Flora of Dominica, Part 2 - Smithsonian Institution Libraries

NUMBER 77 ASTERACEAE 39
Cote d'Or (Nicolson 2062), Hatton Garden (Hodge 3288), La
Chaudiere (Hodge 3694), Lisdara (Hodge 2423), Mt. Joy
(Hodge 1279), Petit Coulibri (Whirefoord 4676), Ridgefield
(Hodge 2149), South Chiltern (Hodge I495), Sylvania (Cooper
11, Hodge 1031).
Adjanohoun et al. (198577, pl. 43) reported use against
diarrhea.
Although I have not seen the types of Domin's varieties, I
doubt that the differences (bracts surpassing or equaling the
capitula vs. bracts shorter than the capitula) is significant.
Emilia Cassini
1. Lower leaves entire to dentate; involucre broadly cylindric
(2x longer than broad), about 3/4 corolla length; flowers
brick red . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . , . . . E. fosbergii
1. Lower leaves lyrate; involucre narrowly cylindric (3x
longer than broad), f equaling corolla length, flowers pale
purple . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E. sonchifolia
Emilia fosbergu
Emilia fmbergii Nicolson, 1975:34; 1981b:395.
Herb to 1 m; leaves alternate and basal, strongly dentate;
peduncles 15-30 cm long; involucre 1-seriate; receptacle
naked; florets tubular, brick red, distinctly longer than
involucre; corolla lobes 1.1-1.5 mm long: pappus of many
soft, white bristles.
A widespread weed probably of African origin (allopolyploid),
widely collected in neotropics since 1880; in
disturbed areas (often in ditches) of Dominica, usually about
500 m but sometimes near sea level: Baiac (Whitefoord 3835),
La Ronde (King 6366). Lisdara (Hodge 728, 2437), Mero
(Chambers 2785), Milton (Hodge 2928), Morne Jack (Nicolson
2093, Pont Casse (Chambers 271 7, Ernst 1239), Ridgefield
(Hodge 2162), Roseau (Hodge 725), South Chiltern (Ernst
1863, Hodge 1474), Springfield (King 6346, Wilbur 7681),
Sylvania (Cooper 23 (mixed with sonchifoliu), Hodge 1135),
Tete Morne (King 6324), Trafalgar Falls Road (Whitefoord
4698).
This taxon was often called Emilia coccinea, a different,
sometimes cultivated species with broad heads and orange
florets almost 2x the bracts. Adjanohoun et al. (1985:77, pl. 44)
misnamed this species as E. coccineu, infused for a refreshing
drink.
Emilia sonchlfolia
Emilia sonchifolia (Linnaeus) A.P. Candolle in Wight, 183424.--Domin,
193Od:82.-Nicolson, 1981b:398.
Cacalia sonchifolia Linnaeus, 1753:835.
Herb to 5 dm; lower leaves lyrate; peduncles to 15 cm long;
florets pale purple (mauve or violet), equaling involucre;
corolla lobes 0.5-0.7 mm long.
Probably originally South Asian and now pantropically
distributed, weed in Dominica usually of lower elevations but
sometimes to 500 m: Clarke Hall (Chambers 2749), Grand Bay
road (Ernst 1601), Layou (Hodge 727), Marigot (Hodge 720,
Mome Plaisance (Whitefoord 61 71), Salybia (Hodge 3383,
Sylvania (Cooper 23 (mixed withfosbergii), Hodge 1134).
Adjanohoun et al. (198579, pl. 45) reported use of an
infusion "for its refreshing properties."
Erechtites Rafinesque
1. Pappus white, florets yellowish; leaves sessile or, if shortly
petiolate, petiole conspicuously alate . . E. hieracilfolia
1. Pappus and florets pinkish; leaves petioled or only
inconspicuously alate . . . . . . . . . . E. valerianlfolia
Erechtites hieracilfolia
Erechtites hieraciifolia (Linnaeus) Rafinesque ex A.P. Candolle, 1838,6:294,
"hieracifolia".-Domin. 1930d:82--Belcher, 195612.
Senecw hieraciifdius Linnaeus, 1753:866, "hieracifolius."
Erechtites hieraciCfolia var. cacalwides
Erechtites hieraciifolia var. cacalioides (Sprengel) Lessing ex Grisebach,
1861:381.
Sonchus agrestir Swam, 1788:llO.
Senecw cacalwides Fischer ex Sprengel, 1818:37.
Erechtites cacalioides (Sprengel) Lessing. 1832:395.
Erechtites agrestir (Swartz) Standley & Steyermark, 1947265.
Medium annual herbs; leaves alternate, lanceolate, serrate to
irregularly dentate or lobed; involucre with principle bracts in
1 series, subtended by scattered bracteoles; receptacle naked;
marginal florets pistillate; disk florets bisexual; achenes with a
copious, white, capillary pappus.
Neotropical, a weed in the Old World, often confused with
African Crassocephalum crepidioides (Bentham) S. Moore;
occasional in disturbed habitats of Dominica at low to
mid-elevations: Carib Reserve (Hodge 3393), above Deux
Branches (Ernst 1663, Layou (Hodge 779, Lisdara (Hodge
2475), Sylvania (Hodge 781, 782).
Erechtites valerian ffolia
Erechtites valerianifolia (Sprengel) A.P. Candolle, 1838, 6:294, "valerianaefdia"
.-Belcher, 195625.
Senecio ualerianifolius Link ex Sprengel, 1826,3:565. "valerianaefoliur."
Leaves usually ovate in outline, lower leaves coarsely
irregularly dentate, medial and upper leaves deeply pinnatifid;
florets and pappus with distinct pink or mauve tinge.
Widespread, sometimes aggressive weed; common in Dominica:
Carib Reserve (Hodge 3379), Fond Baron (king 6302).
Freshwater Lake (Wilbur 7465), Grand Bay road (Erst 1592),
La Chaudibre (Hodge 3697), Laudat (Hodge 1840, Lloyd 44,
49), Lisdara (Hodge 776), Morne Anglais base (Hodge 780),