Chaenactis is a genus of plants in the family Asteraceae which are known generally as pincushions and dustymaidens.Candolle, Augustin Pyramus de. 1836. Prodromus Systematis Naturalis Regni Vegetabilis 5: 659 in LatinTropicos, Chaenactis DC.
These wildflowers are native to western North America, especially the desert southwest of the United States. They are quite variable in appearance. They are generally aster-like in appearance with many disc florets in each head. There may be only disc florets, but sometimes there are also enlarged ray florets along the edges of the corolla. They may be white to yellow or pink.Flora of North America, Chaenactis de Candolle in A. P. de Candolle and A. L. P. P. de Candolle, Prodr. 5: 659. 1836.
Species Species include:Biota of North America Program 2013 county distribution mapsCONABIO. 2009. Catálogo taxonómico de especies de México. 1. In Capital Nat. México. CONABIO, México D.F.
References
External links Calflora Database: Chaenactis Taxon Report — with species links + images. Jepson Manual eFlora treatment of Chaenactis USDA Plants Profile for Chaenactis Southwest Colorado Wildflowers.com: photos of region's species