Packera aurea

Golden Ragwort, Golden Groundsel

[ click on any image below to see larger version ]


Family: Asteraceae

Mid-Atlantic bloom time: late March - June

A springtime favorite, Golden Ragwort puts out a cluster of bright yellow composite flowers. Note the difference in leaf shapes between the basal leaves and upper leaves. While the toothed upper leaves are cut into an almost dandelion-shape, the basal leaves are cordate (and also toothed).

Compare to the quite similar Round-leaved Ragwort (Packera obovata), particularly noting the difference in shape of the basal leaves.




11 April 2018
Riverbend Park, Great Falls, VA
(flower cluster at top of stem)
11 April 2018
(note difference in shape between upper and lower leaves)
Riverbend Park, Great Falls, VA
12 April 2018
(note cordate shape of basal leaves)
Manassas National Battlefield Park, Manassas, VA
8 May 2018
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Park, Sharpsburg, MD




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