Xerochrysum

Annuals, biennials, or perennials, 20–90+ cm; taprooted (rhizomatous, not stoloniferous). Stems usually 1, erect (rarely 1–2 or more times branched; usually arachnose and ± stipitate-glandular). Leaves cauline; alternate; sessile (or nearly so); blades elliptic or spatulate to oblanceolate, lanceolate, or linear, bases cuneate, margins entire, faces concolor, usually arachnose and ± stipitate-glandular. Heads disciform, borne singly or (2–3) in loose, corymbiform arrays. Involucres ± hemispheric, 10–30 mm. Phyllaries in 3–8+ series, usually yellow or brown to purple, sometimes white or pinkish (opaque, stereomes not glandular), unequal, usually chartaceous toward tips (spreading at flowering, deflexed in age). Receptacles flat, glabrous, epaleate. Peripheral (pistillate) florets (0–)25–50 (fewer than bisexual); corollas yellow. Inner (bisexual) florets 200–400; corollas yellow (lobes erect). Cypselae columnar to ± prismatic (4-angled), faces smooth, glabrous; pappi readily falling, of 25–35+, distinct or loosely basally ± coherent, subplumose to barbellate bristles in 1 series (falling separately or in groups or rings). x = 12, 13, 14, 15.

Distribution

Australia, cultivated and escaping in many areas elsewhere.

Discussion

Species 6 (1 in the flora).

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

Xerochrysum bracteatum