Olearia brevipedunculata facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dusty daisy-bush |
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| Olearia brevipedunculata in Kosciuszko National Park | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Olearia
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| Species: |
brevipedunculata
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The dusty daisy-bush (scientific name: Olearia brevipedunculata) is a small shrub. It has whitish-grey leaves and pretty white flowers that look like daisies. You can see these flowers in the summer. This plant mostly grows in Victoria and parts of New South Wales, Australia. Sometimes, the name "dusty daisy-bush" can also mean another plant called O. phlogopappa.
Contents
What Does the Dusty Daisy-Bush Look Like?
The dusty daisy-bush is a small shrub that grows upright. It can reach about 1 m (3.3 ft) tall. Its small branches are covered in thick, grey-white, star-shaped hairs.
Leaves and Flowers
The leaves of this plant grow one after another along the stem. They are either directly attached or have a very short stalk. The leaves can be egg-shaped, oval, or oblong. They are usually 5–16.5 mm (0.20–0.65 in) long and 2–6.5 mm (0.079–0.26 in) wide.
The top side of the leaves is greyish. It has scattered star-shaped hairs. The underside of the leaves is grey-white, sometimes a bit yellowish. It is covered in thick, matted star-shaped hairs. These hairs hide the leaf veins. The edges of the leaves are smooth or have a slightly wavy, scalloped look.
The flowers grow in a cluster at the very top of the branches. Each cluster has about 12 to 22 daisy-like flowers. Each flower is about 15–22 mm (0.59–0.87 in) across. The petals are white and measure 5–10 mm (0.20–0.39 in) long. The center of the flower is yellow.
Flowering and Fruit
The flowers bloom from December to January. Below the flowers are small, overlapping leaf-like parts called bracts. These bracts are arranged in 3 or 4 rows and are covered in fine, silky hairs.
After flowering, the plant produces a fruit. This fruit is flat and shaped like a cylinder. It is about 2–3 mm (0.079–0.12 in) long. The fruit has faint ribs and is covered in flat, silky hairs. Sometimes, it can also be a bit sticky.
How Did the Dusty Daisy-Bush Get Its Name?
The scientific name for the dusty daisy-bush is Olearia brevipedunculata. This plant was officially described in 2004 by a scientist named N.G. Walsh. He published his description in a scientific journal called Muelleria.
Meaning of the Name
The second part of its scientific name, brevipedunculata, comes from two Latin words. The word brevis means "short." The word pedunculus means "small, slender stalk." So, the name describes a feature of the plant's structure.
Where Does the Dusty Daisy-Bush Grow?
The dusty daisy-bush lives in high mountain areas. It can be found in places like the Bogong High Plains in Victoria. It also grows in higher spots near Mount Buffalo and Mount Kent. You can also find it in a few scattered locations in New South Wales, Australia. It prefers heath and shrubland habitats.
