Source:
SSA
Synonym(s):
Helipterum DC.: 211 (1838a) of other authors in part, name illegitimate; Harvey: 256 (1865).
Description:
Perennial herbs. Leaves alternate, sessile, tomentose to velutinous (hair type B), margins flat or slightly concave, entire. Capitula discoid, solitary or few together. Involucre campanulate or ellipsoid; involucral bracts in +/- 9 rows, small to large, outer usually oblong, with glumaceous appendage, sometimes with reflexed, acuminate, scarious apex and often woolly on back; inner bracts with glumaceous, usually coloured appendage (yellow, pink, white or brown), opaque; stereome divided or undivided. Receptacle epaleate, but with prominent fimbrils. Florets bisexual; corolla yellow; tube broadened above, usually with scattered glands and with 5 linear to lanceolate lobes. Anthers ecalcarate, caudate; apical appendage concave, as wide as thecae; endothecial tissue polarised. Style bifid; style branches truncate with obtuse sweeping hairs apically. Cypselas oblong, with globose, myxogenic hairs, epidermis smooth. Pappus of basally connate, generally plumose bristles.
Distribution:
Species 25; endemic to sthn Afr., Western and Eastern Cape.
Classification:
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