Taxonomy

Flaveria bidentis (L.) Kuntze, Revis. Gen. Pl. 3[3]: 148. 1898.

Common synonyms

Ethulia bidentis L. Mant. Pl. 110. 1767.

Common name

Coastal plain yellowtops, smelter's bush

Description

Propagule or dispersal unit is the fruit. Fertile part 1.5-2.8 mm long, 0.5-0.8 mm wide, in side view widest in upper part (obovoid), +/- straight, the upper (apical) end narrowing, in cross-section flattened, basal scar (carpopodium) pronounced and well-differentiated, central or off to the side (oblique) or at least asymmetric, beak (=thinner sterile stalk between seed and pappus) absent, beak length 0 mm, wings absent, fruit surface black, smooth (except at cellular level), with no hairs (glabrous), thickened margin absent, longitudinal ribs present, 9-11, their surfaces smooth, with no hairs (glabrous).

Pappus absent.

Ecology

Annual herb, fruits dispersed passively. Tropical to subtropical regions. Found on rail- and roadsides, cultivated lands, wastelands and riverbanks.

Native range

South America.

Introduced range

Namibia, South Africa, Tunisia.

Weed status within Australia

NAQS target species.