Aciphylla indurata

Features

Slender sparse-leaved tufted herb, taproot deeply descending, stem stout, up to 60 cm tall. Leaves about 30 cm long, pinnate; pinnae 3-foliolate or the lowest again pinnate. Sheaths approximately 50 x 10 mm, thin, tapering to spinous-pointed; stipules up to 20 mm long (stipules occasionally vestigial). Petioles 30-50 mm long; midrib stout, winged; lower internodes 20-30 mm long, midrib prominent. Primary pinnae usually 3-6 pairs, up to approximately 150 mm long. Terminal leaflet up to 140 x 5-8 mm, striate, with strong reddish to yellow midrib; margins thickened, serrulate-crenulate, apex pungent. Flowering stems of male plants stout, up to 60cm x 10 mm including stout oblong inflorescence up to 30 cm long. Bracts numerous, sheaths up to 40 mm x 14 mm; stipules rigid, approximately 10 mm long; lamina usually simple, approximately 50 x 2-3 mm. Umbels on very slender primary rays approximately 10 mm long; umbellules up to 5 mm diameter, on few capillary rays. Flowering stems of female plants up to 60 cm x 10 mm; inflorescence more compact. Bract-sheaths approximately 40 x 10 mm; stipules up to 10 x 2 mm, gradually narrowed to pungent apex; lamina on petiole up to 10 mm long, with a pair of 3-foliolate leaflets, somewhat squarrose; longest leaflet up to 40 mm long. Umbels numerous, roughly concealed by bracts. Fruit approximately 3-4 mm long.