Inula hirta
Encyclopedia
Inula hirta is a perennial herbaceous
plant belonging to the genus Inula
of the Asteraceae
family. The specific Latin name hirta refers to the type of hairiness (bristly and rough) of the plant.
All the leaves along the stem (cauline) are alternately arranged, irregularly toothed, erect, tomentose on both sides and hairy on the edge. They are usually laminar, leathery and rough. The base is rounded and the apex is obtuse. The average size of the leaves varies from 15–20 mm (0.590551181102362–0.78740157480315 ) of width to a length of 40–50 mm (1.6–2 ). Lower leaves have an elliptical or elliptical-lanceolate shape and have a thin petiole
. Their size is more or less similar to the cauline one. Upper leaves are sessile, amplexicaul (their base is embracing the stem) and more lanceolate.
The flowers are hermaphrodite The outer flowers are ligulate, bright yellow and feminine, while the inner ones are tubular, dark yellow and bisexual. The diameter of the flower varies from 35–50 mm (1.4–2 ). The flowering period extends from May through late September. The fruits are glabrous achene
s with hairy appendages (pappus
).
Herbaceous
A herbaceous plant is a plant that has leaves and stems that die down at the end of the growing season to the soil level. They have no persistent woody stem above ground...
plant belonging to the genus Inula
Inula
Inula is a large genus of about 90 species of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae, native to Europe, Asia and Africa. The genus is thought by some to be paraphyletic, based on the study of the different phenolic compounds the various species have.They are mostly perennial herbs that vary...
of the Asteraceae
Asteraceae
The Asteraceae or Compositae , is an exceedingly large and widespread family of vascular plants. The group has more than 22,750 currently accepted species, spread across 1620 genera and 12 subfamilies...
family. The specific Latin name hirta refers to the type of hairiness (bristly and rough) of the plant.
Description
Inula hirta reaches an height of 20–40 cm (7.9–15.7 ). The stem is ascending, simple (unbranched) and cylindrical, the surface is striped and hairy. These plants are covered with stiff hairs, almost bristly and light in color. The underground portion consists of an oblique rhizome not too big of a light color. Average size of the rhizome: width 2 mm, length 25 mm.All the leaves along the stem (cauline) are alternately arranged, irregularly toothed, erect, tomentose on both sides and hairy on the edge. They are usually laminar, leathery and rough. The base is rounded and the apex is obtuse. The average size of the leaves varies from 15–20 mm (0.590551181102362–0.78740157480315 ) of width to a length of 40–50 mm (1.6–2 ). Lower leaves have an elliptical or elliptical-lanceolate shape and have a thin petiole
Petiole (botany)
In botany, the petiole is the stalk attaching the leaf blade to the stem. The petiole usually has the same internal structure as the stem. Outgrowths appearing on each side of the petiole are called stipules. Leaves lacking a petiole are called sessile, or clasping when they partly surround the...
. Their size is more or less similar to the cauline one. Upper leaves are sessile, amplexicaul (their base is embracing the stem) and more lanceolate.
The flowers are hermaphrodite The outer flowers are ligulate, bright yellow and feminine, while the inner ones are tubular, dark yellow and bisexual. The diameter of the flower varies from 35–50 mm (1.4–2 ). The flowering period extends from May through late September. The fruits are glabrous achene
Achene
An achene is a type of simple dry fruit produced by many species of flowering plants. Achenes are monocarpellate and indehiscent...
s with hairy appendages (pappus
Pappus
Pappus may refer to:*Pappus , a type of flower structure*Pappus of Alexandria, Greek mathematician**Pappus's hexagon theorem, often just called 'Pappus's theorem', a theorem named for Pappus of Alexandria...
).