Calendula arvensis L.

Erect or sprawling annual herb, up to c. 30 cm tall. Stems densely clothed in short, erect, eglandular and glandular hairs, less hairy below, much- branched. Basal and lower cauline lvs moderately to densely clothed in simple and glandular hairs, ciliate, obovate to obovate-oblong, with few scattered marginal teeth, acute and mucronate, apetiolate and slightly cuneate, 2–8 × 0.5–1.5 cm; upper cauline lvs similar to lower but becoming smaller, oblong, lanceolate, or narrowly ovate-triangular, broad-based and often ± amplexicaul. Capitula solitary, 10–15 mm diam. Involucral bracts in 2 rows, hairy, glandular and ciliate, narrowly ovate- to oblong-triangular, acuminate, 6–9 mm long, the inner with more conspicuous membranous margins. Ray florets c. 11–22, in 1–2 rows; ligules yellow or orange, ± = or not greatly exceeding bracts, c. 5–10 mm long. Disc florets few, yellow or orange. Achenes glabrous to moderately hairy, usually of 3 types; outermost achenes incurved, short-beaked, 7–10 mm long, with small stout spines on back; some outer achenes slightly shorter, scarcely beaked, broadly 2–3-winged and usually tuberculate on back; inner achenes enclosed by outer, ridged or tuberculate on back, 2–4 mm diam.

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

Flowering: Oct.–Jul.