Cotula coronopifolia L.
Creators: name: Powell, R. F.
name: Boatwright, J. S.
name: Magee, A. R.
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2014
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Plantae
Tracheophyta
Magnoliopsida
Asterales
Asteraceae
Cotula
Cotula coronopifolia

description: 7. Cotula coronopifolia L., Sp. Pl.: 892 (1753);
DC., Prodr. 78 (1838); Thunb., Fl. Cap. 695 (1823); Spreng. in Linn., Syst. Veg 3: 497 (1826); Harv. in Harv. & Sond., Fl. Cap.3: 178 (1865); Levyns in Adamson & Salter, Fl. Cap. Penins. 161 (1950); Goldblatt & Manning, Cape Pl.: 366 (2000); Manning & Goldblatt, Pl. Gr. C.F.R.: 366 (2012). Lancasia coronopifolia (L.) Rydb., North Amer. Flora 34: 286 (1916).
Type: South Africa. Habitat in ‘Aethopia nunc. In Frisiae in undatis prope Emdon Moehrigio reste’, RCN 6459, Herb. Linn. No. 1014.13 (LINN, lecto. designated by Dillon (1981)).
Cotula montevidensis Spreng. in Linn,. Syst. Veg 3: 497 (1826). Type: Uruguay. Monte Video (P, lecto. -image!, designated here).
Cotula bracteolata E.Mey ex DC., Prodr. 78 (1838); Harv. in Harv. & Sond., Fl. Cap. 3: 179 (1865), syn. nov. Type: South Africa. Western Cape, Cape Town (3318): Paardeneiland (–CD), 1835, Drège 222 (G-DC, lecto. -image!, designated here; P-image!, isolecto.).
Cotula integrifolia Burch. Trav. S. Africa. (1822), syn. nov. Type: without precise locality, 14 Jan 1811, Burchell 515 (K, lecto. -image!, designated here).
Spreading perennial or annual herb. Stems 20–300 mm decumbent, glabrous, spongy, 3.0–6.0 mm in diameter. Leaves alternate, spreading, entire to apically trifid or sometimes regularly pinnate to bi-pinnate (Namaqualand populations), 4.0–55.0 × 6–18 mm; base dilated, forming a prominent sheath around the stem, sheath 4.0–6.0 mm long; lobes 2.5–45.0 × 1.0–5.0 mm, flat, turgid, light to dark green, sometimes purplish, glabrous, apices obtuse, margin entire to irregularly serrate. Capitula heterogamous, disciform, solitary, terminal, pedunculate, peduncle glabrous to sparsely hairy, 3.0–70.0 mm. Involucre hemispherical, 4.0–6.0 × 5.0–10.0 mm, 1-seriate, sometimes 2-seriate; bracts oblong to lanceolate, 3.5–5.0 × 1.0– 1.5 mm, glabrous, green to yellowish brown, opaque, apex and margins scarious, one to three veined, secondary venation obscure. Receptacle flat, epaleate; pedicels linear, 0.4–1.2 mm at anthesis, uniform, attaching to floret apically. Disciform fl orets female, 25 to 30, in single outer series, corolla absent, style 0.25–0.3 mm, ovary marginally winged, glabrous to sparsely hairy on inner face. Disc fl orets bisexual, ca. 35 to 50, corolla 1.4–1.8 mm long, yellow, oblong, tube draped basally over ovary apex, longitudinal resin canals sometimes present, limb slightly wider than tube, 4 lobed; lobes triangular, upright to spreading, dorsally tuburculate, not glandular; anthers 0.5–1.2 mm long (including apical appendages), ecaudate, apical appendages ovate, acute; style terete with thickened base; branches truncate, papillate apically–dorsally; ovary marginally ribbed. Cypselas heteromorphic; disciform cypselas ovoid, ca. 1.2 × 0.9 mm, marginally winged, wings ± equal to width of ovary, base cordate, inner face glabrous to sparsely hairy; disc cypselas ovoid, ca. 1.5 × 0.5 mm, marginally ribbed, glabrous.
