Podolepis
(from pous, podos, a foot, and lepis, a scale; referring to the scaly flower-head stalks). SYN. Scalia. Including Panaetia and Stylolepis. ORD. Compositae. A genus comprising twelve species of greenhouse or hardy, annual or perennial, Australian herbs. Flower-heads yellow, pink, or purple, hetero-gamous, terminal, pedunculate or rarely sessile; involucre hemispherical or rarely ovoid; receptacle flat, without scales; ray florets few or numerous, in a single row. Leaves alternate, lanceolate or linear, entire, often stem-clasping. The under-mentioned species are those best known to cultivation. They are generally treated as annuals, and are well adapted for beds in a position fully exposed to the sun. A light and well-drained soil is most suitable. Seeds should be sown in April, in a gentle heat, and the seedlings transferred to the open air in June, about 1ft. apart. A sowing can also be made in the open during May or June, thinning out to 1ft. apart. P. aristata makes a very pretty subject for pot culture. P. acuminata (taper-pointed). fl.-heads yellow, the florets exceeding the involucre; involucral bracts scarious. Summer. l. petiolate, oblong or lanceolate, smaller upwards and clasping the stem. h. 1 1/2ft. Hardy annual. SYNS. P. rugata (R. G. 320), Scalia jaceoides (B. M. 956). P. aristata (awned).* fl.-heads golden-yellow, with small, pink ray florets. Summer. l. linear or lanceolate, stem-clasping, and often decurrent. h. 1ft. This hardy annual species closely resembles P. acuminata, but has its involucral bracts usually terminated by a fine bristle. SYN. P. chrysantha. P. chrysantha (golden-flowered). A synonym of P. aristata. P. gracilis (slender).* fl.-heads purple, lilac, or white; peduncles usually rather long. August. l. linear or lanceolate, stem-clasping, and often decurrent. h. 3ft. 1826. This pretty perennial species is a much more delicate plant than either of the preceding. (B. M. 2904; S. B. F. G. 285.) P. rugata (wrinkled). A synonym of P. acuminata.
