Alpine Groundsel.

Scapiform perennials to 0.5 m high, rhizomatous, nearly glabrous except for scape and peduncle. Basal leaves gradually to somewhat abruptly broadening from petiole-like portion to lamina, to 12 cm long, with l:w ratio 2–6, coarsely dentate to pinnatisect, with 3–6 major projections per side; base petiole-like, without auricles. Cauline leaves 5–12, becoming much smaller than basal leaves, mostly undivided, sometimes lobate; base without auricles or slightly dilated. Capitula 1 per stem; distal peduncle moderately hairy, with hairs to c. 1 mm long, or occasionally glabrous or nearly so; calycular bracteoles 6–12, 4–10 mm long; involucre 6–11 mm long, 5–12 mm diam.; bracts 12–30, glabrous or nearly so. Florets numerous; ligulate florets 13–22; ligule 10–20 mm long, 4- or 5-veined. Achenes narrowly obloid, 4–8 mm long. Pappus ?persistent, 4–7.5 mm long.

The high chromosome number of 2n = 80 for var. major (Lawrence 1980) is suggestive of polyploidy. Unfortunately there is no chromosome count for the typical variety.

Native.

Occurs in the Australian Capital Territory, southeastern New South Wales, eastern Victoria and Tasmania.

There are two varieties, differing only in their dimensions, and they are not always easy to distinguish, particularly if stunted plants are encountered. The key produced by Belcher (1996), when he described var. major, does not adequately distinguish them. Although the variation appears almost continuous, I consider that the two varieties should be maintained. A modified key was presented in Flora of Australia Volume 37 (Thompson 2015).

The typical variety occurs in Tasmania, whereas var. major is largely confined to the mainland. In Tasmania, var. major appears to occur only in the north, e.g. in Ben Lomond National Park, where it is sympatric with the typical variety.

Belcher, R.O. (1996). Australian alpine scapose radiate taxa of Senecio (Asteraceae). Muelleria 9: 115–131.

Howells, C., Whiting, J., Roberts, J., Reeves, R., Taylor, F. & Taylor, V. (2012). Tasmania's Natural Flora 2nd edn. (Australian Plants Society Tasmania Inc., Hobart Group).

Kirkpatrick, J.B. (1997). Alpine Tasmania: an illustrated guide to the flora and vegetation. (Oxford University Press: Melbourne, Oxford).

Thompson, I.R. (2015). Senecio, in Wilson, A.J.G. (ed.), Flora of Australia 37: 209–307. (Australian Biological Resources Study: Canberra).

Flora of Australia Volume 37 (2015).