Viguiera dentata var. lancifolia is the subspecies native to Arizona and Mexico only

Viguiera dentata var. dentata is also native to Arizona and Mexico, and adds Texas and New Mexico as well.

The genus Viguiera is distinguished by hairy filaments on the stamen. The sunflower aspect is evident in the large, heart-shaped toothed leaves, with Viguiera dentata having the most sunflower-like leaves.

http://npsot.org/wp/story/2011...

Viguiera dentata:

Leaves opposite (proximal) or alternate (distal); petioles 10-55 mm; blades ovate or rhombic-ovate to lance-ovate or lanceolate, 3.5-12.5 × 1-8 cm, margins serrate or serrulate, faces strigose.

http://swbiodiversity.org/sein...

It's difficult to see the serrate margins but a photo of the leaves do show it a little, however the leaf shape is wrong being like an ace of spades shape but the description indicates they can be otherwise. The flowers don't seem to match well, the centres are more daisy-like but at what stage are the flowers at? If they were forming seeds in the middle wouldn't the petals have dropped? There's good photos showing the backs of the flowers on the above link.

http://swbiodiversity.org/sein...

I don't think it's the right thing to do to find a photo which appears to match, you need a good description on a reliable site, even then some photos can be wrong.

I've compared the backs of the flowers, the petals on yours Porkpal aren't broad all the way to the centre, they narrow significantly.

http://garden.org/pics/2015-11...

Compare with this photo ..

http://swbiodiversity.org/sein...

Viguiera dentata is widespread and variable. It is unique in Helianthinae in the hairy staminal filaments.

Are there hairs on the filaments? An example of hairs on filaments in the link below, the yellow parts on top are the pollen bearing anthers.

http://wnmu.edu/academic/nspag...

I agree that some photos must be wrong as they do not all match. Parts of those quoted descriptions do sound like my plant, especially the fact that the leaves can be alternate and also opposite, however the "heart shape" does not fit...

I will need to examine the stamens for hairs, but that image of the bloom does not match well.

There's a lot of Viguiera species and varieties!

http://botany.csdl.tamu.edu/FL...

http://swbiodiversity.org/sein...

Yes, you first need to examine the filaments.

Give this a look. USDA link that shows all species of Viguiera that grow in Texas with descriptions. Click on show all and scroll down for info.


http://plants.usda.gov/core/pr...

Just guessing. Could it be a type of Heliopsis?

No, I think all of them have blooms with too many rays. Some Viguiera still seems most likely to me.

Viguiera cordifolia .. not a match.

http://www.sernecportal.org/po...

Viguiera dentata .. unless there's a variety which does match, not a match.

http://www.sernecportal.org/po...

Viguiera phenax .. I can find no information, it appears to be rare.

http://www.sernecportal.org/po...

Viguiera stenoloba .. not a match.

http://plants.usda.gov/core/pr...

http://www.sernecportal.org/po...

Asteraceae in Texas ..

http://www.sernecportal.org/po...

Janet, do you see a likely candidate among those photos?

@porkpal

Perhaps the solution lies with these folks.

http://fortbend.agrilife.org/

http://harris.agrilife.org/

Thanks, Jean. I have taken Fort Bend a sample of the plant, but I have not heard back from them yet.

I went through the photos only briefly porkpal, nothing jumped out at me.

Have you checked the filaments for hairs?

The filaments look completely smooth to me. Alas I do not have a camera that is able to take close-ups. Does that eliminate all of the Viguiera species?

Viguiera dentata is widespread and variable. It is unique in Helianthinae in the hairy staminal filaments

If there are no hairs on the filaments, then it is not Viguiera dentata. Have you got a good magnifying glass?

You need to look at the other Viguiera species descriptions which are on the site I linked to. V. dentata was the closest in appearance though so it doesn't look good unless there's another Viguiera sp. hiding in your location which shouldn't be there according to the maps.

I'll keep looking, but V. dentata was decidedly the best match so far.

I think you have a match with Viguiera dentata. Both the flower and leaf match.

http://chalk.richmond.edu/flor...
http://www.backyardnature.net/...

I agree that it is the best match I have seen. However Janet found a description stating that it should have hairy staminal filaments which it does not...?