Kingdom Plantae Family Asteraceae Genus Olearia | Order Asterales Tribe Astereae Rank Species | |
Similar Olearia covenyi, Olearia canescens, Olearia megalophylla, Olearia floribunda, Olearia astroloba | ||
Olearia mooneyi, commonly known as Pumpkin Bush, is a large shrub or small tree in the daisy family, Asteraceae. The specific epithet honours Thomas Mooney (1842–1873), an early settler of Lord Howe Island who was interested in its plants.
Contents
Description
The plant grows up to 2–4 m in height. The leaves are alternate, 4–10 cm long, 1.5–3.5 mm wide, biscuit-coloured, woolly below and glossy above. The flowers have about 12 white ray florets, 6 mm long; there are about 8 disc florets, 6 mm long and pale yellow. The fruit is brown and 5 mm long.
Distribution and habitat
The plant is endemic. to Australia’s subtropical Lord Howe Island in the Tasman Sea. It is found from an elevation of 750 m upwards to the tops of the mountains, where it is one of the main trees.
References
Olearia mooneyi Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA