Podolepis robusta | |
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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
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Binomial name | |
Podolepis robusta | |
Synonyms [1] | |
Podolepis longipedata var. robusta Maiden & Betche |
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]
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]
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]
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]