About Rafinesquia californica Nutt.
Rafinesquia californica Nutt. is a species of flowering plant in the Asteraceae family, commonly called California chicory and California plumeseed. It has the appearance of a weedy daisy, and produces flower heads with elegant white petals. The undersides of the flower ligules are often striped with lavender or pink; this feature is most visible when the flower heads are closed. Each of its fruits has a pappus made up of stiff white or light brown hairs. This species is one of the first plants to sprout in areas that have recently been cleared by fire. In fact, its seeds germinate more easily when burned wood is present. It is native to most of the southwestern United States, ranging as far north as Oregon, and to Baja California, Mexico.
