Botanical art
Prior names
Eclipta platyglossa
Wollastonia ecliptoides, nom.inval.
Common names
Yellow Twin-heads
Etymology
Eclipta from the Greek 'ekleipo' meaning to be lacking, alluding to the achenes of some species which are without a pappus or wings. Platyglossa from the Greek 'platys' meaning broad and 'glossa' meaning a tongue.
Distribution and status
Found mainly along the Murray River and in the upper South-east in South Australia with scattered collections north to the Gammon Ranges growing on heavy soils along streams and in areas subject to flooding. Also found in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. Native. Common in South Australia. Common in the other States.
Herbarium regions: Flinders Ranges, Eyre Peninsula, Northern Lofty, Murray, Southern Lofty, South Eastern, Green Adelaide
AVH map: SA distribution map (external link)
Plant description
Prostrate to ascending annual or biennial herb to 25 cm high with stems rooting at nodes; glabrous or with sparse appressed hairs. Leaves narrow-lanceolate to 70 mm long and 7 mm wide; surfaces with appressed hairs. Flower-heads small solitary yellow daisy-flower in leaf axils. Flowering between December and April. Fruits are brown drooping head. Seeds are brown oblong seed to 3 mm long and 0.9 mm wide, with scattered tuberculate surface. Seed embryo type is spatulate.
Seed collection and propagation
Collect seeds between March and June. Collect mature seed heads that are dried and turning brown by picking off the heads. Mature seeds should come off easily. Place the heads in a tray for a week to dry. Then rub the heads gently with your hands or a rubber bung to dislodge the seeds. Use a sieve to separate the unwanted material. Store the seeds with a desiccant such as dried silica beads or dry rice, in an air tight container in a cool and dry place. Seeds are non-dormant, viable seed should germinate readily.