FAMILY:

ASTERACEAE

Genus:

Leucophyta syn. Calocephalus

species:

brownii

Common name:

Cushion Bush

Name derivation:

Genus: Greek kalos-beautiful, cephale-head, refers to the flowers; species: after Robert Brown, English botanist.

Growth habit:

Shrub.

Dimensions:

0.5-1.2m x 0.5-1.5m.

Foliage:

Simple; to 1.5cm; flattened, linear to scale-like; alternate; entire; covered in grey-white; silvery.

Flower:

Capitulum ; heads globular; to 1cm diameter; September to February; pale yellow.

Fruit:

An achene.

Other features:

Tolerant to wind / frost / drought / salt spray.

Natural distribution:

Temperate to warm temperate.

Soils:

Well drained coastal sands to clay loams.

Natural vegetation:

Coastal / open sunny.

Landcare use:

Sand erosion control, coastal, road verges.

Propagation:

Seeds.

Pests and diseases:

Relatively pest and disease free.