Cyanthillium patulum (Aiton) H.Rob.

Robinson, H.E. (1990) Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington 103: 252

Spreading Fleabane

Annual with stiff erect stems, 12-45 cm. tall, striate, more or less pubescent, slightly branched.

Leaves mostly ovate-elliptic, cuneate at base, acute or obtuse, apiculate, subentire or obscurely toothed, villous dorsally, up to 6-12 x 2-5 cm wide, on petioles up to 2.5 cm long.

Inflorescence paniculate-corymbose, 40-100-flowered; flowers pinkish violet. Pappus white, the exterior row short, about 0.5 mm. long. Bracts of involucre lanceolate, puberulent, 4-5-seriate, 6-7 mm long; corollas slightly exserted, violet or rarely paler to white, 4-5 mm long; anthers and style-branches violet;

Achenes 1.25 mm. long, oblong, terete, slightly narrowed at the base, clothed with appressed white hairs.

Features not available.

Occurs in NT, rarely recorded. Altitudinal range near sea level. Found in coastal vine thickets on Melville Island.

Conyza patula Aiton., Hortus Kewensis 3: 184 (1789).  Vernonia patula (Aiton) Merr.,  Philippine Journal of Science 3(6): 439-440 (1908).