Erect herbs to c. 0.4 m high, not or slightly leafier in lower 1/3 at anthesis. Taproot well-developed; secondary roots hardly fleshy. Stems sparsely to moderately cottony basally, reducing to ± glabrous upwards. Leaves 5–10 cm long, with l:w ratio c. 6–15, undivided or lobate, with 1–3 triangular lobes per side; base attenuate or uppermost leaves with small projections; margin ± entire or with scattered teeth; upper surface sparsely hispid or nearly glabrous; lower surface sparsely hispid, reducing to cobwebby upwards. Capitula numerous per stem; calycular bracteoles 4–6, 1–3 mm long; peduncle and calyculus not cobwebby at anthesis; involucre 6–8 mm long, 2–2.5 mm diam.; bracts 12–14 (–18), glabrous. Florets 50–80. Achenes bottle-shaped, 2.5–4 mm long, reddish, brown or green, with papillose hairs in lines; l:w ratio of hairs c. 1–2. Pappus 5.5–6.5 mm long.
Grows in a wide range of soil types, in cleared land, grassland, shrubland and woodland, at low altitudes in semiarid climates.
Home