Difference between Senecio and other slender Asters

"Osteospermum more often glandular, Senecio typically has these numerous, thin parallel bracts with sharp tips"

Similarities:
Both Senecio and Osteospermum have
*Keeled upper surface of sepals
*Sepals and pedicels with glandular hairs
*Bracts tips discoloured
*Bracts tips covering the lower base of the corolla and/or parallel on either side to the lower base of corolla

The key distinguishing feature between these 2 and other genii of slender, forbe-like Asters is:
*Bract length - Senecio= bracts >1.5x the length of petals; Osteospermum, Afroaster= bracts <1x the length of petals
*Bract/ gynoecium shape - Senecio= Bulbous shaped gynoecium, and conforming bracts
*bracts non-uniformly stratified, deeply torn, and thinly overlapping in Senecio. Bracts arranged in inner and outer (well-defined) cups in Afroaster

Posted on April 28, 2020 05:26 PM by anthonywalton