Diagnostic characters
Cotula coronopifolia is easily distinguished from the other species, but some specimens from the Northern Cape with bipinnate leaves (Fig. 4.G 3) may be confused with C. bipinnata. Cotula coronopifolia is, however, distinguished by the sheathing leaf bases, spongy stems, decumbent habit with rooting at the nodes (Fig. 1.M), and greater number of disciform florets (25–30) (leaf bases clasping, stems herbaceous, erect with spreading branches and fewer disciform florets (1–14) in C. bipinnata). Cotula coronopifolia is also generally more aquatic and is found submerged in water whereas C. bipinnata occurs along the margins of seasonal pools.
Distribution, ecology and conservation status
C. coronopifolia is widespread in the Northern, Western and Eastern Cape, with isolated populations in Gauteng that may be naturalised (Fig. 11). This species has also become naturalised globally, recorded also in North America, South America and Australia (Cronquist, 1963; Cooke, 1986). It prefers the margins of freshwater or saline pools where it grows in clumps. However, smaller individuals are known to occur in waterlogged soils. This species is listed as LC.
Additional specimens examined
Namibia. 2214 (Swakopmund): Swakop Estuary (–DA), Ward, Koeberg & Erb 9900 (PRE). 2816 (Oranjemund): Namaqualand, Richtersveld, at dam next to Kubus (–BD), Le Roux 3069 (NBG); Kubus (–BD), Hall 597 (NBG); Kubus, Richtersveld (–BD), Pillans 5415 (BOL); Alexander Bay, Orange River mouth estuary (–CB), Le Roux &Ramsey 206 (NBG); South bank of Orange River, 1 km from coast (–CB), O'Callaghan, Van Wyk & Morley 50 (NBG); Orange river estuary (–CB), Ward 12591 (PRE); Pink Pan (–CD), Ward 12280 (PRE). Swarwater, Richtersveld (–DD), Herre 188060 (NBG). 2818 (Warmbad): Nouroep, Great Bushmanland (–DC), Schlechter 30 (BOL).
South Africa. GAUTENG: 2628 (Johannesburg): Leeupan (–AB), Allan 191 (PRE); Alberton Vlei (–AC), Dlomovio 127995 (PRE); Kliprivier (–BB), Dlomovio 127963 (PRE); Springs/Nigel (–BC), Van Eeden 35 (PRE). NORTHERN CAPE: 2817: (Vioolsdrif): Vioolsdrif, Richtersveld National Park, Paradyskloof (–AC), Williamson 5742 (NBG); Large kloof on north side of Lelieshoek (–AC), Oliver, TÖlken & Venter 313 (NBG); Lekkersing, Richtersveld (–CC), Schleiben 11479 (NBG). 2917 (Springbok): Steinkopf (–BA), Van Wyk 6163 (PRE); Namaqualand, N of Springbok, Bulletrap (–BC), Jakubowsky & Mucina 020906/17 (NBG); Komaggas, Namaqualand (–CD), Maguire 401 (NBG); Namaqua National Park (–CD), Steyn 1382 (PRE); Namaqualand, Spektakelberg Pass, Tierhaak (–DA), Mucina 090905/14 (NBG); Bloustasie (–DB), Compton 17228 (NBG); 20 km N of Steinkopf, on road to ‘Vioolsdrif’ (–DB), Botha 3010 (PRE); Springbok (–DB), Pienaar 1175 (PRE); Six miles north of Concordia (–DB), Lewis 3049 (SAM); Namaqualand (–DB), Rosch & le Roux 766 (PRE); Bottom of Wildepaardehoek Pass at Buffelsriver (–DC), Van Jaarsveld 1395 (NBG); Ybeep River, 35 km SSE of Little Rock Caravan Park on Droëdap Road (–DD), Thompson & le Roux 22 (NBG). 