Chaptalia nutans

Chaptalia nutans is a species of plant in the Asteraceae family native to tropical and subtropical America. It is the most common species of its genus.

Description

Vegetative characteristics

Chaptalia nutans is a perennial, rhizomatous, terrestrial herb with a short rhizome and adventitious, short primary roots and fibrous lateral roots. The small stem produces sessile, hairy, 5–20 cm long, and 2.5–6 cm wide leaves.

Generative characteristics

The peduncles 10–60 cm long. The nodding capitulum has 150-320 florets. The achenes are 9–20 mm long. The cream-coloured pappus is 10–12 mm long.

Cytology

The diploid chromosome count is 2n = 48.

Reproduction

In Brazil, flowering and fruiting occurs in October to January, when the dry season is coming to an end.

Habitat

It occurs in warm and humid habitats in shade, and may also be found in habitats experiencing seasonal droughts.

Taxonomy

It was first published as Tussilago nutans by Carl Linnaeus in 1759. It was transferred to the genus Chaptalia as Chaptalia nutans by Hellmuth Polakowski in 1878.

Etymology

The specific epithet nutans means "nodding". It refers to the nodding inflorescences.