Asteraceae

DICOTYLEDONS

ASTERACEAE - Daisy Family

Ursinia anthemoides (ursinia) is an erect annual with feathery divided leaves and solitary heads on the end of long stalks. The ray florets are usually a brownish orange with yellow disc florets. When in fruit the plant becomes more conspicuous, as five petal-like scales attached to each seed give the appearance of white flowers.

Ursinia anthemoides seed head, RC

It flowers in spring and summer and is a common, widespread weed in various habitats throughout the south-west of Western Australia. Native to South Africa. U. speciosa is a garden escape that has naturalised in peppermint woodland at Hamelin Bay. It is a hairless annual, growing to 40cm, with pinnately-divided leaves to 5cm long. The flowerheads may be up to 5cm across, with yellow or orange ray florets and purple disc florets. Native to Namibia.

Ursinia anthemoides , RR

Vellereophyton dealbatum (was Gnaphalium candidissimum) (white cudweed) is a white-woolly annual found in disturbed sites including pastoral lands, road verges and wetlands from Moora to Esperance. It is also an occasional weed of horticultural areas near Perth. Native to Europe.

Vellereophyton dealbatum , PH

Verbesina encelioides (crownbeard) is an annual weed of roadsides and wasteland, common in the Geraldton area and found occasionally southwards to Mandurah. The leaves are greyish, roughly triangular in shape, and the heads have bright yellow rays and centres. Flowers in spring and summer. The whole plant superficially resembles a bushy sunflower. Native to America.

Verbesina encelioides , PH

Vernonia cinerea (vernonia) is an annual or short-lived perennial to 50cm with ovate leaves. The stems branch repeatedly at the top to hold aloft the small cylindrical, purple flower heads. Flowers throughout the year. Originally from Central America, now a pantropical weed, it is sometimes considered native to Western Australia, where it occurs in the Kimberley.

Vernonia cinerea , RR

Xanthium occidentale (noogoora burr) DP is a shrubby perennial with large, lobed, rough leaves. The heads are inconspicuous, terminal or in the axils of the leaves, and are followed by spiny burrs that can be a serious contaminant of wool. In addition, the cotyledons (first leaves) are toxic. Thought to be native to the western USA, it is now a cosmopolitan weed, occurring along the Ord and Fitzroy river systems in the Kimberley, also occasionally appearing in the south-west agricultural area.

Xanthium occidentale , NW

X. spinosum (Bathurst burr) DP has a shorter, more branched habit but much narrower, divided, dark green leaves with a white underside and smaller burrs. The stems carry long, three-pronged, yellow spines. It is reputed to have arrived in Australia in the 1840s, tangled in the tails of horses brought from America. Common in the eastern Goldfields and occasional in the wheatbelt. Both plants are subject to eradication efforts.

X. spinosum , RK

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*Ursinia anthemoides* (ursinia) is an erect annual with feathery divided leaves and solitary heads on the end of long stalks. The ray florets are usually a brownish orange with yellow disc florets. When in fruit the plant becomes more conspicuous, as five petal-like scales attached to each seed give the appearance of white flowers.	*Ursinia anthemoides* seed head, RC
It flowers in spring and summer and is a common, widespread weed in various habitats throughout the south-west of Western Australia. Native to South Africa. *U. speciosa* is a garden escape that has naturalised in peppermint woodland at Hamelin Bay. It is a hairless annual, growing to 40cm, with pinnately-divided leaves to 5cm long. The flowerheads may be up to 5cm across, with yellow or orange ray florets and purple disc florets. Native to Namibia.	*Ursinia anthemoides* , RR
*Vellereophyton dealbatum* (was Gnaphalium candidissimum) (white cudweed) is a white-woolly annual found in disturbed sites including pastoral lands, road verges and wetlands from Moora to Esperance. It is also an occasional weed of horticultural areas near Perth. Native to Europe.	*Vellereophyton dealbatum* , PH
*Verbesina encelioides* (crownbeard) is an annual weed of roadsides and wasteland, common in the Geraldton area and found occasionally southwards to Mandurah. The leaves are greyish, roughly triangular in shape, and the heads have bright yellow rays and centres. Flowers in spring and summer. The whole plant superficially resembles a bushy sunflower. Native to America.	*Verbesina encelioides* , PH
*Vernonia cinerea* (vernonia) is an annual or short-lived perennial to 50cm with ovate leaves. The stems branch repeatedly at the top to hold aloft the small cylindrical, purple flower heads. Flowers throughout the year. Originally from Central America, now a pantropical weed, it is sometimes considered native to Western Australia, where it occurs in the Kimberley.	*Vernonia cinerea* , RR
*Xanthium occidentale* (noogoora burr) DP is a shrubby perennial with large, lobed, rough leaves. The heads are inconspicuous, terminal or in the axils of the leaves, and are followed by spiny burrs that can be a serious contaminant of wool. In addition, the cotyledons (first leaves) are toxic. Thought to be native to the western USA, it is now a cosmopolitan weed, occurring along the Ord and Fitzroy river systems in the Kimberley, also occasionally appearing in the south-west agricultural area.	*Xanthium occidentale* , NW
*X. spinosum* (Bathurst burr) DP has a shorter, more branched habit but much narrower, divided, dark green leaves with a white underside and smaller burrs. The stems carry long, three-pronged, yellow spines. It is reputed to have arrived in Australia in the 1840s, tangled in the tails of horses brought from America. Common in the eastern Goldfields and occasional in the wheatbelt. Both plants are subject to eradication efforts.	*X. spinosum* , RK