Citation: Gaudich., Voy. aut. Monde (Bot.) 12:466 (1830).

Synonymy: Schoenia cassiniana (Gaudich.)Steetz in Lehm., Pl. Preiss. 1:481 (1845).

Common name: Schoenia.

Description:
Annual herb 7-40 cm tall with several ascending stems; stems moderately to densely scabrous with coarse septate glandular and non-glandular hairs; leaves chiefly cauline but larger and more numerous towards stem bases, mostly opposite, linear-lanceolate, rarely narrowly oblanceolate, flat, with an acute to apiculate apex and a cuneate broadly sessile base, 1.5-12 cm long, 2-15 mm wide, moderately to densely scabrous on both sides with septate mostly non-glandular hairs.

Capitula with peduncles 10-30 mm long, usually 5-10 in corymbs terminating each stem, cylindrical-campanulate, 8-10 mm long, 5-6 mm broad (excluding the laminae); involucral bracts 5- or 6-seriate, the inner ones longest; inner bracts c. 10, in 2 series, with opaque white to deep-pink scarious narrowly oblong-elliptic patent laminae 8-10 mm long, and firm yellow-brown subherbaceous claws half their total length with broad almost colourless hyaline margins; florets all bisexual, 14-32, of which 4-6 outer ones are fertile.

Achenes ellipsoid, compressed, a very dark grey, coarsely silky with antrorse pale stramineous hairs; pappus bristles finely barbellate, stramineous, of fertile florets 25-31 and sometimes pink, of sterile florets 19-28 but always fewer than on the fertile florets.

Published illustration: Erickson et al. (1973) Flowers and plants of Western Australia, fig. 457.

Distribution:  Occurs in sandy soil on open plains in mulga woodland and in sand dune areas, sometimes in extensive populations.   W.Aust.; N.T. Conservation status: native Flowering time: July — Oct.

SA Distribution Map based on current data relating to specimens held in the State Herbarium of South Australia

Biology: No text

Author: Not yet available