Bristly Starbur

Bristly Starbur

Acanthospermum hispidum DC.

Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)

▲ seedling

▲ ▼ mature plants

▲ leaves and inflorescence

▲ ▼ inflorescence and fruit

Acanthospermum hispidum DC., Bristly Starbur: (Bayer Code: ACNAU; US Code ACAU2)

• Summer annuals growing 2-4 feet tall, spreading and much branched in upper portions
• Leaves oval-shaped,, with toothed margins, rough-textured with stiff hairs, some with glands at the base of the hairs
• Flowers greenish-yellow, in head type arrangements in axils of leaves and at stem tips
• Fruit is circular with radiating, spiny “spokes" coming out from center; normally 8 “spokes" per fruit
• Found in fertile, disturbed sites (annual crops); prefers sandy soils

(Posted January 15, 2019)

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