Verbesina alternifolia

Species category

Weed

Common name

wingstem

Diagnostic characters

Planting unit

AcheneAchene:
A dry, hard, one-chambered, one-seeded indehiscent fruit, as in buckwheat (Fagopyrum) or sunflower (Helianthus). The fruit wall is not united with the seed coat.

Shape

ObovateObovate:
Inverted egg shaped with apical end the broadest.

Size

  • Length 5–6 mm
  • Width 5–6 mm
  • Thickness 1.5–1.7 mm

Color

Black with yellow wings

Texture

Striate

Other structures

The acheneAchene:
A dry, hard, one-chambered, one-seeded indehiscent fruit, as in buckwheat (Fagopyrum) or sunflower (Helianthus). The fruit wall is not united with the seed coat.
has broad marginal wings of various dimensions.

Identification notes

PappusPappus:
Modified calyx in Asteraceae, composed of hairs, bristles, awns, or scales. The pappus-like structure attached to milkweed seeds is termed a coma. 
crown has two opposing horn like spikesSpike:
Has a strong central axis (rachis) on which flowers or spikelets are directly attached (sessile), e.g. wheatgrasses.
.

Noxious weed seed categories

Not listed

AOSA examination list

Not included

Nomenclature

Family

Asteraceae

Valid name

Verbesina alternifolia (L.) Britton ex Kearney

Synonyms

Actinomeris alternifolia (L.) DC.
Ridan alternifolia (L.) Britton

 Verbesina alternifolia.  Achenes where the pappus crown has two opposing horn-like spikes.
Verbesina alternifolia. Achenes where the pappus crown has two opposing horn-like spikes.