Helichrysum nitens Oliv. & Hiern
subsp. nitens

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Helichrysum nitens subsp. nitens

Photo: Bart Wursten
Ndundu Lodge, Vumba

Helichrysum nitens subsp. nitens

Photo: Bart Wursten
Ndundu Lodge, Vumba

Helichrysum nitens subsp. nitens

Photo: Bart Wursten
Plateau below Nhandore peak, Mt Gorongosa

Helichrysum nitens subsp. nitens

Photo: Bart Wursten
Plateau below Nhandore peak, Mt Gorongosa

Helichrysum nitens subsp. nitens

Photo: Stefaan Dondeyne
Plateau of Muvumodzi headwaters, Chimanimani Mts

Helichrysum nitens subsp. nitens

Photo: Stefaan Dondeyne
Plateau of Muvumodzi headwaters, Chimanimani Mts

Helichrysum nitens subsp. nitens

Photo: Stefaan Dondeyne
Upper Nhamadzi basin, Chimanimani Mts

Helichrysum nitens subsp. nitens

Photo: Bart Wursten
Ridge on Mt Shangani, eastern Chimanimani Mts, Mozambique.

Helichrysum nitens subsp. nitens

Photo: Bart Wursten
Along path to Mt Binga above Nhamadzi River crossing, Chimanimani National Reserve

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Species details: Click on each item to see an explanation of that item (Note: opens a new window)

Synonyms:
Common names:
Frequency: Common in suitable habitats.
Status: Native
Description:
Stout greyish herb with a basal rosette of leaves and a single stem up to c. 80 cm high, branched above. Leaves sessile and clasping the stem, ovate-lanceolate, up to 20 cm long, rarely longer, densely covered in grey or whitish hairs on both surfaces, indumentum sometimes pealing off; some smaller leaves widely spaced along the stem. Capitula 15-23 mmlong, terminal on the branches, together forming a lax, cmose inflorescence. Involucral bracts 5-seriate, ovate-lanceolate, 5-17 mm long, shiny yellow, sometimes bronze-tinged. Florets yellow.
Notes: Dried but still colourful flowerheads can often still be seen for months after the actual flowering time.
This species appears to be particularly common in the Vumba.
Derivation of specific name: nitens: glossy, shining
Habitat: In (sub)montane grassland, often among rocks.
Altitude range: (metres) 1140 - 2200 m
Flowering time:Mar - Oct
Worldwide distribution: Angola, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe distribution: C,E,S
Growth form(s):
Endemic status:
Red data list status:
Insects associated with this species:
Spot characters: Display spot characters for this species
Images last updated: Tuesday 25 July 2006
Literature:

Baumann, G. (2005). Photographic Guide to Wildflowers of Malawi Wildlife and Environmental Society of Malawi Pages 184 - 185. (Includes a picture).

Beentje, H.J. (ed.) (2002). Compositae (Part 2) Flora of Tropical East Africa Page 433.

Burrows, J.E. & Willis, C.K. (eds) (2005). Plants of the Nyika Plateau Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 31 SABONET, Pretoria Page 98.

Chapano, C. & Mamuto, M. (2003). Plants of the Chimanimani District National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, Zimbabwe Page 30. As Helichrysum nitens

Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 26.

Plowes, D.C.H. & Drummond, R.B. (1990). Wild Flowers of Zimbabwe. Revised edition. Longman, Zimbabwe. No. 146, plate 189

Strugnell, A.M. (2006). A Checklist of the Spermatophytes of Mount Mulanje, Malawi Scripta Botanica Belgica 34 National Botanic Garden of Belgium Page 55.

Wild, H. (Undated, c. 1980?). A draft revision of Helichrysum Mill. for Flora Zambesiaca Unpublished ms. Pages 103 - 105.

Wursten, B., Timberlake, J. & Darbyshire, I. (2017). The Chimanimani Mountains: an updated checklist. Kirkia 19(1) Page 89.


Other sources of information about Helichrysum nitens subsp. nitens:

Our websites:

Flora of Malawi: Helichrysum nitens subsp. nitens
Flora of Mozambique: Helichrysum nitens subsp. nitens

External websites:

African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Helichrysum nitens
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Helichrysum nitens
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Helichrysum nitens
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Helichrysum nitens
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
iNaturalist: Helichrysum nitens
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Helichrysum nitens
JSTOR Plant Science: Helichrysum nitens
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Helichrysum nitens
Plants of the World Online: Helichrysum nitens
Tropicos: Helichrysum nitens
Wikipedia: Helichrysum nitens


Copyright: Mark Hyde, Bart Wursten, Petra Ballings and Meg Coates Palgrave, 2002-24

Hyde, M.A., Wursten, B.T., Ballings, P. & Coates Palgrave, M. (2024). Flora of Zimbabwe: Species information: Helichrysum nitens subsp. nitens.
https://www.zimbabweflora.co.zw/speciesdata/species.php?species_id=159750, retrieved 28 March 2024

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