Podolepis robusta
Species of plant
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Podolepis robusta, commonly known as alpine podolepis, mountain lettuce or cattleman's lettuce, is a perennial herb from the Australian Alps in the family Asteraceae.[1][2]
| Podolepis robusta | |
|---|---|
| |
| Podolepis robusta Alpine National Park, Victoria | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Asteraceae |
| Genus: | Podolepis |
| Species: | P. robusta |
| Binomial name | |
| Podolepis robusta | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
|
Podolepis longipedata var. robusta Maiden & Betche | |
Description
The species has a thick, upright single stem and reaches up to 60 cm in height, with yellow inflorescences that are around 25 mm in diameter. These appear in summer.[2] Spathulate basal leaves clasp the stem and are up to 20 cm in length.[2] Leaves on the stem above these are smaller and decrease in size with height.[3]
Taxonomy
The species was initially described in 1898 as Podolepis longipedata var. robusta based on plant material collected from Australia's highest mountain, Mount Kosciuszko.[1] In 1942, it was renamed as Podolepis acuminata var. robusta by botanist Jim Willis.[1] He elevated it to species status in 1954.[1]
Distribution
Podolepis robusta is found in alpine grassland, commonly in association with snow gums.[2][4] It occurs in the Australian Alps, southwards from Mount Gingera in the Australian Capital Territory.[2]