Print Fact SheetLagascea mollis

Taxonomy

Lagascea mollis Cav., Anales Ci. Nat. vi. 333 t. 44. 1803.

Common synonyms

Nocca mollis (Cav.) Jacq. Fragm. Bot. 58. 1809.

Common name

Silkleaf, acuate, American softhead

Description

Propagule or dispersal unit is the fruit. Fertile part 3-3.5 mm long, 0.8-1.5 mm wide, in side view widest in upper part (obovoid), +/- straight, the upper (apical) end narrowing, in cross-section flattened, basal scar (carpopodium) inconspicuous and undifferentiated, central or off to the side (oblique) or at least asymmetric, wings absent, fruit surface black, smooth (except at cellular level), with no hairs (glabrous), woolly / crispate hairs, thickened margin absent, longitudinal ribs present, rarely absent (by misinterpretation), 7-15, their surfaces smooth, with no hairs (glabrous), woolly / crispy hairs, rarely simple straight hairs (by misinterpretation).

Pappus absent, but the key accommodates a misinterpretation of the woolly hairs at the fruit apex as a pappus of scales.

Ecology

Annual herb, fruits dispersed passively. Tropical regions. Found in agricultural areas and wastelands.

Native range

Mexico, Central America, Caribbean, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Argentina.

Introduced range

United States (Florida), Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Indonesia, China, Fiji.

Weed status within Australia

NAQS target species.