Sheepbur (Acanthospermum australe, Revis. Gen. Pl. 1: 303 (1891))

Family: Asteraceae

Author: (Loefl.) Kuntze

Bibliography: Revis. Gen. Pl. 1: 303 (1891)

Year: 1891

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Acanthospermum

Vegetable: False

Observations: S. Caribbean to S. Trop. America

Description

Sheepbur, scientifically recognized as Acanthospermum australe, is a notable member of the Asteraceae family. The plant’s nomenclatural history can be traced back to its publication in “Revis. Gen. Pl.” in 1891 by Otto Kuntze, who formalized its classification based on prior work by Loefling. This plant exhibits a robust geographical distribution, flourishing from the southern regions of the Caribbean to the warm, humid environs of southern tropical America.

Acanthospermum australe thrives in diverse habitats within these regions, often identified by its distinctive floral structure typical of the Asteraceae family. The species has adapted well to its environment, demonstrating resilience in varying climatic conditions, and contributing to the rich biodiversity of the locales it inhabits.

The presence of Sheepbur across such a wide area highlights its ecological versatility and significance within its native range. This plant not only adds to the floral diversity but also supports the local ecosystems, playing a role in the intricate web of interactions among various plant and animal species. Its study provides valuable insights into the dynamics of tropical and subtropical flora and aids in understanding the evolutionary adaptations that enable plant survival and propagation in these regions.

Common Names

Eng: paraguay-bur, paraguay-starbur, paraguayan starbur, paraguayan starburr, sheepbur, southern starbur, spiny-bur, paraguay starbur
Por: carrapicho
En: Sheepbur, Paraguay-bur, Paraguay-starbur, Spiny-bur, Paraguayan starbur, Rough chaff flower, Creeping starbur, Feso, Prostrate starbur, Paraguayan starburr, Southern starbur, Paraguay starbur, Guay Greenstripe, Paraguay starburr, Southern starburr
Af: Haak-en-steek bossie, Lang kafkilts
Zh: 刺苞果
Fr: Herbe-savane
Gn: Tapekue
Pt: Carrapicho
Zh-tw: 刺苞果
Zh-hant: 刺苞果

Synonyms

• Acanthospermum hirsutum (DC.)
• Acanthospermum xanthioides var. acutifolium (DC.)
• Acanthospermum xanthioides var. obtusifolium (DC.)
• Orcya adhaerens (Vell.)
• Acanthospermum brasilium (Schrank)
• Acanthospermum xanthioides ((Kunth) DC.)
• Melampodium australe (Loefl.)
• Centrospermum xanthioides (Kunth)

Distribution

• Argentina Northeast (native)
• Argentina Northwest (native)
• Bolivia (native)
• Brazil North (native)
• Brazil Northeast (native)
• Brazil South (native)
• Brazil Southeast (native)
• Brazil West-Central (native)
• Colombia (native)
• French Guiana (native)
• Guyana (native)
• Paraguay (native)
• Peru (native)
• Suriname (native)
• Uruguay (native)
• Venezuela (native)
• Venezuelan Antilles (native)
• Windward Is. (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Angola (introduced)
• Arkansas (introduced)
• Cameroon (introduced)
• Cape Provinces (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• Georgia (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• KwaZulu-Natal (introduced)
• Louisiana (introduced)
• Malaya (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Mississippi (introduced)
• Mozambique (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• North Carolina (introduced)
• Northern Provinces (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• South Carolina (introduced)
• Swaziland (introduced)
• Tennessee (introduced)
• Texas (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)
• Zambia (introduced)
• Zaïre (introduced)
• Zimbabwe (introduced)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Leaf

Taken Feb 26, 2017 by Thiago Flores Flores (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 26, 2017 by Thiago Flores Flores (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 26, 2017 by Thiago Flores Flores (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 26, 2017 by Thiago Flores Flores (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 26, 2017 by Thiago Flores Flores (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Feb 26, 2017 by Thiago Flores Flores (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 26, 2017 by Thiago Flores Flores (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 26, 2017 by Thiago Flores Flores (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 26, 2017 by Thiago Flores Flores (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 26, 2017 by Thiago Flores Flores (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Bart Wursten (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Forest & Kim Starr (cc-by)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Marcia Stefani (cc-by)

Taken Oct 7, 2019 by JP Corrêa Carvalho (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 9, 2010 by EOL − Mauricio Mercadante (cc-by-nc-sa)

Bark

Taken Aug 14, 2019 by Quyền Nguyễn Hùng (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − W. L. Wagner (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − W. L. Wagner (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − W. L. Wagner (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − فوريست & كيم ستار (cc-by)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Bart Wursten (cc-by-nc)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3100364)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:1692-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Acanthospermum australe (Loefl.) Kuntze)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Forb/herb

Growth