Sphaeranthus lecomteanus O. Hoffmann & Muschler.

Stems 20-90 cm tall, usually robust, densely pubescent, ascending, branched, winged, wings dentate. Cauline leaves usually oblong, 3-10 × 1-3.5 cm, both surfaces densely lanate, base narrowed, margin with densely spinelike denticles, apex obtuse. Clusters of capitula globose or ovoid, 11-18 × 9-10 mm; peduncle pubescent. Capitula campanulate. Phyllaries 9-14, subequal, outer ones linear-lanceolate, 4-4.5 mm, densely pubescent. Receptacle naked. Marginal florets 7-12; corolla tubular, ca. 2.5 mm; style apex obtuse. Central florets 2-5; corolla 3-3.5 mm, 5-dentate; base of anthers entire, filaments dilated, glabrous; style cylindric, shortly bifid. Achenes cylindric, ca. 1 mm, gland-dotted, without pappus. Fl. Dec-Apr. 2n = 20.

Roadsides, thickets, riverbanks; 600-1300 m. Yunnan [tropical Africa and Asia].