Snake's Head
Malacothrix coulteri
Color: Yellow
Common name: Snake's Head
Latin name: Malacothrix coulteri
Family: ASTERACEAE
Height: 2-20 inches
Description: Malacothrix coulteri is an annual herb producing a waxy, upright flowering stem. The inflorescence is an array of flower heads the yellow or white ray florets are about a centimeter long. The bracts are green, often with dark striping or marking.
Leaf: The leaves, which are mostly located near the base of the stem, are toothed or not.
Range: Mojave Desert, San Joaquin Valley, Central Western California, (formerly n Channel Islands), Western Transverse Ranges, Peninsular Ranges, East of Sierra Nevada
Habitat: Sandy, open areas, in coastal sage, grassland, deserts
Elevation: < 1500 m.
Flowering time: Mar–May
Notes: Horticulture: Given excellent drainage (modification of compacted or other water-holding soils may be necessary) and full or nearly full sun (tolerates summer afternoon sun), grows especially well in zones 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, and 24 and also in zones 17 and 18. Malacothrix coulteri is a dicot that is native to California and is also found elsewhere in North America and beyond. This photo was taken on April 12, 2005 in Red Rock Canyon State Park, Kern County, California.
We have an online wildflower field guide that is designed to help you identify desert wildflowers by color, scientific name, region and common name. The pictures are sized to work on the iPod, iPhone, iPad and similar devices. With your iPod or phone you will easily be able to identify wildflowers while in the desert. Links for downloads are on the bottom of the Wildflower Field Guide page.
Photo tips: Most digital point-and-shoot cameras have a macro function - usually symbolized by the icon of a little flower. When you turn on that function, you allow your camera to get closer to the subject, looking into a flower for example. Or getting up close and personal with a bug. More on desert photography.
Mojave Desert Wildflowers - This book is the standard by which all other wildflower books are measured. The author, Jon Mark Stewart, has combined super photography with concise information. This book has an entire color page for each wildflower covered, with a discussion of the wildflower. 210 pages with 200 color photos. More...
What's Blooming Now - Check the Wildflower Reports
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