Albany daisy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Albany daisy |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Actinodium
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| Species: |
cunninghamii
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Actinodium is a genus of the botanical family Myrtaceae, described as a genus in 1836. At present, it contains only one recognized species, Actinodium cunninghamii, endemic to Western Australia. Florabase lists this species, with a wider distribution in Western Australia, with another, unnamed species restricted to regions to the east of Albany.
A common name, Albany daisy, indicates its distribution in Southwest Australia, occurring inland from the southern coast near Albany and on the Esperance Plains to the Fitzgerald River. The flower head, around 40 mm across, is composed of compacted pinkish flowers surrounded by a white fringe of infertile elongated flowers; these appear between August and November. Cultivation notes compare it with its near relations of Darwinia, and not widely developed as a garden plant, successful propagation is achieved from cuttings. The low shrub, no higher than 0.5 meters, has stem clasping leaves and occurs in sandy wet areas; and so also known as swamp daisy.
The specific epithet commemorates Allan Cunningham. The species was described in 1836 by Johannes Conrad Schauer. An image was engraved for an Australian Stamp in 1985.
