Stiff cassinia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Stiff cassinia
Close-up of the flowers of Cassinia denticulata at Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, Australia
Scientific classification
Genus:	Cassinia
Species:	denticulata

The Cassinia denticulata, also known as the stiff cassinia, is a common shrub. You can find it growing in the areas around Sydney and the Blue Mountains in Australia. This plant loves to grow in soils that have a lot of sandstone. It often lives in open areas called heathland or in light forests known as woodland. The very first plant of this type that scientists studied was found in Sydney.

What is Stiff Cassinia?

The stiff cassinia is a type of shrub. It usually grows to be about one or two metres tall, which is like the height of a grown-up. Its leaves are quite stiff to touch. They have small, jagged edges, almost like tiny teeth. The underside of the leaves often looks a bit whitish.

Flowers and Their Special Name

In the spring, this plant produces pretty yellow flowers. These flowers grow on special leaf-like structures called bracts, which are silvery white. The scientific name for this plant is Cassinia denticulata. The word "denticulata" is a Latin word. It means "with small teeth," which perfectly describes the toothed edges of the plant's leaves.

Who Discovered Stiff Cassinia?

This interesting plant was first described a long time ago. It was in the early 1800s, during the 19th century. A very famous Scottish botanist named Robert Brown gave it its scientific name. Robert Brown was known for discovering and naming many, many plants during his lifetime.