Erect, much-branched perennial herb to c. 70 cm high; stems ribbed, pubescent at least when young. Leaves ovate in outline, 2–9 cm long, 1–4 cm wide, pinnatisect, with 3–7 ovate to elliptic, crenate to pinnatifid segments, both surfaces pubescent; petiole 1–10 cm long. Capitula 5–25, 10–20 mm diam.; involucral bracts 4–5 mm long, outer ones narrow-lanceolate, keeled, acute, inner ones oblanceolate, flat, with an obtuse ciliate hyaline apex. Outer florets 20–30, ligulate; ligules oblanceolate, 3–7 mm long, white; inner florets numerous, yellow. Cypselas 1–1.5 mm long, 5–8-ribbed; pappus a small scarious crown c. 0.2 mm long. Flowers spring–autumn.
VVP, GipP, OtP, CVU, EGU, HSF, HNF, MonT, VAlp. Also naturalised SA, Qld, NSW, New Zealand. Native to Europe. An occasional garden-escape and roadside weed in moister habitats, often at high altitude.
Source:
Jeanes, J.A. (1999). Asteraceae. In: Walsh, N.G.; Entwisle, T.J., Flora of Victoria Vol. 4, Cornaceae to Asteraceae, pp. 652–666. Inkata Press, Melbourne.
