Eared Vernonia
Gymnanthemum myrianthum
Vernonia myriantha
Observed growing among an open copse of trees located near a farming area. Eldoret, Kenya. 31 Dec. 2013. Detail of leaves and bark are shown at right. The beetle below was feeding among the flowers.
Black and Yellow Chafer
Vernonia Weevil
These weevils were observed on the Elgeyo Escarpment feeding on the leaves. It is possible that the larvae tunnel in the stems or roots.
This composite grows to large shrub size, and the specimen shown here had a single tree-like trunk. Large clusters of lavender flower heads are very showy and are attractive to a wide variety of insects. The large elyptical leaves are pubescent, have serrated margins, and large distinct lobes at the leaf base.
