Callistephus chinensis (L.) Nees

Erect annual herb, c. 10–40 cm tall. Stems ridged, sparsely hairy, single or branched to form infl. Basal and lower cauline lvs mostly withered at flowering, petiolate, ovate, coarsely serrate, with a few scattered hairs on veins of lower surface, ciliolate, 20–100 × 6–35 mm; mid and upper cauline lvs smaller, narrow- to broad-spathulate, apetiolate and cuneate, with few teeth or entire. Capitula 2.5–10 cm diam., solitary. Outer involucral bracts linear to spathulate, ciliate, 5–18 mm long; inner bracts spathulate, glabrous, ± = or < outer. Ligules white, pink to rose, or blue to purple, in 1 row or double, 1–3 cm long. Disc yellow. Achenes moderately hairy and with narrow glands, c. 3.5 mm long.

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

Flowering: Feb.–Apr.