*Acicarpha tribuloides A.L. de Jussieu. Madam Gorgon. Phen: May-Aug. Hab: On ship's ballast near old port-cities; probably no longer present. Dist: Native of South America (Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Argentina). The NC and SC records were both collected by Gerald McCarthy in 1888; though the localities are not specified, the likely sites (based on his itinerary and what is known of the species) are Wilmington (New Hanover County, NC) and Charleston (Charleston County, SC). Reports of Calycera balsamitifolia A. Richard (Kartesz 2015), or of C. sympaganthera (Ruiz & Pavon) Kuntze (Kartesz 2020) as occurring in NJ and PA are based on misidentified specimens of Acicarpha tribuloides.

Origin/Endemic status: South America

Other Comments: DeVore (1991) discusses ballast plants and the apparent failure of Acicarpha to naturalize in North America. This species has not been collected in our area (or North America) since 1888; it is here treated for historical interest and to increase the likelihood that it will be relocated, if it is indeed actually naturalized. Reports of Calycera as a ballast waif in NJ and PA are based on misidentified specimens of Acicarpha tribuloides.

Synonymy: = Fl7, K1, K3, K4, S, WH3, DeVore (1991); = n/a – C, Pa, RAB

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