Berkheya sphaerocephala (Dc.) Roessler

Species

Angiosperms > Asterales > Asteraceae > Berkheya

Characteristics

Herba perennis erecta, cr. 40-120 cm alta. Caulis in parte superiore ramosus, pilis hyalinis glanduliferis ± dense vel sparse obtectus et ceterum imprimis superne ± araneosus vel leviter araneosi-tomentosus, foliatus et partibus supremis exceptis alatus. Folia alterna, basalia verisimiliter ± conferta, caulina ihferiora sessilia, ambitu oblonga, cr. 6-15 cm longa, 2-4 cm lata, irregulariter pinnatilobata (vel fere pinnatifida) lobis ambitu semiorbicularibus vel irregularibus sinuati-dentatis dentibus in spinas fulvas 2-5 mm longas excurrentibus, in interstitiis et in sinubus spinis brevioribus dense ciliata, supra spinis usque ad cr. 1.5 mm longis obtecta, subtus pilis glanduliferis partim hyalinis ± dense vel sparse obtecta, ± glabrescentia, ceterum interdum leviter araneosa; sequentia sensim minora, minus lobata et denique subintegerrima, linearia, bracteiformia, omnia caulina (supremis exceptis) decurrentia in alas 3-8 mm latas ut folia spinosi-dentati-lobatas. Capitula in apicibus ramorum in inflorescentiam subpaniculatam vel subcorymbiformem disposita, discoidea, 1.5-2.5 cm diam. Involucri squamae patentes, exteriores extus levissime araneosi-tomentosae et ceterum pilis glanduliferis sparsis obsitae, ceterae subglabrae vel glabrae, lineares, 0.5-1 mm latae, spinosi-acuminatae, exteriores et mediae margine spinis 1-2 mm longis saepe geminatis in 2-3 iugis dispositis et ceterum interdum singulis spinis minoribus obsitae, interiores sensim minus spinosae et denique inermes, brevissime denticulatae, mediae 5-7 mm longae, ceterae breviores. Margines alveolarum receptaculi in setas stramineas 5-10 mm Iongas productae. Achaenia 1.5-2.5 mm longa, glabra. Pappi squamae in cylindrum 0.8-1 mm longum apice irregulariter denticulatum connatae vel partim irregulariter laceratae.
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A perennial herb up to 1.2 m tall, stems simple below, branching above into the compound inflorescence, glandular-pubescent, sometimes cobwebby, winged, leafy. Leaves up to 15 x 4 cm, oblong in outline, sinuate or pinnatifid, lobes more or less rounded in outline, irregularly toothed, teeth spine-tipped, margins ciliate-spinescent, sessile, clasping, decurrent on the stem in broad, toothed spiny wings, upper surface beset with short stiff spines, lower glandular-pubescent, sometimes cobwebby. Heads discoid, 1.5-2.5 cm across, many in a corymbose panicle. Involucral bracts linear, up to 1 mm broad, margins and tip spiny, cobwebby on the back or glabrous. Flowers yellow. Achenes 1.5-2.5 mm long, turbinate, glabrous. Pappus scales c. 1 mm long, obtuse.
Perennial herb, 0.4-1.2 m high; stems simple below, branching above into compound inflorescence, glandular-pubescent, sometimes cobwebby, winged, leafy. Leaves oblong in outline, sinuate or pinnatifid, irregularly toothed, teeth spine-tipped, margins ciliate-spinescent; sessile, clasping, decurrent on the stem in broad, toothed spiny wings, upper surface beset with short stiff spines, lower surface glandular-pubescent, sometimes cobwebby. Capitula discoid, many in corymbose panicle; involucral bracts linear, margins and tip spiny, cobwebby on the back or glabrous. Florets yellow. Flowering time Jan., Feb. Pappus of obtuse scales. Cypselae turbinate, glabrous.
Life form perennial
Growth form herb
Growth support free-standing
Foliage retention -
Sexuality hermaphrodite
Pollination -
Spread -
Mature width (meter) -
Mature height (meter) 0.8 - 1.2
Root system -
Rooting depth (meter) -
Root diameter (meter) -
Flower color
Blooming months -
Fruit color -
Fruiting months -
Nitrogen fixer -
Photosynthetic pathway -

Environment

Light -
Soil humidity -
Soil texture 7-8
Soil acidity -
Soil nutriment -
Hardiness (USDA) 9-11

Usage

Uses -
Edible -
Therapeutic use -
Human toxicity -
Animal toxicity -

Cultivation

Mode -
Germination duration (days) -
Germination temperacture (C°) -
Germination luminosity -
Germination treatment -
Minimum temperature (C°) -
Optimum temperature (C°) -
Size -
Vigor -
Productivity -

Distribution

Berkheya sphaerocephala world distribution map, present in South Africa

Identifiers

LSID urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:184633-1
WFO ID wfo-0000015978
COL ID 5WJSR
BDTFX ID -
INPN ID -
Wikipedia (EN)
Wikipedia (FR)

Synonyms

Stobaea sphaerocephala Crocodilodes sphaerocephala Berkheya sphaerocephala