About Microseris laciniata (Hook.) Sch.Bip.
Microseris laciniata (Hook.) Sch.Bip. is a perennial herb that grows up to one meter tall and has a branching stem. It produces numerous leaves that measure 10 to 50 centimeters long, with variable shapes and edges that may be smooth, toothed, or lobed. Its inflorescence grows on a tall peduncle that can be either erect or curving. When in bud, the flower head may be up to 3 centimeters long, and it opens wider during bloom, bearing up to 100 or more long yellow ray florets. The fruit is an achene with a gray or brown body a few millimeters long. At the tip of the achene body is a large pappus formed from 5 to over 20 long, hairy scales, each of which can exceed one centimeter in length. There are four recognized subspecies of Microseris laciniata. Members of the Mendocino Native American group used the bitter root of this plant for food. The plant's milky sap was left exposed to the sun and used as gum.
