Stanleya pinnata, along Rourke Rd. near Picket Wire Canyon, Comanche National Grasslands, Otero Co. 4252
Scientific Name | Stanleya pinnata | USDA PLANTS Symbol | STPI |
Common Name | Desert Prince's Plume, Golden Prince's Plume | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 23329 |
Family | Brassicaceae (Mustard) | SEINet Reference |
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Description | Life zones and habitat: Plains and foothills (4000 to 8300 ft.); various dry soils including selenium-rich soils in open areas, deserts, hillsides, grasslands and scrublands. Plant: Upright perennial herb to subshrub or shrub 1 to 4 ft. tall with multiple, mostly unbranched stems. Leaves: Basal and lower stem leaves wither before flowering, 1.2 to 6 inches long and 0.8 to 2 inches wide, oblanceolate to ovate, pinnately lobed; upper stem leaves becoming smaller, entire, dentate or few-lobed. Inflorescence: Dense, plume-like racemes 4 to 14 inches long of yellow flowers, each with 4 petals about 0.5-inch long, densely hairy inside; 6 protruding stamens; 4 linear-oblong, spreading yellow sepals. Bloom Period: April to September. Fruit: Green, narrow, long (up to 4 inches) pods projecting outwards, hanging down with age. References: "Flora of Colorado" by Jennifer Ackerfield, Kansas Wildflowers and Grasses, SEINet, and American Southwest. |
BONAP Distribution Map![]() Map Color Key |
Colorado Status: Native |
© Tom Lebsack 2025
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