蜡菊 la ju

Xeranthemum bracteatum Ventenat, Jard. Malmaison, t. 2. 1803; Bracteantha bracteata (Ventenat) Anderberg & Haegi; Helichrysum bracteatum (Ventenat) Haworth.

Herbs, annual or biennial. Stems 20-120 cm tall. Leaves lanceolate to linear, up to 12 cm, costa prominent, base gradually narrower, margin entire, apex acute. Capitula 2-5 cm in diam., solitary on strong, branching stems. Phyllaries imbricate, outer ones shorter, inner ones broadly lanceolate, apex acuminate, nitid, white, red, yellow, pink, or purple. Florets numerous, yellow. Achenes glabrous. Pappus of scabrid bristles. Fl. Jul-Sep. 2n = 28.

Widely cultivated in China as an ornamental plant [native to Australia].