2918 (Gamoep): Geogap Nature Reserve (–AC), Van Rooyen 2944 (PRE); Springbok, Goegap Nature Reserve, Tierkloof (–CA), Mucina, Santos Guerra 7221/2 (NBG); Between Gameop and Aggenys, south of Springbok (–DC), Koekemoer 2025A (PRE). 3017 (Hondeklipbaai): Namaqualand, Farm Koingaas 475 on road from Hondeklipbaai to Koingaas (–AB), Le Roux 346 (NBG); Namaqualand, road of Hondeklipbaai to Wallekraal (–AD), Mucina & Jakubowsky 040906/17 (NBG); On Hill east of Hondeklipbaai (–AD), Pillans 18095 (BOL); Kamieskroon (–BB), Compton 11391, 11396 (NBG); Namaqualand, Kamieskroon, Arakoop farm (–BB), Le Roux & Mucina s.n. (PRE); Namaqualand, Kamieskroon, at road to Skilpad, Haasrivier (–BB), Mucina & Jakubowsky 010906/03 (NBG); Namaqualand, Kamieskroon, at road to Skilpad, at the river (–BB), Mucina & Jakubowsky 010906/09 (NBG); Namaqualand, Kamieskroon, Ellenboogfontein Farm (–BB), Jakubowsky 130907/30 (NBG); Bowesdorp, Kamieskroon (–BB), Matthews 30741 (BOL); Horeesriver, Namaqualand (–BC), Pillans 18097 (BOL); Klipfontein (–BD), Bolus 6539, 1189 (BOL); Groen River mouth (–DC), Le Roux & Ramsey 315 (NBG). 3018 (Kamiesberg): Kamiesberg Mountains, Farm Damsland (–AC), Snijman 2199 (NBG); Khamiesberg Plateau, Namaqualand (–AC), Pearson 6238 (NBG), 3235 (BOL); Namaqualand, Farm Kootjiesfontein 414 (–AD), Le Roux 4324 (NBG). 3019 (Loeriesfontein): 34 km north of Loeriesfontein (–CD), Crosby 827A (PRE). 3022 (Carnavon): Carnovon (–CC), Acocks 14361 (PRE). 3023 (Britstown): Alicedale (–AD), Bruden 308 (PRE). 3025 (Colesburg): Middelberg (–CB), Theron 33 (PRE). Drooge River, Middelberg (–CB), Gill 164 (PRE). 3119 (Calvinia): Leipoldtville (–AB), Oberdieck 464 (PRE); ± 12 km NW of Nieuwoudtville (–AC), Helme 5850 (NBG); Along the Rondekop road between Nieuwoudtville and Calvinia (–AD), Koekemoer 2718A (PRE); Bloukransberge E of escarpment on farm ‘Kneu’ (–BD), Thompson 2510 (NBG); Hantam Mountain (–BD), Germishuizen 4031 (PRE). Farm ‘Papkuisfontein’ SE of Nieuwoudtville (–CA), Snijman 902 (NBG). 3121 (Fraserburg): Grootfontein farm (–AA), Germishuizen 6514 (PRE); Bamburgers Hoogte (–DC), Hugo 266 (NBG). 3122 (Loxton): “Blaauspits”, ± 40 km West of Victoria West (–BC), Hugo 316 (NBG). 3123 (Victoria West): Below reservoir, Victoria West (–AC), Smith 2398 (PRE). 3220 (Williston): Roggeveld, Soekop, Rooipunt (–AA), RÖsch 692, Van der Merwe HR 692 (NBG); Roggeveld, Soekop, old Soekop ruins (–AA), RÖsch 199 (NBG); Sutherland (–AC), Van Breda 2622 (PRE); Kruisrivier, 17 miles East of Sutherland (–BD), Hugo 244 (NBG); Roggeveld Escarpment, Farm Erf 1 (–BC), Cloete & Haselau 51 (NBG); Farm ‘De Plaat’ Blikhuis River, Gaansbaai to Struisbaai (–DD), Fellingham 1408 (NBG). WESTERN CAPE: 3118 (Vanryhnsdorp): Bitterfontein (–AB), Bond 1092 (NBG); Luiperskop 211 (–BC), Schmiedel 116887 (NBG). 3217 (Vredenburg): Jacobsbaai, 3 km south and 40 km from the sea (–DD), Claassens & Claassens, CR 3987 (NBG); Middelpos farm, Saldanah (–DD), Boucher 6012 (PRE). 