Species · GBIF taxon 3145377
Hayfield Tarweed
Hemizonia congestaAlso known as Congested Tarweed, White-flowered Tarweed, Hayfield Hemizonia
Hayfield tarweeds blanket dry valleys and grasslands of western North America with cheerful white or yellow daisy-like blooms during the hottest months of late summer and autumn. Their heavily glandular, sticky foliage emits a strong, resinous scent that deters herbivores while conserving precious moisture in arid soils. These tough annuals serve as a vital late-season nectar source for native bees and butterflies when most other wildflowers have withered.
Late-BloomingAromaticDrought-Tolerant
- diet
- Photosynthetic (Sunlight and Soil Nutrients)
- family
- Asteraceae
- threats
- Habitat loss, invasive non-native grasses, and agricultural development
- life Span
- One year (Annual)
LC
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
- Observe the glands: Use a hand lens to inspect the tiny, stalked glands covering the leaves and stems.
- Appreciate the scent: Gently brush against the plant to release its distinctive, turpentine-like herbal aroma.
- Check for insects: Look closely at the sticky stems for small insects trapped in the defensive resin.