baselinehazardia

Baselinehazardia is a fictional genus of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae, used in speculative taxonomic discussions as a baseline model for comparative studies within the Hazardia lineage. It is not recognized by major botanical databases or formal taxonomic descriptions, and it does not appear in official catalogues such as IPNI or Tropicos.

Taxonomy and description: Baselinehazardia is described in illustrative accounts as a monotypic genus with the sole species Baselinehazardia basifolia. The imagined morphology includes a perennial evergreen shrub up to about 1–2 meters tall, with simple, narrowly oblong leaves arranged alternately. The inflorescences are capitula typical of Asteraceae, comprising yellow ray florets surrounding a central cluster of disc florets. The fruit is depicted as a single-seeded achene with a bristled pappus that facilitates wind dispersal.

Distribution and habitat: In the hypothetical treatment, Baselinehazardia basifolia is said to be native to arid, rocky basalts of the western United States, often occupying basalt outcrops with well-drained soils. Flowering is described as occurring in late spring to early summer, with pollination attributed to generalist insects.

Etymology and status: The name Baselinehazardia blends the notion of a baseline or reference with Hazardia, a real genus in Asteraceae. As an illustrative concept, Baselinehazardia is not considered an accepted taxon by major flora databases and is used mainly for teaching or as a placeholder in hypothetical discussions. For real taxonomy, see Hazardia and related Asteraceae genera.