SYMPHYOTRICHUM SQUAMATUM

Family:- COMPOSITAE

Common Names:- None

Synonyms:- Aster squamatus, Conyza squamata, Conyzanthus squamatus,

Symphyotrichum subulatum var. squamatum,

Meaning:- Symphyotrichum (Gr) With hairs growing together.

Squamatum (L) With small scale-like leaves or bracts.

General description:- Annual or biennial.

Stems:-

1) 30-100 cm, erect or ascending, glabrous.

Leaves:-

1) Mostly linear or linear-lanceolate, entire.

Flowers:-

1) Capitula, more than 10, in symmetrical panicles.

2) Involucral bracts, in 3 rows, oblong to oblanceolate, tapered near the purplish,

serrulate apex to an acute or mucronate point, appressed, the longest 5-6

mm.appressed, the longest 5-6 mm.

3) Ligules, violet-blue, about as long as the pappus, more numerous than the

tubular florets.

Fruit:-

1) Achenes oblong, usually compressed, more or less hairy and often glandular.

2) Pappus-hairs scabrid, whitish to yellowish or reddish, often unequal, in 1-2

indistinct rows.

Key features:-

1) Capitula more than 10.

2) Ligules about as long as the pappus.

Click here for a glossary of terms used.

Habitat:- Mainly coastal saline and sandy flats, occasionally roadsides, gardens

and ruderal habitats some distance inland, up to 700 m.

Distribution:- Scattered localities from Spain to Greece. Widespread and common

on Crete. Introduced (South America).

Flowering time:- (July-)Sept-Oct.

Photos by:- Steve Lenton