Erechtites valerianifolius (Link ex Spreng.) DC.

Erect annual herb, 0.5- c. 1 m tall. Stems sparsely hairy to almost glabrous, branched above. Lvs sparsely hispidulous, usually lanate when very young; lower lvs petiolate, irregularly serrate to lyrate-pinnatifid or pinnatifid; mid cauline lvs petiolate or narrowed to long-cuneate base, not amplexicaul, ovate to elliptic, usually pinnatifid, sometimes lyrate-pinnatifid, 7–25 × 3–15 cm, with segments elliptic or oblong and irregularly serrate; uppermost lvs smaller, broader-based, and usually ± apetiolate with fewer, often narrower segments. Capitula in dense or open panicles. Supplementary bracts 7–14, linear, 1.5–5 mm long. Involucral bracts 12–14, linear, (6)–9–12 mm long. Disc mauve, 3–6–(7) mm diam. Achenes narrow-cylindric, narrowed to apex, 3–3.8 mm long, with scattered hairs between ribs; pappus pink to mauve, c. 10 mm long.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

Flowering: Jan.–Dec.