Showy Goldeneye
Viguiera multiflora (Nutt.) S. F. Blake
Showy Goldeneye is a perennial from a short taproot or fibrous rootstock with several stems standing 1 to 4 feet tall. Golden yellow flower heads, resembling small sunflowers. All but the uppermost leaves are opposite on the stem. Leaves are broadly to narrowly lance-shaped, slightly toothed, and 1-3 inches long. Flower heads are borne at the ends of the branches Both ray and disk flowers are yellow, forming heads 1-1 1/2 inch broad. The black, hairless achenes are thick and angular in cross-section, lack bristles and scales at their tops, and are clasped by chaffy bracts as in a sunflower head. It flowers from the latter part of July to the first part of September. Very common along roadsides, in Aspen woodlands and dry open slopes, and mountains, well up toward timberline. On open, dry to moderately moist slopes, 900-3600 mountain elevations. Found in southern Idaho as far west as Power County.
Planting
Sow seed in spring in a greenhouse. When large enough to handle, prick the
seedlings out into individual pots and plant then out after the last expected
frosts.
