Classification
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Senecio bipinnatisectus Belcher, Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 43: 41 (1956)
Synonymy:
  • = Erechtites atkinsoniae F.Muell., Fragm. (Mueller) 5, 88 (1865) – as Erechtites Atkinsoniae
  • = Senecio atkinsoniae F.Muell., Fragm. (Mueller) 5, 88 (1865) nom. illeg., nom. inval., nom. nud. – as Senecio Atkinsoniae
Vernacular Name(s):
Australian fireweed
 Description

Erect, annual or short-lived perennial herb, up to c. 2 m tall. Stems usually glabrous or with a few fine scattered hairs, sometimes sparsely to densely setose (especially above), branched or not from base. Lower and mid cauline lvs usually sparsely hairy, especially below, sometimes glabrous or moderately hairy, apetiolate, 1-pinnatifid with the linear to lanceolate or sometimes broader segments entire or irregularly toothed to again pinnatifid, ovate to elliptic, acute to acuminate at apex, amplexicaul and usually deeply and evenly 3-fid at base, 5–13–(20) × 2–8 cm; venation pinnate. Uppermost cauline lvs smaller, often 1-pinnatisect with entire segments. Capitula in loose panicles. Supplementary bracts 3–4–(7), lanceolate, 1–3 mm long. Involucral bracts 8–13, linear, glabrous, 5–7 mm long. Ray florets 0. Disc greenish yellow, c. 2 mm diam. Achenes subcylindric, only slightly narrowed to and slightly constricted below apex, with 1 row of hairs on or beside ribs or 2–3 rows between, 1.8–2.3 mm long; pappus 5–7 mm long.

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

 Biostatus
Indigenous (Non-endemic)
 Phenology

Flowering: Dec.–Jun.–(Aug.)

 Bibliography
Belcher, R.O. 1956: A Revision of the Genus Erechtites (Compositae) with Inquiries into Senecio and Arrhenechthites. Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 43: 1–85.
de Lange, P.J.; Rolfe, J.R.; Barkla J.W.; Courtney, S.P.; Champion, P.D.; Perrie, L.R.; Beadel, S.N.; Ford, K.A.; Breitwieser, I.; Schönberger, I.; Hindmarsh-Walls, R.; Heenan, P.B.; Ladley, K. 2018: Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2017. New Zealand Threat Classification Series. No. 22. [Not Threatened]
Mueller, F.J.H. von 1865–1866: Fragmenta Phytographiae Australiae. Vol. 5. Government Printer, Melbourne.