Common name: Brilliant Sunray
Rhodanthe polygalifolia (DC.) Paul G.Wilson APNI* Synonyms: Helipterum polygalifolium DC. APNI*
Description: Erect to ascending annual branching at base, 15–30 cm high, glabrous, slightly glaucous.
Leaves absent below flower heads; narrow-oblong, 15–30 mm long, 1–3 mm wide, apex acute, upper surface with minute globose glands.
Heads solitary and terminal, 7–10 mm diam., involucre spreading from base, radiant, glabrous; outer involucral bracts rounded, pale brown; inner involucral bracts with yellow elliptic obtuse lamina 7–10 mm long. Florets numerous. Corollas c. 3.5 mm long, glabrous.
Achenes narrow-turbinate, c. 3 mm long, densely silky-pilose; pappus equal to corolla, persistent.
Flowering: spring.
Distribution and occurrence: Grows in mulga and bluebush communities on sandy to loamy red earths, west from Hay district.
NSW subdivisions: SWP, NFWP, SFWP
Other Australian states: Vic. S.A.
Text by Paul G. Wilson 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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