Plectocephalus rothrockii
Formerly included in the genus Centaurea. Similar to Plectocephalus americanus but with more wavy projections on the phyllaries, and with the margins of the phyllaries & wavy projections dark brown rather than tan. P. rothrockii also occurs at higher elevations than P. americanus, in montane forest rather than at moist sites near playas & washes in desertscrub.
Flowering stems along New Mexico Highway 15 near Cherry Creek Campground, Pinos Altos Range, Grant County, New Mexico, 30 Aug 2009.
A pseudanthium along New Mexico Highway 15 near Cherry Creek Campground, 30 Aug 2009.
Side view of a pseudanthium, showing phyllaries; New Mexico Highway 15 near Cherry Creek Campground, 30 Aug 2009.
A split pseudanthium along New Mexico Highway 15 near Cherry Creek Campground, 30 Aug 2009.