Grey Copper-burr

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©Chris Lindorff CC2.5, Chris Lindorff CC2.5, Russel Best CC2.5, Russel Best CC2.5

Sclerolaena diacantha


Prostrate short-lived perennial to 30 cm high, with woody rootstock. Branches hairy, dense. Linear succulent leaves to 25 mm long. Flowers yellow. Tough thick-walled fruits to 4 mm with long hairy spines.


Details
Flora Type
Chenopods
Former Scientific Name
Bassia dicantha
Distinctive Features

Prostrate dense shrub to 30 cm, with succulent grey-green leaves.

Biology

Perennial but not very long-lived. Common widespread species occuring on heavier, sometimes slightly saline sandy loams. Valuable fodder species, especially in drought. Sheep will eat but prefer other species, but kangaroos do not find this species palatable.

Native Status
Native
Flowering Time

Fruits most of year

Taxonomy
Phylum
Tracheophyta (Vascular Plants)
Class
Magnoliopsida (Flowering Plants)
Order
Caryophyllales
Family
Chenopodiaceae
Genus
Sclerolaena
Species
diacantha

Ants collect the fruits, and thousands of seeds get discarded within their nests.


Interesting Facts
Similar Species

0

Native Status
Native