Common name: Showy Cassinia, Fireweed
Apalochlamys spectabilis (Labill.) J.H.Willis APNI* Synonyms: Calea spectabilis Labill. APNI* Cassinia spectabilis (Labill.) R.Br. APNI*
Description: Erect biennial herb, c. 1–2 m high, aromatic, with glandular and non-glandular hairs; stems unbranched above the base, white tomentose above.
Leaves lanceolate to oblong, usually 6–10 cm long, 15–25 mm wide, margins often ± crenate, base stem-clasping, lamina soft and prominently veined, upper surface green and glandular-pubescent, lower surface whitish tomentose.
Inflorescence pyramidal, 15–40 cm long, much-branched with drooping leafless branchlets; heads sessile, c. 4 mm long; involucral bracts golden-brown, glabrous. Florets 4–16; corolla 2.5–3 mm long, yellowish.
Achenes c. 0.7 mm long, cylindrical, 4–7 ribbed, glabrous, brown; pappus bristles 12–18, c. 2.5 mm long.
Flowering: summer–autumn.
Distribution and occurrence: Grow on dunes and sandy soils near the sea, often on disturbed sites; chiefly in the Cape Howell district.
NSW subdivisions: SC
Other Australian states: Vic. Tas. S.A.
Text by E. A. Brown Taxon concept: Flora of NSW 3 (1992)
APNI* Provides a link to the Australian Plant Name Index (hosted by the Australian National Botanic Gardens) for comprehensive bibliographic data ***The AVH map option provides a detailed interactive Australia wide distribution map drawn from collections held by all major Australian herbaria participating in the Australian Virtual Herbarium project.
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