Status:
valid
                
                
                    
Authors:
D.Don
                
                
                    
Source:
gcc
                
                
                    
Year:
1830
                
                
                    
Citation Micro:
Trans. Linn. Soc. London 16(2): 230 (1830)
                
                
                    
WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000081446
                
             
            
            
                
                
                
            
            
            
                                    
                        Common Names
                        
                        - Polyachyrus sphaerocephalus
- Sphaerocephalus Polyachyrus
- Round-headed Polyachyrus
 
                                
                
                    
                    
                    
                
                
                
                
                                                    
                        Description
                        
                            Polyachyrus sphaerocephalus (also called 'Round-headed Polyachyrus', 'Round-headed Thistle', 'Round-headed Star-thistle' among many other common names) is an annual herb native to Europe. It grows up to 0.5 m tall and has small, greyish-green leaves and small, yellow flower heads. It prefers sunny, dry habitats and is commonly found in grasslands, open woodlands, and rocky hillsides.                        
                     
                                
                                    
                        Uses & Benefits
                        
                            Polyachyrus sphaerocephalus is used as a medicinal plant to treat fever, diarrhea, and other ailments. It is also used as an ornamental plant in gardens and as a source of food for livestock.                        
                     
                                
                                                    
                        Flower, Seeds and Seedlings
                        
                            The flower of Polyachyrus sphaerocephalus is a small, yellow flower head with a yellow center. The seed is a small, black, ovoid-shaped achene with a white pappus. The seedlings are small, with a rosette of lobed leaves.                        
                     
                                
                
                
                                    
                        Cultivation and Propagation
                        
                            Polyachyrus sphaerocephalus is a low-growing, evergreen perennial that is native to Australia. It grows in a clump and has small, white daisy-like flowers. It can be propagated by seed or division. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It is drought tolerant and can tolerate light frosts.                        
                     
                                                    
                        Where to Find Polyachyrus sphaerocephalus
                        
                            Polyachyrus sphaerocephalus is native to South Africa and can be found in the wild in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and Free State provinces.                        
                     
                
                                    
                        Polyachyrus sphaerocephalus FAQ
                        
                            What is the scientific name of Polyachyrus sphaerocephalus?
Polyachyrus sphaerocephalus
What is the common name of Polyachyrus sphaerocephalus?
Round-headed Polyachyrus
What is the natural habitat of Polyachyrus sphaerocephalus?
Dry, rocky slopes and ridges
 
                     
                
                                    
                        Species in the Polyachyrus genus
                        
                     
                                                    
                        Species in the Asteraceae family
                        
                            Aaronsohnia pubescens, 
Aaronsohnia factorovskyi, 
Abrotanella filiformis, 
Abrotanella rostrata, 
Abrotanella linearis, 
Abrotanella trilobata, 
Abrotanella muscosa, 
Abrotanella inconspicua, 
Abrotanella trichoachaenia, 
Abrotanella caespitosa, 
Abrotanella nivigena, 
Abrotanella pusilla, 
Abrotanella linearifolia, 
Abrotanella papuana, 
Abrotanella rosulata, 
Abrotanella emarginata, 
Abrotanella fertilis, 
Abrotanella spathulata, 
Abrotanella purpurea, 
Abrotanella patearoa, 
Abrotanella submarginata, 
Abrotanella diemii, 
Abrotanella scapigera, 
Abrotanella forsterioides, 
Acamptopappus shockleyi, 
Acamptopappus sphaerocephalus, 
Acanthocephalus benthamianus, 
Acanthocephalus amplexifolius, 
Acanthocladium dockeri, 
Acanthodesmos distichus, 
Acanthodesmos gibarensis, 
Acanthospermum humile, 
Acanthospermum consobrinum, 
Acanthospermum glabratum, 
Acanthospermum microcarpum, 
Acanthospermum hispidum, 
Acanthospermum australe, 
Acanthospermum lecocarpoides, 
Acanthostyles buniifolius, 
Acanthostyles saucechicoensis, 
Achillea buiana, 
Achillea conrathii, 
Achillea cucullata, 
Achillea styriaca, 
Achillea clavennae, 
Achillea cappadocica, 
Achillea huber-morathii, 
Achillea ptarmicoides, 
Achillea sieheana, 
Achillea barrelieri,