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.