Citation: Pers., Syn. Pl. 2:421 (1807).

Synonymy: G. mullicaule Willd., Sp. Pl. 3:1888 (1803), non Lam.; G. indicum sensu J. Black, Fl. S. Aust. 620 (1929), non L.; Helichrysum indicum sensu Jessop, A list of the Vascular Plants of South Australia edn 2:65 (1984), non Grierson. , Gnaphalium multicaule, Gnaphalium policaulon

Common name: Western cudweed.

Description:
Annual herb to 15 cm high, lacking stolons; stems several from the base, branched, erect to ascending, cobwebby to white-woolly; leaves all cauline, oblanceolate, attenuate at the base, obtuse to acute, 1-4.5 cm long, 2-9 mm wide, flat, straight, cobwebby and grey-green on both surfaces.

Capitula in terminal and subsessile axillary clusters aggregated to form a dense leafy panicle; capitular involucral bracts in c. 2 unequal series, to 2.7 mm long, acute, green near the base, straw-coloured and scarious above, the outer ones broadly ovate and woolly at the base, the inner ones linear and glabrous; female florets 80-130; corollas filiform, c. 1.4 mm long; bisexual florets 2-7.

Achenes obovoid-cylindric, c. 0.5 mm long, brown; pappus bristles 5-8, free, deciduous separately, c. 1.8 mm long, barbellate above.

Distribution:  Watercourses, stream banks and around waterholes. S.Aust.: LE, MU.   All mainland States.   Native to India and a widespread weed in warm climates. Conservation status: naturalised Flowering time: mainly July — Dec.

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