About Centromadia pungens (Hook. & Arn.) Greene
Centromadia pungens, commonly known as common spikeweed or common tarweed, is a species of North American plant that belongs to the Madieae tribe within the Asteraceae family. This species is native to northern Baja California and the western United States, specifically the states of California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Nevada, and Arizona. It is classified as a noxious weed in parts of the Pacific Northwest. Centromadia pungens is an herb that can grow up to 120 cm (47 in) tall. It produces clusters of many yellow flower heads, which contain both ray florets and disc florets. There are two recognized subspecies of this plant. Centromadia pungens subsp. laevis (D.D.Keck) B.G.Baldwin is found in Baja California and southern California. Centromadia pungens subsp. pungis occurs across most of the full species' native range.
