Ericameria linearifolia

*Ericameria linearifolia* (DC) Urbatsch & Wussow by Kimberly Hansen, Native Plants of Arizona 2009 Common names: Narrowleaf goldenbush (1), turpentine bush, narrowleaf goldenweed, slimleaf goldenbush (2), Narrowleaf Heathgoldenrod (3) Family: Asteraceae. Synonymy: Haplopappus linearifolius, Haplopappus linearifolius ssp. interior, Haplopappus linearifolius var. interior, Stenotopsis interior, Stenotopsis linearifolia var. interior, Stenotopsis linearifolia (1) Etymology: Ericameria comes from the Greek Erica ( Ereika ), "heath," and meris or meros for "division or part," referring to the heath-like leaves (4). Linearifolia means with narrow linear parallel-sided leaves (5). Identification Growth form: Shrub, 4-15 dm tall, glabrous to ± puberulent (6). Stem: Erect to spreading, green when young, erect, parallel branches clustered together, glabrous, resinous (7). Leaves: linear, acute; base narrowed, margins entire (2) Inflorescence/flowers: Primary inflorescence a composite head, each resembling a flower; head solitary, on a ± leafless peduncle, radiate with disc and ray flowers, on leafless peduncles; involucre 8-14 mm, 10-18 mm diameter, hemispheric; phyllaries in 2-3 series, linear to lanceolate, acuminate, stalked-glandular, center green, margin cut-ciliate, scabrous. Ray flowers 13-18; corollas 9-20 mm, generally yellow; Disk flowers many; corollas 6-10 mm, yellow (2) Fruit: A single-seeded achene, 5 mm long, compressed, 6–8-veined, densely silky-hairy; pappus of 5.5–7 mm white bristles (6). Similar species: E. linearifolia can be distinguished from all other Ericameria species by the size of the linear leaves (widest points less than 2.5 mm wide and 10-55 mm long) (8). Also the size of the involucre (8-14mm) and the presence of radiate heads are indicative (8). Ecology Life history: Perennial shrub (1). Native/introduced: Native (1). Phenology: Flowers March to May (6). Distribution: To 6562 feet (2) in rocky or sandy soils of mountainsides, dry creek beds, deserts, mesas and interior plains (7). In Arizona, E. linearifolia can be found in Mohave, Yavapai and Maricopa counties (1). Also, in California, Nevada and Utah (1). Uses: E. linearifolia is used as dermatological aid. It is applied by using a decoction of leaves and flowers applied to soreness, bruises, and cuts (3). A decoction of leaves and flowers is also used as an anitrheumatic and applied to limbs for rheumatism as well as to horses for sore backs (2). A decoction of the roots is used as a wash for tired feet or for hair to make it grow (2). References 1. USDA, NRCS. (2009). The PLANTS Database . Retrieved Sept. 17, 2009, from: http://plants.usda.gov 2. Southwest Environmental Information Network. Ericameria linearifolia in SEInet. Retrieved September 17, 2009 from: http://swbiodiversity.org/seinet/taxa/index.php?taxon=Ericameria%20linearifolia 3. Moerman, D. May 2003. Native American Ethnobotany Database (University of Michigan, Dearborn, MI 48198 USA. Retrieved September 18, 2009 from: http://herb.umd.umich.edu/herb/search.pl?searchstring=Ericameria+linearifolia 4. Charters, Michael L. California Plant Names: Latin and Greek Meanings and Derivations. Retrieved September 18, 2009 from: http://www.calflora.net/botanicalnames/pageE.html 5. Charters, Michael L. California Plant Names: Latin and Greek Meanings and Derivations. Retrieved September 18, 2009 from:http://www.calflora.net/botanicalnames/pageLH-LY.html 6. Jepson Herbarium, University of California, Berkeley. Retrieved September 18, 2009 from: http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?609,1081,1096 7. eFloras.org. 2009. Ericameria linearifolia in Flora of North America. Retrieved September 18, 2009 from: http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=250066524 8. Jepson Herbarium, University of California, Berkeley. Retrieved September 18, 2009 from: http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_key.pl?Ericameria .