Launaea nudicaulis (Linn.) Hook. f.
Common Name : Bold-leaf launaeae
Family : Asteraceae

HABIT |
PERENNIAL HERB WITH A TAPROOT AND OFTEN SHOOT BEARING LATERAL ROOTS, UP TO 40-50 CM HIGH. |
STEMS |
A SHORT WOODY CAUDEX. |
LEAVES |
ONE OR A FEW BASAL LEAF ROSETTES, EACH USUALLY WITH SEVERAL PROCUMBENT TO ASCENDING-ERECT, DIVARICATELY BRANCHED, OCCASIONALLY STRAGGLING FLOWERING STEMS; CAUDICAL LEAVES 2-12 X 0.5-3.5 CM, RATHER VARIABLE, NARROWLY SPATHULATE IN OUTLINE, SINUATE-DENTATE TO IRREGULARLY PINNATIFID TO MOSTLY RUNCINATE, WITH ACUTE APEX AND ACUTE SEGMENTS, MARGIN SINUATE-DENTATE AND DENTICULATE. |
FLOWERS |
INFLORESCENCE OF A FLOWERING STEM ENDING IN A SINGLE CAPITULUM AND WITH A VARIABLE NUMBER OF FLOWERING BRANCHES; PEDUNCLES 2-15 MM LONG, WIRY, SPREADING-ERECT; FLOWERS USUALLY YELLOW. |
FRUITS |
ACHENES 2.6-5.5 X 0.5-1.0 MM, HETEROMORPHIC, WITH 4 MAIN RIBS, SMOOTH TO SOMEWHAT TRANSVERSELY WRINKLED, PALE. |