77 Species of Genus Packera

A Deep Dive into the World of Packera

I’ve always been fascinated by the diversity of the plant kingdom. The sheer variety of forms, colors, and adaptations never ceases to amaze me. Lately, I’ve been particularly drawn to the genus Packera, a group of plants in the Asteraceae family, more commonly known as ragworts or groundsels. These often-overlooked plants possess a unique beauty and ecological importance that I believe deserves more attention.

Understanding the Packera Genus

Packera is a relatively large genus, comprising around 75 species. These plants are primarily native to North and Central America, with a few species found in Eurasia. They typically inhabit a variety of habitats, including meadows, woodlands, and alpine regions.

One of the defining characteristics of Packera species is their inflorescence, which consists of clusters of small, daisy-like flower heads. These flower heads are usually yellow, but some species may exhibit orange or reddish hues. The leaves of Packera plants are often deeply lobed or divided, and they can vary significantly in shape and size depending on the species.

Notable Packera Species

The genus Packera boasts a diverse array of species, each with its own unique characteristics and ecological niche. Here are:

1. Packera actinella (Greene) W.A.Weber & Á.Löve
2. Packera anonyma (Alph.Wood) W.A.Weber & Á.Löve
3. Packera antennariifolia (Britton) W.A.Weber & Á.Löve
4. Packera aurea (L.) Á.Löve & D.Löve
5. Packera bellidifolia (Kunth) W.A.Weber & Á.Löve
6. Packera bernardina (Greene) W.A.Weber & Á.Löve
7. Packera bolanderi (A.Gray) W.A.Weber & Á.Löve
8. Packera breweri (Burtt Davy) W.A.Weber & Á.Löve
9. Packera cana (Hook.) W.A.Weber & Á.Löve
10. Packera candidissima (Greene) W.A.Weber & Á.Löve
11. Packera cardamine (Greene) W.A.Weber & Á.Löve
12. Packera castoreus (S.L.Welsh) Kartesz
13. Packera clevelandii (Greene) W.A.Weber & Á.Löve
14. Packera cliffordii (N.D.Atwood & S.L.Welsh) O’Kane
15. Packera coahuilensis (Greenm.) C.Jeffrey
16. Packera contermina (Greenm.) J.F.Bain
17. Packera crawfordii (Britton) A.M.Mahoney & R.R.Kowal
18. Packera crocata (Rydb.) W.A.Weber & Á.Löve
19. Packera cymbalaria (Pursh) W.A.Weber & Á.Löve
20. Packera cynthioides (Greene) W.A.Weber & Á.Löve
21. Packera debilis (Nutt.) W.A.Weber & Á.Löve
22. Packera dimorphophylla (Greene) W.A.Weber & Á.Löve
23. Packera dubia (Spreng.) Trock & Mabb.
24. Packera eurycephala (Torr. & A.Gray) W.A.Weber & Á.Löve
25. Packera fendleri (A.Gray) W.A.Weber & Á.Löve
26. Packera flettii (Wiegand) W.A.Weber & Á.Löve
27. Packera franciscana (Greene) W.A.Weber & Á.Löve
28. Packera ganderi (T.M.Barkley & R.M.Beauch.) W.A.Weber & Á.Löve
29. Packera glabella (Poir.) C.Jeffrey
30. Packera greenei (A.Gray) W.A.Weber & Á.Löve
31. Packera hartiana (A.Heller) W.A.Weber & Á.Löve
32. Packera hesperia (Greene) W.A.Weber & Á.Löve
33. Packera heterophylla (Fisch.) E.Wiebe
34. Packera hintoniorum (B.L.Turner) C.Jeffrey
35. Packera hyperborealis (Greenm.) Á.Löve & D.Löve
36. Packera indecora (Greene) Á.Löve & D.Löve
37. Packera insulae-regalis R.R.Kowal
38. Packera ionophylla (Greene) W.A.Weber & Á.Löve
39. Packera layneae (Greene) W.A.Weber & Á.Löve
40. Packera loratifolia (Greenm.) W.A.Weber & Á.Löve
41. Packera macounii (Greene) W.A.Weber & Á.Löve
42. Packera malmstenii (S.F.Blake ex Tidestr.) Kartesz
43. Packera mancosana Yeatts, B.Schneid. & Al Schneid.
44. Packera mancosiana Yeatts, B.Schneid. & Al Schneid.
45. Packera × memmingeri (Britton ex Small) Weakley
46. Packera millefolium (Torr. & A.Gray) W.A.Weber & Á.Löve
47. Packera millelobata (Rydb.) W.A.Weber & Á.Löve
48. Packera montereyana (S.Watson) C.Jeffrey
49. Packera moranii (T.M.Barkley) C.Jeffrey
50. Packera multilobata (Torr. & A.Gray) W.A.Weber & Á.Löve
51. Packera musiniensis (S.L.Welsh) Trock
52. Packera neomexicana (A.Gray) W.A.Weber & Á.Löve
53. Packera obovata (Willd.) W.A.Weber & Á.Löve
54. Packera ogotorukensis (Packer) Á.Löve & D.Löve
55. Packera pauciflora (Pursh) Á.Löve & D.Löve
56. Packera paupercula (Michx.) Á.Löve & D.Löve
57. Packera plattensis (Nutt.) W.A.Weber & Á.Löve
58. Packera porteri (Greene) C.Jeffrey
59. Packera pseudaurea (Rydb.) W.A.Weber & Á.Löve
60. Packera quebradensis (Greenm.) W.A.Weber & Á.Löve
61. Packera quercetorum (Greene) C.Jeffrey
62. Packera rosei (Greenm.) W.A.Weber & Á.Löve
63. Packera sanguisorbae (DC.) C.Jeffrey
64. Packera sanguisorboides (Rydb.) W.A.Weber & Á.Löve
65. Packera scalaris (Greene) C.Jeffrey
66. Packera schweinitziana (Nutt.) W.A.Weber & Á.Löve
67. Packera serpenticola Boufford, Kartesz, S.H.Shi & R.Zhou
68. Packera spellenbergii (T.M.Barkley) C.Jeffrey
69. Packera streptanthifolia (Greene) W.A.Weber & Á.Löve
70. Packera subnuda (DC.) Trock & T.M.Barkley
71. Packera tampicana (DC.) C.Jeffrey
72. Packera texensis O’Kennon & Trock
73. Packera thurberi (A.Gray) B.L.Turner
74. Packera toluccana (DC.) W.A.Weber & Á.Löve
75. Packera umbraculifera (S.Watson) W.A.Weber & Á.Löve
76. Packera werneriifolia (A.Gray) W.A.Weber & Á.Löve ex Trock
77. Packera zimapanica (Hemsl.) C.C.Freeman & T.M.Barkley

