Flora of New Zealand Series

fireweed groundsel

Erect perennial herb, 40-100 cm tall. Stems sparsely to moderately hairy when young, soon almost or quite glabrous, branched above to form infl. Lower and mid cauline lvs sparsely hairy on upper surface and moderately to densely lanate on lower when young, becoming almost glabrous on upper surface but usually remaining hairy on lower, apetiolate, not lobed, linear to lanceolate, usually entire and involute, rarely remotely denticulate, acuminate, cuneate at base and sometimes with a few teeth, 60-120 × 3-8-(12) mm; venation pinnate. Uppermost lvs smaller. Capitula in dense panicles. Supplementary bracts (2)-5-7-(10), lanceolate, 1-2 mm long. Involucral bracts 9-13, narrow-oblong, glabrous, 3-4 mm long. Ray florets 5-6; ligules yellow, 3-5 mm long. Disc yellow. Achenes somewhat flattened, sparsely to moderately hairy, 1.2-1.4 mm long; pappus 5-6 mm long.

N.: vicinity of Waipoua and Whangarei (Northland).

N.S.W., Victoria, Tasmania 1975

Locally common in pasture.

FL Nov-Apr.