Pictorial Key To Fall Yellow-Flowering Shrubs In The San Gabriel Mountains

See the Introduction to this key.

The following key will allow quick discrimination of the seven species. The common name is linked to pictures of each species. A form of the key with accompanying pictures to illustrate each key couplet and each species is also available.

1. Ray flowers present, with obvious ligules

2. Leaves threadlike, not clustered in axils, deeply divided into narrow segments ....Senecio flaccidus var. douglasii (bush Senecio; common)
2'. Leaves threadlike, clustered in axils, not divided .... Ericameria pinifolia (pine goldenbush)

1'. Ray flowers not present

3. Leaves scale-like, less than 5 mm long .... Lepidospartum squamatum (scalebroom; common)
3'. Leaves not scale-like, greater than 5 mm long

4. Leaves toothed ... Hazardia squarrosa (sawtooth goldenbush)
4'. Leaves entire

5. Flowers 4-6 per head

6. Phyllaries in 5 obvious vertical or nearly-vertical (slightly twisted) columns; flowers 5 per head ... Chrysothamnus nauseosus (rubber rabbitbrush; common)
6'. Phyllaries overlapping, not lined up in columns; flowers 4-6 per head .... Lepidospartum latisquamum (Nevada broomsage)

5'. Flowers 8-18 per head ... Ericameria parishii (Parish's goldenbush)

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• Introduction to this key