Entry From
Flora of South Africa, (2003) Author: Dr J.P. Roux
Common names
Gnaphalium setosum (Harv.) O. Kuntze, Rev. Gen. PI. 3,2: 154 (1898). G. setosum var. hoffmannii O. Kuntze, Rev. Gen. PI. 3,2: 154 (1898). Type: Natal, Glencoe, Highlands Station, Kuntze (K!).
Habitat
The name has been much misused. The species is characterized by its bushy habit, glandular-setose leaves mostly ovate or oblong-ovate, obtuse or acute, and heads solitary at the tips of long leafy branches arranged in a corymbose panicle; these branches are glandular-setose like the leaves; any white woolly hairs are confined to the area immediately below the heads and to the leaf margins and main vein. Although the leaves under the heads are a little smaller than those further back down the branches, they are nevertheless relatively large and crowded, often equalling or exceeding the involucre, and contribute to the very leafy appearance of the compound inflorescence. The arrangement of the heads alone will immediately distinguish H. setosum from H. cooperi (no. 240), with which it is frequently confused: H. cooperi has a well-branched compound inflorescence, and furtherÂmore the main stem leaves are usually at least shortly decurrent. H. tongetise (below) and specimens of H. mutabile (no. 233) lacki
Use
231. Helichrysum setosum Harv. in F. C. 3: 231 (1865); Moeser in Bot. Jb. 44: 337 (1910); Brenan in Mem. N. Y. bot. Gdn 8,5: 474 (1954); Hilliard, Compositae in Natal 246 (1977). Lectotype: Transvaal, on the Vaal River, May, Burke 98 (TCD!; BM; K; Z; fragment PRE, isolecto.!).
Range
Widespread in the Transvaal from the Soutpans-berg south to Potgietersrust in the east and the Waterberg in the west, then widespread on the Highveld, and reaching Parys and Vredefort in the Orange Free State and Newcastle, Dundee, Ngotshe and Klip River districts in Natal. Also in Zimbabwe and Malawi. Map 226.