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Synonyms: |
Spilanthes radicans Jacq. |
Common names: | White spot-flower (English) |
Frequency: | Rare |
Status: | Introduced and naturalised |
Description: |
Annual herb 6-30 cm tall (exceptionally to 2.8 m tall per Ian Riddell); stems erect to ascending, rarely rooting at the nodes, green to purple, glabrous to pilose. Leaves ovate to narrowly ovate, 1-8 cm long, 1-5 cm wide, base attenuate, margins denticulate to dentate, apex acute, glabrous to sparsely pilose, and with hispid margins, petiole 4-37 mm long. Capitula solitary or in groups of 2-3, long-stalked, elongate-conical, discoid, 6-11 mm long, 5-9 mm in diameter; phyllaries 6-9, 2-seriate, 4-7 mm long. Disc florets many, greenish white or white, 1.6-2 mm long. Achenes black, 2-2.7 mm long, ciliate; pappus of 2-3 unequal bristles 0.4-1.6 mm long. |
Notes: | First recorded in Harare in the National Botanic Garden in May 2013. It has since been found in various parts of the city with increasing frequency from 2017 onwards, but so far (2022) only known in Zimbabwe from Harare and Victoria Falls. |
Derivation of specific name: | radicans: rooting at the nodes. |
Habitat: | in disturbed ground and areas of former cultivation, often on roadside verges. |
Altitude range: (metres) | |
Flowering time: | Fl. Apr-Jul |
Worldwide distribution: | Native of Central and South America, becoming a widespread weed. |
Zimbabwe distribution: | W,C |
Growth form(s): | |
Endemic status: | |
Red data list status: | |
Insects associated with this species: | |
Spot characters: | Display spot characters for this species |
Literature: |
Beentje, H.J. & Ghazanfar, S.A. (eds.) (2005). Compositae (Part 3) Flora of Tropical East Africa Page 733. Jansen, R.K. (1985). Acmella radicans (Jacq.) Syst. Bot. Monogr. 8 (69) |
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