Hedge Leaved Adenostyle

Adenostyles alliariae is herbaceous perennial flowering plant in the daisy family Asteraceae.

Subspecies

• Adenostyles alliariae subsp. alliariae
• Adenostyles alliariae subsp. pyrenaica (Lange) P. Fournier

Synonyms

• Adenostyles albifrons (L. f.) Rchb.
• Adenostyles albida Cass.
• Adenostyles albida Cass. subsp. kerneri (Simonk.) Nyman (synonym of subsp. alliariae)
• Adenostyles albida Cass. subsp. pyrenaica (Lange) Rouy (synonym of subsp. hybrida)
• Adenostyles alliariae (Gouan) A.Kern. subsp. pyrenaica (Lange) P.Fourn. (synonym of subsp. hybrida)
• Adenostyles alpina (L.) Bluff. & Fingerh
• Adenostyles alpina (L.) Bluff. & Fingerh subsp. alliariae A. Kern.
• Adenostyles alpina (L.) Bluff & Fingerh. subsp. alpina var. australis (Ten.) Fiori (synonym of subsp. alliariae)
• Adenostyles alpina (L.) Bluff & Fingerh. subsp. alpina var. alliariae (Gouan) Fiori (synonym of subsp. alliariae)
• Adenostyles alpina (L.) Bluff & Fingerh. subsp. alpina var. macrocephala (Huter, Porta & Rigo) Fiori (synonym of subsp. hybrida)
• Adenostyles australis Ten. (synonym of subsp. alliariae)
• Adenostyles hirsuta (Vill.) Fourr.
• Adenostyles hybrida DC. (synonym of subsp. hybrida)
• Adenostyles kerneri Simonk.
• Adenostyles macrocephala Huter & al.
• Adenostyles orientalis Boiss. (synonym of subsp. hybrida)
• Adenostyles petasites (Lam.) Bluff & Fingerh.
• Adenostyles petasites (Lam.) Bluff & Fingerh. subsp. hybrida (DC.) Arcang. (synonym of subsp. hybrida)
• Adenostyles pyrenaica Lange (synonym of subsp. hybrida)
• Adenostyles viridis Cass. subsp. australis (Ten.) Nyman (synonym of subsp. alliariae)
• Cacalia albifrons L.f.
• Cacalia albida Cass. ex Schur
• Cacalia alliariae Gouan (1773)
• Cacalia hirsuta Vill.
• Cacalia petasites Lam.
• Cacalia tomentosa Jacq.
• Eupatorium albifrons (L.f.) E.H.L.Krause

Description

Adenostyles alliariae can reach a height of 40–70 centimetres (16–28 in). The inflorescence consists of dense corymbs hold by hairy peduncles. The small heads are usually composed of 3 to 4 flowers. The receptacle (the part that collects and maintains individual flowers) is naked or hairless. The flowers are of a tubular type and hermaphroditic. The corolla is cylindrical and pink violet. The length of the flower is of 7–8 mm. The period of flowering is from June until August.

Basal leaves are large, kidney-shaped or heart-shaped, leaf margin is toothed. Size of leaves at the base: width 12–14 centimetres (4.7–5.5 in), length 6–9 centimetres (2.4–3.5 in). Cauline leaves are arranged in alternating fashion with successively smaller size and are petiolated. At the base of the petiole are present two large leaflets enveloping the stem.

Distribution and habitat

The area of origin of the species is considered the mountainous southern Europe. Altitude: 1,300–2,400 metres (4,300–7,900 ft) above sea level. The preferred habitat of this species are wooded areas with tall grasses, rocks, and moraines.

Inflorescence of Adenostyles alliariae

Close-up on flowers

Leaf

References

• Sandro Pignatti - Flora d'Italia. Volume 3, Bologna, Edagricole, 1982, pag. 15
• F.Conti, G. Abbate, A.Alessandrini, C.Blasi, An annotated checklist of the Italian Vascular Flora, Roma, Palombi Editore, 2005, pag. 46
• Index Synonymique
• Tropicos
• Biolib
• Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

Media related to Adenostyles alliariae at Wikimedia Commons