3218 (Clanwilliam): on hillside overlooking Lambert's Bay (–AB), Leach 16213 (NBG); Elandsbay, Verloerenvlei, Grootdrif Farm (–AD), Bean 9351 (BOL); Past Sandberg on road to Witels kloof (–BC), Hugo 674 (NBG); Langvlei (–BC), Maguire 423 (NBG); Berg River, south bank of Berg River, ± 700 m below Carolinus Bridge (–CC), O'Callaghan 1481 (NBG); Die Mond, Berg River (–CC), O'Callaghan 1474 (NBG); Berg River, 400 m above Carinus Bridge (–CC), O'Callaghan 1493 (NBG); Berg River, eastern bank 4.3 km below Carinus Bridge (–CC), O'Callaghan 1486 (NBG); West Coast, Veldrif, Berg River estuary, at bridge of Berg River (–CC), Steffen & KÖcke 190406/14 (NBG); Berg River flats between Kersefontein and Berg River station (–CD), Boucher 2856 (NBG); Berg River (–CD), Magee, Powell & Boatwright 1027 (NBG); Near Sauer (–DC), Compton 5781 (NBG); The Pools, Piketberg (–DD), Compton 6883 (NBG); Berg River at N7 (–DD), Watson & Panero 94–26 (NBG). 3219 (Wuppertal): Cederberg (–CA), Van Rooyen, Steyn & de Villiers 666 (NBG); Citrusdal (–CA), Compton 16157 (NBG); Skoongesig Ceres, Koue–bokkeveld (–CC), Hanekom 1030 (NBG); Houdenbeck river dam system on Excelsior farm (–CD), Hugo 2275 (NBG); Knolfontein, Swartruggens, 60 km NE of Ceres (–DC), Jardine & Jardine 670, 991, Jardine 1632 (NBG). 3221 (Merweville): Fisanterivier, 40 km east of Sutherland (–AC), Moffet 3764 (NBG); Aarfontein farm between Sutherland and Fraserburg. (–AD), Moffet 3694 (NBG); Bok se plaas, c 60 km S of Fraserburg (–BA), Moffet & Steensma 4020 (BOL); Layton (–BB), Shearing 1069, 238, 602 (PRE). 3222 (Beaufort West): Courlandskloof (–BB), Pearson 2038 (SAM). 3317 (Saldanha): Dassen Island, Saldanha (–BB), Brooke 15, 16 (BOL). 3318 (Cape Town): Cape Flats Nature Reserve (–AB), Low 748 (NBG), Andrea 58407 (SAM); Darling Flora Reserve (–AD), Lewis 5043, Winkler 155 (NBG); Darling (–AD), Bocquet 17863 (PRE); West Coast, Darling, road between Malmesbury and Darling, near Wylands (–AD), Mucina & Jakubowsky 040806/04B (NBG); Tienie Versveld (–AD), Magee, Powell & Boatwright 1024 (NBG); Riebeek–Kasteel (–BD), Ebrahim CR8098 (NBG); Mamre Hills (–CB), Compton 9830 (NBG); Rugby, Milnerton (–CD), TÖlken 447 (NBG); Paarden Island (–CB), Levyns 5157 (BOL); Mamre (–CB), Marloth 6611 (PRE); On an old jetty at the North Quay (–CD), Marloth 12203 (NBG); Green Point (–CD), Thode 5849 (NBG); Black river marsh in grounds of Royal Observatory (–CD), Davis 58408 (SAM); Kenilworth Race Course (–CD), Esterhuysen 34066 (BOL); Roadside, Rhodes' Hostel, Mowbray (–CD), M.M. Page s.n. (BOL); Marshy ground, mouth of the Salt River (–CD), Pillans 3001 (BOL); Common on banks of Black River at Raapenberg (–CD). Pillans 3201 (BOL); Intaka Island (–CD), Magee & Powell, 1030 (NBG); Spenglersdrift near Klipheuwel (–DA), Thompson 2607 (NBG); Van Schoorsdrif, near pool (–DA), Barker 4803 (NBG); Paardeberg between Wellington and Malmesbury, next to road to Botterkloof Farm (–DB), Nicolson & Roets 490 (NBG). 