The Ecological Role of Packera

Packera species play a crucial role in their respective ecosystems. Their flowers provide a valuable source of nectar and pollen for a variety of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and moths. The seeds of Packera plants are also an important food source for birds and small mammals.

Furthermore, some Packera species have been traditionally used for medicinal purposes. For instance, Packera aurea was used by Native Americans to treat a variety of ailments, including skin conditions and respiratory problems.

Conservation Concerns

While many Packera species are relatively common, some are facing threats due to habitat loss and degradation. For example, Packera antennariifolia (Shale Barren Ragwort), a species endemic to the shale barrens of the eastern United States, is considered rare and vulnerable due to its restricted habitat.

Conservation efforts are crucial to ensure the continued survival of these valuable plants. Protecting and restoring their natural habitats, as well as raising awareness about their importance, are essential steps in preserving the diversity of the Packera genus.

My Personal Connection to Packera

My interest in Packera stems from a desire to understand the intricate relationships between plants and their environment. I am particularly intrigued by the adaptations that allow Packera species to thrive in a wide range of habitats, from harsh alpine conditions to lush meadows.

I believe that by studying and appreciating these often-overlooked plants, we can gain a deeper understanding of the natural world and our place within it. I encourage everyone to take a closer look at the Packera plants in their own local ecosystems and marvel at their resilience and beauty.