Vernonia acaulis

Plants 4–6(–10) dm. Stems ± puberulent, glabrescent. Leaves mostly basal; blades oblong-elliptic to spatulate (basal, the distal narrower), 11–25(–30) cm × (21–)60–75+ mm, l/w = 2–4(–5+), abaxially usually glabrous or glabrate, sometimes hirsutulous on veins, usually resin-gland-dotted, adaxially ± scabrellous or glabrate. Heads in loose, corymbiform arrays. Peduncles 5–50 mm. Involucres campanulate to hemispheric, 5–10 × 6–7 mm. Phyllaries 40–60 in 5–6 series, glabrate, margins ciliolate, the outer lance-linear, 2–4 mm, inner lance-ovate to lance-subulate, 5–9 mm, tips subulate to filiform. Florets 30–40(–55+). Cypselae 2.5–3+ mm; pappi whitish to stramineous, outer scales ca. 20, 0.6–1 mm, contrasting with 25–40, 5–7+ mm inner bristles. 2n = 34.

Phenology: Flowering Jul–Aug.
Habitat: Open woods, pine savannas, bogs, disturbed places
Elevation: 10–300 m

Fla., Ga., N.C., S.C.

Discussion

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa