About Malacothrix sonchoides (Nutt.) Torr. & A.Gray
Malacothrix sonchoides is a species of flowering plant in the aster family. It has two common names: sowthistle desertdandelion and yellow saucers. This plant is native to most of the western United States, where it grows on sandy substrates in habitats including Joshua tree woodland, grassland, creosote bush scrub, and ephedra-blackbrush communities. It is an annual herb that grows one or more hairless, branching stems. These stems typically reach around 25 centimeters in height, and may occasionally grow as tall as 50 centimeters. The plant’s fleshy lower leaves have several lobes, while its upper leaves are smaller and have a simpler shape. Each of its flower heads holds up to 115 bright yellow florets, each of which is just over one centimeter long.
