Growth Form:Forb/herb; weedy looking; plants upright or spreading outward, generally not symmetrical, stems rough-hairy.
Leaves: Leaves generally green leaves that are generally dull looking and hairy on both sides; leaf shape ovate-lanceolate; upper leaves without supporting stem and clasping to the stem.
Flowering Season: March or April to October or November
Elevation: 1,000 to 5,500 feet (304-1,676 m)
Habitat Preferences: Lower and upper deserts, disturbed areas, roads, dry desert washes and ditches.
Southern half of the US, from CA and NV, east to NY; south to c MEX
Recorded Range: Southern half of the United States, southward to northwest and northwest Mexico bording Texas. In the southwestern United States it is most predominate in AZ, CA, NM, TX
North America species range map for Camphorweed, Heterotheca subaxillaris:
North American range map courtesy of Virginia Tech, Dept. of Forest Resources & Environmental Conservation
Click image for full size map
U.S. Weed Information: In North America Heterotheca subaxillaris can be weedy or invasive according to the following authoritative sources:
Weeds of Nebraska and the Great Plains;
Weeds of the West.
Plants included here may become weedy or invasive.
Threatened/Endangered Information: In North America, Broad-leaf Golden-aster, Heterotheca subaxillaris var. latifolia is listed by:
The State of Kentucky as "Threatened."
Genus Information: In North America there are 18 species and 18 accepted taxa overall for Heterotheca. Worldwide, The Plant List includes 25 accepted species names and a further 125 scientific names of infraspecific rank for Heterotheca.
In the Southwestern United States: Arizona, California and Utah each have 7 species of Heterotheca, Nevada has 4 species, New Mexico has 8 species, and Texas has 6 species. Data approximate and subject to revision.
There are 2 sub-species in Heterotheca subaxillaris;
Heterotheca subaxillaris subsp. latifolia, (Texas to Delaware);
Heterotheca subaxillaris subsp. subaxillaris, (throughout southern United States).
Comments:Heterotheca subaxillaris has variable characteristics across its range yet it has a very distinguishable profile even from a distance. A similar species Telegraph Weed, Heterotheca grandiflora has relatively large flower heads compared to Camphorweed. Camphorweed has a camphor-like odor and is considered a weed by many authorities.
Importance to Wildlife, Birds and Livestock
Heterotheca subaxillaris, flowers, seeds and foliage provide food and cover value to birds, rodents and insects.
Beneficial Value to Butterflies, Bees and Insects
The brightly colored yellow flowers of Heterotheca subaxillaris attract butterflies, moths and other insects in search of food.
Etymology:
The genus “Heterotheca” (Heterothe'ca:) is derived from the Greek heteros, “different,” and theke, “ovary,” from the unlike cypselas of the ray and disk
florets.
