Sphaeranthus spp.

Nimbalkar, Varsha V., Sharma, Oshin A., Girdhari, Milind M. & Sardesai, Milind M., 2021, Sphaeranthus gomphrenoides (Compositae): New record to Asia with its identity, typification, and distribution, Phytotaxa 514 (3), pp. 295-300 : 298

Key to the Indian Sphaeranthus spp. (adopted from Kumar 1995)

1a. Stems not winged .................................................................................................................................................... S. amaranthoides

1b. Stems winged...................................................................................................................................................................................... 2

2a. Bracts of each capitulum strictly 4, i.e. one acuminate involucre bract, two lateral inwardly-folded bracts and one adaxial bract with a truncate apex, narrowing towards base; outer female florets strictly four .................................................. S. gomphrenoides

2b. Bracts of each capitulum 6–15, morphology of the bracts not as above, all monomorphic; outer female florets 8–40 .................... 3

3a. Glomerules greenish white ............................................................................................................................................... S. africanus

3b. Glomerules purple .............................................................................................................................................................................. 4

4a. Leaves double-dentate and with stalked glands .................................................................................................................. S. indicus

4b. Leaves single dentate and with sessile glands............................................................................................................. S. senegalensis