Subshrubs [shrubs], (10–) 20–30+ cm (sometimes rhizomatous). Leaves cauline; alternate [opposite]; ± sessile; blades linear to filiform (usually ± terete), margins entire, faces glabrous (not glanddotted). Heads discoid, borne singly [in corymbiform arrays]. Calyculi 0. Involucres obconic. Phyllaries persistent, [30–] 45–60 in [2–] 4–5 series (distinct, lance-linear, unequal, outer shorter, all resin-nerved). Receptacles conic, paleate (paleae falling, linear, flattish or weakly conduplicate, scarious, resin-nerved). Ray-florets 0. Disc-florets [25–] 60–150+, bisexual, fertile; corollas yellow, tubes shorter than or about equaling campanulate to cylindric throats, lobes 5, deltate; anther thecae pale; stigmatic papillae in 2 lines. Cypselae columnar to clavate, 8–15-ribbed, glabrous; pappi 0 [bristles].

Distribution

sw United States, Mexico

Discussion

Genus 1, species 2 (1 in the flora).

Varillinae may be allied with Clappiinae (H. Robinson 1981) or with Jaumeinae (P. O. Karis and O. Ryding 1994).

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

Varilla