Comaclinium montanum

Native from Chiapas in southern Mexico through Central America to Panama, it is an upright, aromatic perennial herb. It occurs in thickets and pastures, and Costa Rican plants are described as growing about three feet tall or less. Its opposite leaves are oval to lance-shaped, with toothed or deeply cut edges and small bristlelike lobes near their bases. Flower heads stand singly on long stalks bearing small bracts. Orange ray florets surround numerous narrow, tubular disk florets. The small, dry fruits are covered with silky hairs and carry a crown of finely divided scales. Photographed in Panama.