Acanthophyllum pungens

Description

Plants 15--35 cm tall.Main root stout.Stems globose caespitose,basally branched,tomentulose.Leaves horizontal or reflexed,subulate-needlelike,2--4 cm × 1--1.5 mm,sparsely tomentulose;leaf axils with dwarf,spinose,sterile shoots.Corymb or capitulum terminal,2--5 cm in diam.Pedicel very short;bracts leaflike,usually reflexed distally,hairy.Calyx sometimes red,tubular,6--7 × 1--1.5 mm,white hirsute,5-veined;calyx teeth broadly triangular,ca.1 mm,margin membranous proximally,ciliate,apex subulate-spinose.Petals red or reddish,elliptic-oblanceolate,ca.1.2 cm × 1.5 mm;claw glabrous;limb apex obtuse-rounded.Stamens exserted,ca.1.4 cm.Ovules 4.Style exserted.Capsule not seen.Fl.Jun?Aug.