About Anisocoma acaulis Torr. & A.Gray
Anisocoma acaulis, commonly known as scale bud, is a wildflower and the only known member of the genus Anisocoma. It is found in the Mojave Desert, Colorado Desert, and California's Owens Valley, across Arizona, Nevada, California, Baja California, and Sonora, growing at elevations from 610 metres (2,000 ft) up to around 2,100 metres (7,000 ft). This plant forms a flat mat of jagged lobed leaves that lie on the ground. It sends up stalks up to 20 centimetres (8 inches) tall topped with flowers that bloom from April to June. Flowers may be yellow or white with yellow centers. The frilly ray florets are rectangular, with flat or slightly toothed tips. Scale bud grows in colonies in sandy areas and washes, and oozes milky sap when cut. Its common name refers to the scaly appearance of its closed flower bud.
