Podolepis robusta

Podolepis robusta, commonly known as Alpine Podolepis, Mountain Lettuce or Cattleman's Lettuce, is a perennial herb from the Australian Alps in the family Asteraceae.[1][2]

Podolepis robusta
Podolepis robusta
Alpine National Park, Victoria
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Plantae
(unranked):
Angiosperms
(unranked):
Eudicots
(unranked):
Asterids
Order:
Asterales
Family:
Asteraceae
Genus:
Podolepis
Species:
P. robusta
Binomial name
Podolepis robusta
Synonyms

Podolepis longipedata var. robusta Maiden & Betche
Podolepis acuminata var. robusta (Maiden & Betche) J.H.Willis[1]

Description

The species has a thick, upright single stem and reaches up to 60 cm in height, with yellow inflorescences that are around 25 mm in diameter. These appear in summer.[2] Spathulate basal leaves clasp the stem and are up to 20 cm in length.[2] Leaves on the stem above these are smaller and decrease in size with height.[3]

Taxonomy

The species was initially described in 1898 as Podolepis longipedata var. robusta based on plant material collected from Australia's highest mountain, Mount Kosciuszko.[1] In 1942, it was renamed as Podolepis acuminata var. robusta by botanist Jim Willis.[1] He elevated it to species status in 1954.[1]

Distribution

Podolepis robusta is found in alpine grassland, commonly in association with snow gums.[2][4] It occurs in the Australian Alps, southwards from Mount Gingera in the Australian Capital Territory.[2]

References
  1. "Podolepis robusta". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government, Canberra. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
  2. "Podolepis robusta". PlantNET - New South Wales Flora Online. Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust, Sydney Australia. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
  3. Corrick, M.G. & Fuhrer, B.A. (2001). Wildflowers of Victoria and adjoining areas. Australia: Bloomings Books. ISBN 1876473142.
  4. Wild Plants of Victoria (database). Viridans Biological Databases & Department of Sustainability and Environment. 2009.
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