Sclerolaena birchii
(F.Muell.) Domin Galvanized BurrRather dense, widely branched, greyish shrub to c. 1 m high and 1 m diam., branches densely covered in fine cottony hairs. Leaves ascending, obovate, 5–15 mm long, 3–6 mm wide, obtuse to broadly acute, densely silky-pubescent. Fruiting perianth hard, woolly; tube turbinate, 1.5–2.5 mm long and wide, obliquely attached, persisting on stem; limb conical, very shortly exserted above spine-bases; spines 5, divergent, the 3 abaxial spines 6–15 mm long (or 1 shorter), the 2 adaxial 1–2 mm long, all pubescent at base and/or minutely tuberculate from persistent hair-bases.
MuM, Wim, VRiv, Gold. Also NT, SA, Qld, NSW. Recorded only 4 times in Victoria, all post-1950 (from grazing land at Yarraberb north-west of Bendigo, Thoona near Wangaratta, Barjarg near Mansfield and near Mitiamo where noted to be spreading post 2000). Doubtfully indigenous in the State. Stems with adherent seed are carried in wool and occasional infestations of the species in pasture are known in Queensland and New South Wales.
Walsh, N.G. (1996). Chenopodiaceae. In: Walsh, N.G.; Entwisle, T.J., Flora of Victoria Vol. 3, Dicotyledons Winteraceae to Myrtaceae, pp. 129–199. Inkata Press, Melbourne.
Spinning
