Common name: Black Rolypoly
Sclerolaena muricata (Moq.) Domin APNI* 
Description: Hemispherical perennial, sometimes short-lived, to c. 1.5 m high; branches glabrous to hairy.
Leaves linear-lanceolate or obovate or oblanceolate, flattened, not succulent, to c. 20 mm long, glabrous to hairy.
Fruiting perianth 1–2.5 mm long, base oblique; spines 5, spreading, the 3 longest 4–10 mm long, the 2 shorter often fused at base. Fruit dispersed as branches break when the plant is blown as a unit after abscissing at ground level.
Distribution and occurrence: Widespread colonizing species, especially common on overgrazed or overstocked areas on heavier soilsand occasionally naturalized in coastal and Tableland districts.
NSW subdivisions: CC, CT, ST, NWS, CWS, SWS, NWP, SWP, NFWP, SFWP
Other Australian states: Qld Vic. N.T. S.A.
See also NSW WeedWise profile.
Text by S. W. L. Jacobs; edited by P. Lu-Irving (Nov 2024)
Taxon concept:
| | Key to the varieties | |
| 1 | Plant glabrous | var. muricata |
| Plant hairy | 2 |
| 2 | Leaves obovate to oblanceolate | var. semiglabra |
| Leaves linear-lanceolate
Back to 1 | var. villosa |
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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