Wildlife Spotting

@Krista: I don't have access to a good scanner. Does anyone know of a source (herbarium, etc) I can contact to request help in identifying this plant?

I have one pressed into a book I had on me during the hike. I searched for any features that might be petals, but only saw what appeared to be sepals (calyx) and ovule. But not developed enough to be fruit. Hence my hypothesis that the flowers may have recently expired (petals gone), or that the flowers are tiny and inconspicuous, as well as brilliant red. Yes, leaves do resemble asteraceae. They were very, very few on the stalks, and either red or green. The group growing on the lava bed were red like the rest of the plant; those in the more forested grassland area had a few green leaves. The oddest, and most curious characteristic, is the growth habit of ringing the base of the trees in almost perfect circles. Which makes me suspect if they might be root parasites? I tried to take better macro shots of this plant, but the light was bright and intense (mid-day to middle-afternoon).