Family: Asteraceae
Author: (Hook.) Cockerell
Bibliography: Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 31: 468 (1904)
Year: 1904
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Hymenoxys
Vegetable: False
Observations: WC. Canada to NW. & NC. U.S.A.
Description
Pingue rubberweed, scientifically known as Hymenoxys richardsonii, is a remarkably resilient and distinctive species within the Asteraceae family. This flowering plant’s presence stretches geographically from the western regions of Canada down through the northwestern and north-central areas of the United States, showcasing its adaptability to various climatic conditions across this extensive range.
First documented in the prestigious Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club in 1904, this species was described by the botanist Cockerell, following an initial identification by Hooker. Its prevalence in both Canada and parts of the USA underscores its ecological versatility.
The pingue rubberweed is visually distinguished by its bright, daisy-like yellow flowers, which bloom from late spring to early autumn. These blooms are an important food source for various pollinators, playing a significant role in the local ecosystem. The plant itself is known for its hardy nature, often found in dry, rocky soils where many other plants struggle to survive. This resilience is partly due to its deep root system, which allows it to access water and nutrients that are out of reach for less robust species.
Despite its common name associating it with rubber production, pingue rubberweed is not used commercially for rubber but has garnered interest historically for its potential in this regard due to its latex-producing properties. It’s also worth noting that while the plant is beneficial for some forms of wildlife, it can be toxic to livestock if consumed in large quantities.
In summary, Hymenoxys richardsonii is a plant of notable interest both botanically and ecologically, serving as a resilient species that supports pollinators while adapting to a wide range of environmental conditions across its expansive North American habitat.
Common Names
Eng: colorado rubberplant, colorado rubberweed, richardson’s bitterweed, pingue, pingue hymenoxys, pingue rubberweed, colorado bitterweed
Fra: hyménoxys de richardson
En: Pingue rubberweed, Richardson’s bitterweed, Colorado rubberplant, COLORADO RUBBERWEED, Pingue hymenoxys, Pingue, Colorado bitterweed
Fr: Hyménoxys de Richardson
Synonyms
- Actinea richardsonii ((Hook.) Kuntze)
- Actinella richardsonii ((Hook.) Nutt.)
- Picradenia richardsonii (Hook.)
Distribution
- Alberta (native)
- Arizona (native)
- Colorado (native)
- Montana (native)
- New Mexico (native)
- North Dakota (native)
- Saskatchewan (native)
- Texas (native)
- Utah (native)
- Wyoming (native)
Additional Images
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Flower
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Cooper, G.A. (cc-by-nc-sa)
Habit
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Wagner, W.L. (cc-by-nc-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3150160)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:126022-2)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Hymenoxys richardsonii (Hook.) Cockerell)
Specifications
Growth habit>: Subshrub, Forb/herb