Wellton, AZ


Yuma, AZ

Palafoxia arida is a plant from the family Asteraceae also called the Sunflower family. It is native to the Desert regions of California and the SW United States in AZ, NV, CA, UT, Baja California and Sonora. It is an annual weed that grows erect and has rough hairs on the leaves, which are grayish green and narrow or linear. This plant can grow up to 6 ft has a main tap root. The flower heads are about 2-3 cm long with several (up to 40) tubular five lobed florets white to light pink color. Its habitat includes sandy plains, mesas, washes, dunes. 
 
We found this weed abundantly in our Yuma County Survey. The highest populations were found at the Yuma Mesa around fields. Also found in newly established alfalfa fields. Despite the fact that it prefers sandy soils we also detected Palafoxia all across the Yuma County from the Texas Hill area Wellton, Dome Valley to the San Luis Arizona border.  Please see Yuma County map below. 
The Arizona Vegetable IPM Team will be checking to see if this weed is a possible host for INSV (Inpatiens Necrotic Spot Virus).