Ursinia calenduliflora flowerheads and leaves

    Ursinia calenduliflora flowerheads and leaves
    Author: Ivan Lätti
    Photographer: Thabo Maphisa

    The leaves of Ursinia calenduliflora are deeply lobed or divided into narrow segments. About six to nine pairs of segments ascend, spaced along a sturdy rachis or midrib in a lace-like oblong to ovate leaf shape. Leaves become about 5 cm long.

    Flowerheads grow solitary on long, slender peduncles, erect above the leaves. The involucral bracts holding the flowerhead in their shallow green cup are free in a few rows, all with papery extensions at the tips. The inner, largest row of bracts has also the biggest of these rounded, translucent appendages.

    The flowerhead comprises a yellow disc around which one whorl of ray florets spreads. The rays are orange, usually with a dark purple patch at the base of each. Flowerhead diameter is variable around 3,5 cm.

    The seed has a pappus of five scales (Manning, 2009; Le Roux, et al, 2005; Eliovson, 1990; iNaturalist).

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