Citation: Ulbr., Natürl. Pflanzenfam. edn 2, 16c:534 (1934).

Synonymy: Bassia patenticuspis R. Anderson, Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W. 48:338 (1923). , Sclerolaena diacantha

Common name: Spearfruit copperburr, spear-fruit bassia.

Description:
Rounded perennial c. 20 cm high; branches pubescent with short curled cottony hairs; leaves linear to semiterete, 5-10 mm long, villous with simple hairs.

Flowers solitary, perianth shortly villous; stamens 5.

Fruiting perianth shortly and sparsely pilose; attachment oblique, circular or elliptic; tube shortly oblong, c. 1.5 mm high and wide, sometimes spreading at the base, adaxial surface concave, abaxial surface flat or convex; limb erect, c. 1 mm high; spines 2, laterally placed, ascending in nearly the same vertical plane, 4-7 mm long (rarely very reduced or absent); radicular tubercle very small and on the adaxial side of one of the spines; seed and radicle erect.

	Sclerolaena patenticuspis
Image source: pl. 11 in Jessop J.P. & Toelken H.R. (Ed.) 1986. Flora of South Australia (4th edn).

Distribution:  S.Aust.: NW, LE, NU, GT, FR, EA, EP, NL, MU, YP.   W.Aust.; N.T.; N.S.W.; Vic. Conservation status: native Flowering time: Flowers and/or fruits: probably all months, especially July — Oct.

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

Biology: No text

Taxonomic notes: A rather polymorphic species. Ising (1964) noted a form found principally in the Nullarbor Plain in which 1 or both spines were weakly developed, or were represented merely by small tubercles. In this variant the development of the spines is very variable even on the same plant.

Author: Not yet available