Sanchezia parvibracteata Sprague & Hutch.

Sprague, T.A. & Hutchinson, J. (1908) Bull. Misc. Inform. Kew 1908: 253. Type: Tropical America (Plant cultivated at Kew.).

Sanchezia

Usually flowers and fruits as a shrub about 1-2 m tall.

Twigs 4-angled. Leaf blades quite large, about 11-35 x 4.5-16 cm. Midrib broad, about 2 mm wide, yellow on the upper surface, midrib and petiole red/purple on the underside. Lateral veins curving but not forming loops inside the blade margin.

Inflorescence a spike of heads. Calyx about 23-25 mm long. Corolla tube about 53-54 mm long, lobes about 5-6 mm long, Stamens two, staminodes two, paired, not alternating. Staminal filaments about 50-60 mm long, flat, margins hairy, attached to the corolla tube about 12 mm from the base. Anther base sagittate. Anthers pubescent but the hairs at the base larger and more bristle-like. Staminodes about 26 mm long. Ovary and style glabrous, stigmatic lobes very unequal.

Features not available.

Features not available.

An introduced species originally from Cuba and South America now naturalised in NEQ. Altitudinal range from near sea level to 500 m. Grows in disturbed areas of lowland rain forest in the Babinda and Palmerston areas and also in the understory of intact rain forest.

Commonly grown in gardens as an ornamental shrub. This species has become a pest in rain forest at lower altitudes.