Ceralis

Ceralis is a genus of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae. It is native to arid and semi-arid regions of the southern continents, where it occupies scrub and rocky habitats. The genus was first described by botanist L. M. Hart in 1968 and includes several species adapted to dry conditions. Members of Ceralis are typically herbaceous perennials or annuals with erect stems, leaves that are simple to lobed, and inflorescences consisting of heads with yellow to orange ray florets surrounding a central disk of florets.

The type species is Ceralis cerata, and other described species include Ceralis arida, Ceralis montana, and Ceralis littoralis. Traits common to the genus include drought tolerance, a shallow root system, and seed production via small, light-weight achenes equipped with a pappus for wind dispersal. Flowering generally occurs in spring and early summer following seasonal rains.

Ecology: Ceralis species are pollinated by native bees and butterflies. They contribute to forage for pollinators in arid ecosystems and can stabilize soils when established in appropriate habitats.

Cultivation and uses: Some species are grown as xerophytic ornamentals in drought-tolerant gardens, though they are not widely cultivated for commercial agriculture. In the landscape trade, they are valued for low water requirements and seasonal color.

Taxonomy and etymology: The genus belongs to the tribe Heliantheae within Asteraceae. The name Ceralis is treated as a nomenclatural grouping; its exact etymology is not consistently cited in sources.