Melanthera parvifolia

Small

Fl. S.E. U.S., 1251, 1340. 1903.

Endemic
Synonyms: Melanthera radiata Small
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 21. Treatment on page 125. Mentioned on page 123.

Plants 30–60 cm. Stems sprawling to weakly erect, strigose to hirsute. Leaf blades ovate or 3-lobed, 1.5–4 × 1–1.5 cm, bases broadly ± cuneate, hastate, margins coarsely serrate (sometimes undulate), faces strigose to hispid. Heads borne singly. Peduncles 2.5–10 cm, hispid to strigose. Involucres 10–14 mm diam. Phyllaries lanceolate, 5–7 × 1.5–3 mm. Paleae 6–7 × 2 mm, apical mucros 1–1.5 mm, usually recurved. Florets 25–40; corollas 5 mm; anther sacs 1.5 mm. Cypselae 2.5–3 × 1.5–2 mm. 2n = 30.


Phenology: Flowering Feb–Apr (perhaps year-round).
Habitat: Old coral reefs or porous oölitic rocks in open pine forests
Elevation: 0–10+ m

Discussion

Melanthera parvifolia is known only from southern Florida, including Big Pine Key.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.