Hymenostephium anomalum

Endemic to Colombia, this herb in the daisy family has slender stems covered with spreading hairs when young. Its opposite, oval leaves have pointed tips, finely toothed margins and rough surfaces. Loosely branched clusters at the stem tips carry about 20 to 40 small flowerheads. Each head combines five outer ray florets with small tubular flowers in the central disc. The smooth, black, dry fruits are topped by two slender bristles. In Colombia, it grows between about 5,600 and 8,550 feet. Photographed in Tolima, Colombia.