Kingdom Plantae Family Asteraceae Genus Olearia Rank Species | Order Asterales Tribe Astereae Scientific name Olearia phlogopappa | |
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Similar Olearia lirata, Daisy bush, Olearia argophylla, Ozothamnus ferrugineus, Cassinia aculeata | ||
Olearia phlogopappa, the dusty daisy-bush, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. It occurs in open forest, woodland, heath and coastal shrubland in New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania.
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Description
Oleraia phlogopappa grows to between 0.3 and 3 metres in height. The leaves are quite variable, but are usually grey-green with minute hairs on the underside which impart a whitish or yellowish appearance. The leaf margins are often bluntly toothed. White, pink or mauve "daisy" flower heads around 20–25 mm in diameter are mainly produced in spring and early summer.
Taxonomy
The species was first formally described by Jacques Labillardière in 1806 in Novae Hollandiae Plantarum Specimen and named Aster phlogopappus. In 1836 the species was transferred to the genus Olearia by Augustin Pyramus de Candolle in Prodomus.
There are 6 varieties which are currently recognised:
Cultivation
The species withstands moderate frost and drought, but prefers moist conditions and a well drained soil in a sunny or partially shaded position. Pruning is required to stop plants becoming spindly. Cuttings are the usual method of propagation as seed may be unreliable.
Cultivars
A number of cultivars are commercially available including:
Another cultivar, 'Havering Blush', is a hybrid between Olearia phlogopappa and Olearia lirata.