Fauna
Flower · GBIF taxon 3144442

Bristleleaf Pricklyleaf

Thymophylla tenuiloba

Also known as Dahlberg Daisy, Golden Fleece, Shooting Star, Small Bristleleaf Pricklyleaf

Bristleleaf pricklyleaf carpets arid gravels and rocky slopes with masses of vivid golden-yellow flower heads from spring through autumn. Its thread-like, finely divided foliage releases a pungent, citrus-herbal aroma whenever brushed or crushed. Adapted to punishing heat and drought-prone limestone terrain, it serves as an early colonizer that provides vital nectar to solitary bees and small butterflies.

FloweringDrought-TolerantAromatic
Bristleleaf Pricklyleaf reference
Licensed reference(c) Laura Clark, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Autotrophic (photosynthetic)
Predators
  • Desert Cottontail
  • Grasshoppers
  • White-Tailed Deer
ThreatsHabitat conversion, intensive overgrazing, and herbicide runoff
HabitatsRocky limestone hills, caliche plains, desert grasslands, and dry roadsides
Life span1 year (annual or short-lived perennial)
Classification
  1. OrderAsterales
  2. FamilyAsteraceae
  3. GenusThymophylla
  4. SpeciesThymophylla tenuiloba
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Scent release: Gently brush the fine foliage with your fingertips to detect its sharp, pleasant lemon-oil scent.
  • Best viewing: Look for wide golden mats in sunny, well-drained caliche gravels between April and October.
Related species
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