The first flower is Hopi Tea Greenthread (Thelesperma megapotamicum).
This plant is fairly large as Thelesperma go and I thought, originally, that this was some well-fed version of Thelsperma filifolium which also occurs in this area. However, closer examination of the flowers shows the disk florets are all that this species produces.

Above is an example of Thelesperma filifolium known as Greenthread. You can compare it to T. megapotamicum and see they are kinfolk. Note the bracts beneath the closed flowers and the way they “nod” in both species. Also, T. filifolium has the pretty ray florets that form the petals and the typical “daisy” flower plan we are all familiar with.

The next weird daisy is Hymenopappus filifolius cinereus also known as Fineleaf Woolly White. Again, we have an atypical flower lacking any ray florets to match our daisy expectation. The disk flowers of this species can be yellow or white. The projections above the surface of the flower head visible in this image are the ends of the pistils of each floret in the compound flower head. Like Hopi Tea Greenthread, this species produces large (3 or more feet tall) robust plants under the right conditions.

This last image shows the “woolly white” fuzziness on the stems for which these plants are named. Also, note the deep lobing of the leaves on this plant which is a helpful identifying characteristic.

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Thelesperma filifolium is the wildflower pictured here. It is a common roadside flower in many parts of Texas. The flowers pictured here show central disk flowers and 8 rayflowers which form the notched yellow petals. As you might have guessed, this plant in another Asteraceae family member. Greenthread flowers feed lots of different kinds of insects including honeybees. If you look closely, a pollen covered honeybee is in the central flower above.

Notice the unopened flowers in this picture and the green spike-shaped sepals beneath the flower bud. This character along with the very narrow leaves help distinguish this species from all the other yellow daisies you will encounter.

In the second picture, you can see the nodding flower buds and the thread-like leaves for which this plant is named. Their flowers are large, measuring 1.5 inches or more in diameter. They are generally found in clusters where conditions are favorable and sometimes you can find a field full of them. Their butter yellow color and brown disks are a beautiful springtime treat.

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