Verbesina L.

1 species naturalized Aust.; Qld, NSW, Vic., NT, S.A.

*Verbesina encelioides (Cav.) A.Grayencelioides

Annual herb up to 60 cm high. Leaves alternate, up to 10 cm long, toothed to deeply lobed, with broad stem-clasping auricles. Heads solitary, on peduncles up to 25 cm long. Involucre broad-hemispherical, 2 cm diam.; bracts in 2 rows; the outer ones green. Ray florets female or sterile; rays yellow, 1–2 cm long, deeply 3-lobed. Cypselas flat, dark brown, 5–7 mm long. Pappus of 2 bristles, caducous. Weed in drier areas. Introd. from America. Fl. summer. Crownbeard