Senecio linearifolius, commonly known as fireweed groundsel,[2] is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. It is a small shrub with variable leaves, numerous heads of yellow flowers and grows in Tasmania, New South Wales and Victoria.
| Fireweed groundsel | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Asteraceae |
| Genus: | Senecio |
| Species: | S. linearifolius
|
| Binomial name | |
| Senecio linearifolius | |
Description
editSenecio linearifolius is a fragrant, sparse to shrubby perennial to about 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) high and stems with smooth, fine, downy white hairs. Leaves are variable, linear to egg-shaped, 5–20 cm (2.0–7.9 in) long, 3–50 mm (0.12–1.97 in) wide, usually sessile or with basal lobes, margins smooth, wavy or regularly toothed, lobed at the base or stem clasping. Both surfaces of the leaf are smooth and sparingly to thickly covered in downy white hairs.
Inflorescence
editThe inflorescence is a cluster of 20-200 flowers in a corymb about 4–15 cm (1.6–5.9 in) across. The individual flowers are in a grouping of 4–8 with a yellow centre. The fruit is a narrowly oblong-shaped cypsela, 1.5–2 mm (0.059–0.079 in) long, light coloured to reddish-brown, surface with scattered or bands of hairs. Flowering occurs mostly from November to March.[3][4]
Taxonomy and naming
editSenecio linearifolius was first formally described by Achille Richard and the description was published in Voyage de Decouvertes de l'Astrolabe. Botanique.[5][6] The specific epithet (linearifolius) means linear leaved.[7]
Distribution and habitat
editFireweed groundsel occurs in south-eastern Australia including Tasmania in moist habitats. In New South Wales it occurs mostly on the ranges south of Tenterfield and west to Nundle. In Victoria it is found in the Grampians, Brisbane Ranges, near Portland and Euroa.[3][4]
References
edit- ^ "Senecio linearifolius". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
- ^ Harden, Gwen. "Senecio linearifolius". PlantNET-NSW Flora online. Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
- ^ a b "Senecio linearifolius". VICFLORA-Flora of Victoria. Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
- ^ a b Wilson, Annette, ed. (2015). Flora of Australia-Volume 37-Asteraceae 1. Canberra: CSIRO-Department of Environment. p. 253. ISBN 9781486304165.
- ^ "Senecio linearifolius". Australian Plant Name Index. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
- ^ Richard, Achille (1834). Voyage de Decouvertes de l'Astrolabe. Botanique. Paris: J. Tatsu. p. 129.
- ^ Sharr, Francis Aubi; George, Alex (2019). Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings (3rd ed.). Kardinya, WA: Four Gables Press. p. 240. ISBN 9780958034180.