Pectis prostrata
spreading chinchweed, spreading cinchweed
prostrate to ascending (often mat-forming, densely leafy, especially distally), puberulent (in lines or throughout).
linear to narrowly oblanceolate, 10–40 × 1.5–7 mm, margins with 4–12 pairs of setae 1–3 mm, faces glabrous (abaxial densely dotted with round oil-glands 0.1–0.3 mm).
1–2 mm.
campanulate, cylindric, or ellipsoid.
5;
corollas 2.5–3.5 mm (scarcely surpassing phyllaries).
3–17;
corollas 1.8–2.5 mm (2-lipped).
coherent (falling together), oblong to obovate, 5–8 × 1–3 mm (often dotted in submarginal rows and sometimes along midribs with elliptic oil-glands 0.1–0.3 mm).
borne singly or in congested, (leafy) cymiform arrays.
2.5–4.5 mm, strigillose;
pappi of 2 (ray) or 5 (disc) lanceolate scales 1.5–2.5 mm.
= 24.
Pectis prostrata
The development of roads and highways has created ideal habitats for Pectis prostrata. Its range appears to be expanding along the coasts of Florida; it was discovered in Louisiana relatively recently. It can be expected to spread along the Gulf Coast and perhaps northward along the Atlantic Coast as well. Autogamy has apparently assisted P. prostrata to spread rapidly as suitable new habitats have become available.
(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)
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