Citation: L., Sp. Pl. 927 (1753).

Synonymy: Sphaeranthus hirtus

Common name: None

Description:
Annual herb to 45 cm high; stems several, erect, pubescent, with prominent toothed wings 1-4 mm wide, woody at the base; leaves oblanceolate to lanceolate, subamplexicaul, obtuse to acute, 1.5-6 cm long, 5-25 mm wide, irregularly acuminate-dentate, prominently veined, green and pubescent on both surfaces.

Inflorescences globular, pedunculate, 1-1.5 cm diam.; common receptacle ovoid; involucres c. 4 mm long; bracts 10-14, c. 2-seriate, narrowly elliptic, c. 3 mm long, the inner ones glandular with fringed hairy long-acuminate purplish apices; female florets 6-10; corollas c. 2 mm long, glandular, funnel-shaped, the upper half becoming deflexed.

Achenes 1-1.5 mm long, 4- or 5-ribbed, brown; bisexual florets 2 or 3; corollas 2-2.5 mm long, pink, dilated basally; achenes abortive, with the persistent corolla base.

Distribution:  Edges of streams and watercourses and temporarily flooded ground. S.Aust.: LE.   W.Aust.; N.T.; Qld.   Old World tropics. Conservation status: native Flowering time: June — Oct.

SA Distribution Map based on current data relating to specimens held in the State Herbarium of South Australia

Biology: No text

Author: Not yet available