Sphaeranthus gallensis Sacleux

Compositae, H. Beentje, C. Jeffrey & D.J.N. Hind. Flora of Tropical East Africa. 2005

Morphology General Habit

Habit not described; herb at least 60 cm high, stems sparsely pilose and winged, the wings dentate, glandular.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves oblanceolate, 1.5–4.5 cm long, 0.5–2 cm wide, base cuneate and decurrent into the wings, margins dentate, apex acute and mucronate, sparsely pilose (especially on midrib and veins) and glandular.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Glomerules probably purplish, terminal, globose, 5–7 mm; peduncle 0.5–1.5 cm long, winged like the stems; receptacle globose; glomerule bracts hidden at anthesis, ovate, 1–1.5 mm long, acuminate; capitula slightly distinct in bud, with ± 6 bracts, these oblanceolate to spatulate, 1.8–2.2 mm long, obtuse or acute, pectinate in upper third, otherwise glabrous.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Florets

Florets:outer florets ± 14, filiform, tube 0.7–1.5 mm long, minutely dentate, style 1.3–1.6 mm long; inner florets 3–4, tube infundibuliform to a wide mouth, 1.4–1.8 mm long, lobes 0.3 mm long, anthers 0.9–1 mm long, style 2–2.2 mm long, undivided.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Achenes only seen in very immature stage, ± 0.3 mm long, stipe-like, glabrous.

Habitat

Patchy Acacia-Delonix-Commiphora bushland with dense herb cover, on sites prone to flooding; locally common; ± 100 m

Distribution

K1