Common name: Capeweed, Cape Dandelion
Arctotheca calendula (L.) Levyns APNI*
Synonyms: Cryptostemma calendula (L.) Druce APNI*
Cryptostemma calendulacea (L.) R.Br. APNI*
Description: Stemless or short-stemmed succulent annual herb, to 30 cm high.
Leaves mostly basal, oblanceolate, lyrate-pinnatisect, 5–25 cm long, 2–6 cm wide, midrib prominent on lower surfaces, margins toothed, upper surface glabrous or pubescent, lower surface white-felted; upper leaves stem-clasping.
Peduncles erect, loosely tomentose, 8–25 cm long; heads hemispherical, 15 mm diam.; involucral bracts 4- or 5-seriate, broad-lanceolate, green, outer with ciliate apices, inner with obtuse scarious margins. Ligules 1.5–2.5 cm long, pale yellow, greenish or purplish below; disc florets dark.
Achenes oblong, c. 2 mm long, enveloped in brown wool; pappus 6–8 short lanceolate scales.
Distribution and occurrence: Widespread weed of cultivation and pastures. Native of S Afr.
NSW subdivisions: *NC, *CC, *SC, *NT, *CT, *ST, *NWS, *CWS, *SWS, *NWP, *SWP, *NFWP, *SFWP
Other Australian states: *Qld *Vic. *Tas. *W.A. *S.A. *N.T.
Text by L. Murray
Taxon concept: Flora of NSW 3 (1992)
APNI* Provides a link to the Australian Plant Name Index (hosted by the Australian National Botanic Gardens) for comprehensive bibliographic data
***The AVH map option provides a detailed interactive Australia wide distribution map drawn from collections held by all major Australian herbaria participating in the Australian Virtual Herbarium project.