About Gamochaeta antillana (Urb.) Anderb.
Common Name and Taxonomy
Gamochaeta antillana, commonly known as the delicate everlasting, is a species of flowering plant belonging to the family Asteraceae.
Native Range
It is native to the Greater Antilles and the southeastern United States, ranging from Florida to Louisiana.
Naturalized Range
It has also become naturalized in additional regions including South America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Texas, California, the Carolinas, and other areas.
Growth Form and Root Structure
This species is an annual herb that grows up to 40 cm (16 in) tall and forms a taproot.
Leaf Characteristics
Its leaves grow up to 4 cm (1.6 in) long.
Flower Head Arrangement
The plant produces many small flower heads arranged in elongated clusters as well as tightly packed clumps.
Flower Composition
Each flower head contains 3 to 5 purple disc flowers, and does not produce any ray flowers.
Taxonomic Misidentification History
Gamochaeta antillana is similar in appearance to G. falcata, and for a long time many specimens of Gamochaeta antillana collected from the eastern United States were misidentified as G. falcata.