Sea aster
Propagule or dispersal unit is the fruit with pappus. Fertile part 3-5 mm long, 0.3-1.2 mm wide, in side view widest in upper part (obovoid) or widest in the middle, +/- straight, the upper (apical) end narrowing, in cross-section flattened or angular (prismatic), basal scar (carpopodium) inconspicuous and undifferentiated, central or off to the side (oblique) or at least asymmetric, beak (=thinner sterile stalk between seed and pappus) absent, wings absent, fruit surface light brown or straw or other, smooth (except at cellular level), with no hairs (glabrous) or simple straight hairs, thickened margin absent or present (by misinterpretation), thick margin hairs no hairs (glabrous) or simple straight hairs, longitudinal ribs present, 1-3, their surfaces smooth, with no hairs (glabrous) or simple straight hairs.
Pappus type bristles / hairs, pappus elements all +/- similar, up to 8-17 mm long, in several rows, pappus elements numerous, persistent, the individual bristles rough / serrated (barbellate), +/- equal width along length, white / translucent.
Notes: One of several species that have flattened seeds with three ribs and have been scored to accommodate the alternative interpretation of a thickened margin and only one rib. Fruits can sometimes be purplish instead of brown.
Perennial herb, fruits wind-dispersed. Temperate to Mediterranean regions. Salinity tolerant, found in salt marshes and saline inland areas.
Europe, North Africa, Asia.
WA Declared Pest s12 (C1 Prohibited).
Belgium, Sweden, Germany, Hungary.
New and used vehicles.