3319 (Worcester): Saron (–AA), Schlecther 10606 (PRE); Dam 10 km east of Ceres on road from Touwrivier (–AD), Mauve, Reid & Wikner 277 (NBG); Laakenvlei (–AD), Phillips 1914 (SAM); Ceres Road Station (–AD), Gillene 3390 (BOL); Tanqua Karoo, Karooport, rest place S of turnoff to Ghwarieberg (–BA), Jakubowsky & Mucina 210906/19 (NBG); Worcester Pools (–CB), Compton 16310 (NBG); French Hoek (–CC), Smith 2629 (PRE); Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve (–DD), Van der Merwe 2453 (PRE). 3320 (Montagu): Bavians River, Laingsberg (–BA), Compton 3218 (BOL). 3321 (Ladismith): Muiskraal in Klein Karoo (–CC), Bohnen 8750 (NBG). 3322 (Oudtshoorn): Prince Albert (–AA), Bolus s.n. (BOL); Matjiesfontein (–AB), Foley 100 (PRE); Botterkraal (–AB), Zietsman 1637 (PRE); Wilderness, in streams (–DC), Compton 10690 (NBG); Wilderness, Touws River estuary, close to N2 bridge (–DC), Mucina 060506/38 (NBG); Swartvlei (–DC), Guilarnod, Saenoir & Shaw 17088 (PRE); George Eiland (–DC), Glen 623 (PRE); Wilderness National Park, Langvlei (–DC), Russell 644 (PRE); Fairy Knowe (–DC), Mogg 11880 (PRE); Ruigte Vlei, southern shore (–DD), Fourcade 1572 (NBG); Aardoorns Farm (–DD), Retief & Reid 112 (PRE). 3418: (Simonstown): Miller's Point (–AB), Gillett 3456 (NBG); Slopes from Miller Pt. to W. top (–AB), Gillett 3456 (BOL); Rondevlei (–AB), Middlemiss s.n. (NBG); Chapman's Bay (–AB), Lewis 94 (SAM); Muizenberg (–AB), M.R. Mitchell s.n. (BOL); Noordhoek salt pan (–AB), Walker 67 (BOL); Mountains between Fish Hoek and Simonstown (–AB), Hutchinson 91 (BOL); Smitswinkel (–AD), Margin s.n. (NBG); Seekoei River mouth (–BA), Parsons 15 (NBG); Cape Flats (–BA), Marloth 13728 (NBG); Isoetes Vlei (–BA), Gubb, 130 (NBG); Cape Flats, near German church (–BA), Pearson 45 (NBG); Wynberg flats between German Church and Golf Links (–BA), Capon s.n. (BOL); Eersteriver (–BA), Strey 869 (PRE). 3419 (Caledon): Riversonderend River, Caledon District, Middelpos farm between Theewaterskloof Dam/Greyton, at crossing over river (–AB), Boucher 5963 (NBG); Kleinmond (–AC), De Vos 383 (NBG); Overberg, Fisherhaven, Sundown Bay near the mouth of the Botrivier Lagoon (–AC), Mucina 311206/01 (NBG); Overstrand Municipality, Kleinmond, lagoon S of bank (–AC), Mucina & Jakubowsky 250206/07 (NBG); Hermanus, bay on cliff (–AD), Mc fi llet 511 (NBG). Mossel River (–AD), Potto 4995 (SAM); Hermanus, Kleinrivier Lagoon (–AD), Steffen & Mucina 230406/13 (NBG); Boesmanskloof Pass, Robertson (–BB), Esterhuysen 4480 (BOL); Zoutendal's vlei on road from Gansbaai to Struisbaai (–DB) Van Wyk 904 (PRE). 3420: (Bredasdorp): De Hoop, Potberg Nature Reserve (–AD), Burgers 2117 (NBG); Potberg, 4 km of residence (–AD), Burgers 2462 (NBG); Bredasdorp flats (–CA), Compton 9039 (NBG), Esterhuysen 2960 (BOL). 3421: (Riverdale): Riversdale (–AB), Schlechter 1864 (BOL); Duivenshoks River, 1 km form mouth (–AC), Boucher 2679 (NBG); Still Bay Olive Grove Farm (–AD), Bohnen 5811 (NBG); Bank of Goukou river (–AD), Willis 269 (PRE); Stilbaai (–AD), Horn 649 (PRE). 3422 (Mossel Bay): George, ± 1.5 km from mouth of Gwaing River (–AB), O'Callaghan, Fellingham & Van Wyk, 193 (NBG); Mouth of George River (–AB), Pillans 5579 (BOL); Salt marsh near old bridge, Knysna (–AB), Duthie 896 (BOL); Montagu Pass, George (–AB), Fourcade 1595 (BOL); Ruigtevlei (–BB), Fourcade 1572 (BOL); Goukamma River (–BB), Phillips s.n. (PRE). 