deserts and low mountains, such as the Mojave Desert in California and the Sonoran Desert habitats. It is found in California, Baja California, Arizona, Nevada, and southern Utah.



Description
Chaenactis fremontii produces long flowering stems up to 400 mm long that are green when new and grow reddish with age.

They may branch to extend many tall, almost naked stems. The sparse leaves are somewhat fleshy, long and pointed. Atop each erect stem is an inflorescence bearing usually one but sometimes more flower heads, each with plentiful, densely packed disc florets. There may be very large ray florets around the edge of the discoid head. The flowers are white or very light pink.