Volume 13 > Part 2 > Year 2016 > Page 261 > Compositae (Asteraceae) > Crassocephalum

1. Crassocephalum crepidioides (Benth.) S.Moorewfo-0000133716

J. Bot. 50: 211. 1912; Backer & Bakh.f., Fl. Java 1: 426. 1965; Kitam., Acta Phytotax. Geobot. 23: 77. 1968; Grierson, Revis. Handb. Fl. Ceylon 1: 248. 1980; Kitam. & Gould in Hara, Chater & Williams, ed., Enum. Fl. Pl. Nepal 3: 22. 1982; Chen, Fl. Reipubl. Popularis Sin. 77(1): 304. 1999; Grierson & D.G.Long, Fl. Bhutan 2(3): 1597. 2001; Y.L.Chen et al., Fl. China 20–21: 536. 2011.— Gynura crepidioides Benth., Niger Fl. [W.J. Hooker] 438. 1849; Kerr, Fl. Siam. 2(3): 287. 1936. Plate XXIV: 3–4.

Accepted Name : This is currently accepted.

Description : Annual herb, 20–80 cm or sometimes 1.5 m tall; stems erect from tap roots, usually simple or branched above, branches ending in inflorescences. Leaves elliptic-oblanceolate, 5–28 by 1–11 cm, apex acute, base gradually attenuate into petiole, or lyrately lobed with 1–2 pairs of oblong acute lateral segments, to 5 by 2.5 cm, margins coarsely and irregularly dentate, teeth indurate, both surfaces nearly glabrous; petioles to 7 cm long. Inflorescences loose, leafy, terminal racemes; peduncles slender, 0.5–3 cm long. Capitula in bud pendulous, later becoming more-or-less erect; involucres cylindrical or urceolate, ca 1 by 3–8 mm, calyculate, calycular bracts linear, puberulous, to 5 mm long; phyllaries ca 21, uniseriate, linear-lanceolate, puberulous; receptacle slightly fimbrillate. Florets ca 150 per capitulum, bisexual; corollas brick red or dark orange, 0.8–1.1 cm long, apex 5-lobed, lobes lanceolate, ca 1 mm long, basal tube 5–7 mm long. Achenes cylindrical, ca 2 mm long, 8–10 ribbed, ribs dark purple, grooves white, setuliferous; pappus of capillary bristles, to 12 mm long, white.

Thailand : NORTHERN: Chiang Mai (Doi Inthanon, Wat Chiang Dao), Tak (Lansang NP), Phitsanulok (Thung Salaeng Luang NP); NORTH-EASTERN: Phetchabun (Nam Nao NP), Loei (Phu Kradueng, Phu Luang), Nong Khai (Pak Chom); EASTERN: Chaiyaphum (Thung Kramang); SOUTH-WESTERN: Uthaithani (Huai Kha Khaeng WS), Kanchanaburi (Sisawat), Prachuap Khiri Khan (Khao Chrongwan, Bang Saphan); CENTRAL: Saraburi (Tham Phra Phothisat), Nakhon Nayok (Khao Yai NP); SOUTH-EASTERN: Prachin Buri (Khao Yai NP), Rayong (Khao Cha Mao NP), Chanthaburi (Khao Soi Dao), Trat (Nong Ban); PENINSULAR: Ranong (Kapoe), Surat Thani (Khao Sok NP), Phangnga, Nakhon Si Thamarat (Wat Khiri Wong, Thung Song), Phatthalung, Trang (Khao Chong Botanic Garden), Songkhla (Rattaphum).

Distribution : Native of tropical Africa (Sierra Leone – type), now an aggressive weed throughout palaeotropical regions.

Ecology : Clearings and/or edges of evergreen forests along roads, river banks and cultivated land, from sea level to 2,000 m alt. Flowering: December–July, probably throughout the year.

Vernacular : Khi ngua (ขี้งัว)(Mae Hong Son); phakkat khamu (ผักกาดขมุ)(Mae Hong Son); phakkat ngong (ผักกาดง่อง)(Chiang Mai); phakkat chang (ผักกาดช้าง)(Chiang Mai); phak-khi-wo (ผักขี้โว)(Shan-Mae Hong Son); phak pet nam (ผักเป็ดน้ำ)(Central, Chiang Mai); phak phet maeo (ผักเผ็ดแม้ว)(Chiang Mai); phak phet chang (ผักเพ็ดช้าง)(Mae Hong Son); phak han (ผักห่าน)(Loei); ya kho on (หญ้าคออ่อน)(Chiang Mai); ya dok khao (หญ้าดอกขาว)(Peninsular, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Central, Loei, Ang Thong); ya dok kham (หญ้าดอกคำ)(Northeastern, Northern, Loei); ya ton ngong (หญ้าต้นงอง)(Chiang Mai).