Vernonia cinerea var. cinerea

Family Asteraceae

Herb to 60 cm high with tubular purple or white flowers and thick taproot to 3 mm diameter with branched network of smaller roots. Longevity 2 - 5 years.

Flowers: Purple, October–May.

Fruit: Achene 1–2 mm long, with pappus 4–5 mm long. Mature October–May.

Seed: Wind dispersed. Fresh seed germinates readily.

Gallery images: seed, seedling, rootstock, resprout

Ecology

• Woodland habitat in partial shade.
• Occasional clusters in woodland at the Australian Botanic Garden.
• Probably killed by fire.