Offneria

Offneria is a genus of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae, native to South America. It is the only genus in the tribe Offnerieae. The genus was first described by Carl Sigismund Kunth in 1818, and the type species is Offneria acanthoclada.

Offneria species are shrubs or small trees, typically growing to a height of 3-10 meters. They are characterized by their alternate, simple leaves, which are often toothed or lobed. The flowers are typically yellow, and are arranged in compound capitula, which are clusters of small flower heads. The fruit is an achene, which is a dry, one-seeded fruit with a hard, protective coat.

The genus is named after the German botanist Johann Friedrich Offner, who collected the type species in Brazil. The species name acanthoclada refers to the spiny or thorny nature of the leaves.

Offneria species are used in horticulture for their ornamental value, and are also used in traditional medicine in South America. They are known to have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, and are used to treat various ailments, including arthritis and pain.

The genus is currently recognized to have 11 species, all of which are native to South America. They are typically found in tropical and subtropical forests, and are often used in conservation efforts due to their rarity and unique characteristics.