Source:
SSA
Synonym(s):
Comptonanthus B.Nord.: 54 (1964).
Description:
Annual herbs with ericoid habit. Leaves alternate, sessile, often adaxially concave, tomentose on adaxial surface only (hair type B), eglandular; margin involute, entire. Capitula disciform, few together along axis. Involucralbracts papery, brownish, transparent, glabrous; stereome divided. Receptacle flat, epaleate. Marginalflorets female, purple, filiform, pistillate, more than disc florets. Discflorets bisexual or rarely functionally male; corolla yellow, tube cylindric, lobes erect. Anthers ecalcarate, shortly tailed at base; apical appendage flat, as wide as thecae; endothecial tissue radial. Style bifid; style branches truncate with obtuse sweeping hairs apically; stigmatic surfaces separated. Cypselas small, oblong, with globose, myxogenic twin hairs; epidermis smooth. Pappus: 1 row of free, apically plumose, capillary bristles, basally with patent cilia. x = 7.
Distribution:
Species 6, mostly Africa, north to the Middle East, spreading to Canary Islands; 4 in sthn Afr., widespread but absent from Botswana, Northern Province, Mpumalanga, Swaziland and KwaZulu-Natal.
Classification:
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