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Spiny Starwort
Asteriscus spinosus / Pallenis spinosa
45.0673, 13.6325
Field Notes
Description:
Annual plant that reaches 30 - 60 cm in high and has spines or sharp edges (Lat. spinosus). The Latin name of the genus is derived from palea (chaff), referring to the chaffy receptacle. The large, slightly convex receptacle shows numerous, yellowish orange, hermaphrodite disc florets and two whorls of yellow ray florets. The long, villous, involucral bracts end in an apical sharp-pointed spine.The flowering period extends from May through July. Fruits are achenes of about 2 - 2.5 mm of length.
Habitat:
This plant occurs in desert and coastal habitats of Southern Europe, North Africa, the Canary Islands and the Middle East. It prefers either full sun exposure or partial shade (shown on photos). These plants can survive in very dry environments and can be found on uncultivated sunny lands and on the roadsides at 0 - 1 400 m above sea level.
Notes:
Other names: Golden Pallenis
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