I like this paragraph from The Vascular Plants of the Gila Wilderness:
“Psacalium decompositum is a distinctive plant that apparently reaches its most northern distribution here in New Mexico and Arizona. The mainly basal leaves are highly dissected with linear ultimate segments, and are quite large. The inflorescence is scapose and two to three feet tall. Psacalium decompositum is found in openings in the Ponderosa Pine forest.” What they said!
By the way, in your favorite old flora or field guide this plant may be found under the genus Cacalia. Oh, and the botanists that changed the genus to Psacalium got some splainin’ to do about the meaning of that botanical.
Lastly, I know I mentioned it, but if your interests are in medicinal native plants then definitely check out Psacalium decompositum.
The photos are mine.
