Description: Annual to perennial herbs with a taproot; stems terete, robust, usually solitary, simple or sparsely branched.
Leaves basal and cauline, alternate, pinnatisect, parallel-veined, sessile.
Heads pedunculate, solitary or few in a loosely branched terminal inflorescence, cylindrical to spreading; involucral bracts in several rows, narrow-lanceolate, free, outer shorter, reflexed in fruit; receptacle convex, naked, pitted. Florets all ligulate, bisexual, fertile.
Achenes usually cylindrical, glabrous, with smooth ribs; with a pale hollow tubular base about a quarter to a third as long as achene body, often swollen thus achene appearing beak-like; pappus of several rows of hairs, usually plumose.
Distribution and occurrence: World: c. 12 species, Mediterranean region to western Asia. Australia: 1 species (naturalised), NSW, Vic., SA, Tas.
Text by L. Murray
Taxon concept:
| One species in NSW: Scorzonera laciniata |
|