3423 (Knysna): Near Woodbourne, Knysna (–AA), Dultie s.n. (NBG); Noetsi River, east side of river (–AA), O'Callaghan, Fellingham & Van Wyk 44 (NBG); Salt marsh, Belvidere, Knysna (–AA), Duthie 896a (BOL); Banks of Keurboom River, Knysna (–AB), Fourcade 1068 (BOL); Knysna (–AB), Breyer 23561 (PRE); Tsitsikamma National Park, Stormsrivier, Otter Trail, close to waterfall (–BB), Steffen & KÖcke S&K2700406/02 (NBG), Botha 110 (PRE). EASTERN CAPE: 3026 (Aliwal North): Aliwal North (–DA), Gertwener 3 (PRE). 3129 (Port St. Johns): Port St. Johns (–DA), Flanagan 1896 (PRE). Mntafufu (–DA), Ward 8730 (PRE). 3223 (Rietborn): Gwarriespoort area (–AD), Bester 4143 (PRE); Kalkdam Farm (–CD), Retief & Reid 318 (PRE). 3224 (Graaff–Reinet): Moist places, River bed, Graaff– Reinet (–BC), Bolus, 202 (BOL); Graaf Reinet (–BC), Thode 386 (PRE). 3227 (Stutterheim): Buffalo River (–CD), Lewis 19796 (PRE). 3228(Butterworth): Dwessa forest (–BD), Linder 1203 (PRE); Ntafufu River mouth (–BD), Marais 1231 (PRE); Kei River mouth (–CB), Blanasar 1120 (NBG); Kei River (–CB), Flanagan 38773 (SAM); Seashore near Kei Mouth (–CB), Flanagan 1120 (BOL). 3323 (Willowmore): Joubertina on R23 westwards (–DB), Nienaber EN875 (PRE); Salt River mouth, Nature's Valley (–DC), Parsons 207 (NBG); Groot (wes) River mouth, Nature's Valley (–DC), Parsons 160 (NBG). 3324 (Steytlerville): Noorsveld (–AD), Van Wyk 32 (PRE); Paarde Poort (–BD), Bolus 202 (BOL). 3325(Port Elizabeth): Jeffrey's Bay, Gamtoos River estuary (–CC), Jakbowsky 060506/23, 070506/11 (NBG); Area between Maitland and Sea View (–CD), Olivier 2212 (PRE); Redhouse (–DC), Paterson 556 (NBG); Zwartkops river (–DC), Ecklon & Zeyher 2815, 38774 (SAM); Perseverance, Zwartkops River (–DC), Glen 834 (BOL); Sunridge Park (–DC), Dahlstrand 545 (PRE). 3326 (Grahamstown): Rynton, 17 miles from Grahamstown on road to Adelaide (–BA), Marais 547 (PRE); Slaaikraal, 6 miles west of Grahamstown (–BC), Mauve & Webb 27 (PRE); Grahamstown (–BC), Britten 580 (PRE); Blaauwkrantz stream tributary (–BC), Guillarmod 7879 (PRE); 3 miles east of Grahamstown (–BC), Story 2761 (PRE); Alexandria, Klipfontein Farm (–CB), Marais 4532 (PRE). 3424 (Humansdorp): Tsitsikamma Seekuspark (–AA), Venter 8681 (PRE); Slang Pass (–BA), Pillans 3377 (PRE); Jeffrey's Bay, Ashton Bay, parking lot at the Seekoei River mouth (–BB), Mucina 7288/6 (NBG). 3425 (Skoenmakerskop): St. Francis Bay (–AA), Brand 268 (PRE). Precise locality unknown Calvinia, Schlechter 10898 (BOL). Hex River Valley, Tyson 38776 (SAM).
description: Published as part of Powell, R. F., Boatwright, J. S. & Magee, A. R., 2014, A taxonomic revision of the Cotula coronopifolia group (Asteraceae) and implications for the conservation statuses of the species *, pp. 105-117 in South African Journal of Botany 93 on pages 114-115, DOI: 10.1016/j.sajb.2014.03.008, http://zenodo.org/record/10496967