Flora of New Zealand Series

Biennial herb up to 1 m. tall; stem branched in inflorescential region, arising from stout taproot, ribbed, densely clad in stout bristles c. 2 mm. long, ∞ axis; the bristles shorter, finer and less dense on branches. Basal lvs up to 10 × 2 cm.; oblanceolate, cuneately narrowed to subamplexicaul base. Stem-lvs lanceolate-oblong, sessile by broad subamplexicaul base, diminishing to linear bracts of infl. Capitula few to many; sub-corymbosely arranged, on long hispid pedicels; 1-1·5 cm. long, 1 cm. diam. Outer phyll. 4-6 mm. long, linear, ± hispid, often bearing cottony wool. Inner phyll. erect, subequal, c. 8-10 mm. long, indumentum similar. Achenes 2.5-3 mm. long, narrow-oblong, compressed, abruptly narrowed to very short beak. Pappus-hairs unequal, up to 6 mm. long, slender, sparsely plumose with long slender hairs.

DIST.: N. "Formerly not uncommon in open places from the North Cape to the Upper Thames and Waikato, but now much scarcer." (Cheeseman Man. N.Z.

Fl. 1925, 1029). S. Foxhill, near Nelson, and Broken River Basin, T.F. Cheeseman. Now very local in its occurrences; doubtfully indigenous, first collected "on the sea coast, near the Bay of Islands, rare.(1834, R. Cunningham". FL. 8-12. FT. 10-2.