avastata

Avastata is a genus of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae. The genus comprises several species of herbaceous perennials and small shrubs native to the Mediterranean Basin and adjacent regions of western Asia. It was described in modern botanical literature to accommodate species sharing certain floral and vegetative traits that are distinct from closely related genera.

Avastata plants typically reach 30–90 cm in height. They have slender, erect stems with alternately arranged leaves that are narrowly ovate to lanceolate and with margins finely serrate. The inflorescences are capitula at the ends of stems; each capitulum bears yellow to pale yellow ray florets surrounding a center of disk florets. Fruits are achenes with a tuft of hairs (pappus) for wind dispersal.

Avastata is adapted to dry environments such as rocky hillsides, scrublands, and coastal zones with moderate salinity. The genus is primarily distributed across the Mediterranean region and parts of western Asia, with some species occupying higher elevations. Ecology involves insect pollination, notably by bees and butterflies; flowering generally occurs in spring and early summer. Several species have restricted ranges and face threats from habitat loss and grazing, leading to regional conservation concerns.

Etymology for Avastata is not firmly established in public records, and different sources offer varying explanations. In cultivation, Avastata species are sometimes grown as ornamentals for their bright yellow flowers, though they are not widely traded in mainstream horticulture.