Plants of
South Australia
Actinobole uliginosum
Asteraceae
Camel Dung,
Flannel Cudweed,
Cotton Weed
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Regional Species Conservation Assessments per IBRA subregion.
Least concern
Near threatened
Rare
Vulnerable
Endangered
Critically endangered
Extinct
Data deficient
Adelaide
Arkaroola
Ceduna
Coober Pedy
Hawker
Innamincka
Marla
Marree
Mount Gambier
Oodnadatta
Renmark
Wudinna
Keith
Yunta
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Botanical art

Kath Alcock paintings: 4

Prior names

Gnaphalodes evacina

Gnaphalodes uliginosum

Common names

Camel Dung

Flannel Cudweed

Cotton Weed

Etymology

Actinobole from the Greek 'aktinos' meaning ray-like or radiating structure and 'bolos' meaning lump or mass, referring to the general appearance of the florets surrounded by the reflexed laminae of the capitular bracts. Uliginosum meaning to grow in bogs and swamps.

Distribution and status

Found across South Australia, in temperate to arid habitats, favouring sandy soils. Also found in all mainland States. Native. Common in South Australia. Common in the other States.
Herbarium regions: North Western, Lake Eyre, Nullarbor, Gairdner-Torrens, Flinders Ranges, Eastern, Eyre Peninsula, Northern Lofty, Murray, Yorke Peninsula, Southern Lofty, Kangaroo Island, South Eastern, Green Adelaide
AVH map: SA distribution map (external link)

Plant description

Small herbs with stems reduced and the entire plant consisting of a single inflorescence surrounded by a basal rosette of leaves, or the stem with major branches at or near the base. Flowers yellow fluffy balls. Flowering between August and November. Fruits are reddish brown, tiny daisy-heads to 85 mm long and 45 mm, covered in white woolly hairs. Seeds are tiny brown, ovoid to 0.7 mm long and 0.4 mm wide covered in small round projections. Seed embryo type is spatulate.

Seed collection and propagation

Collect seeds between October and December. Collect heads or whole plants that are brown or turning brown. Each head should have numerous tiny seeds. Place the heads in a tray for a week to dry. Then rub the heads gently with your hands to dislodge the seeds. Use a fine sieve to separate the seeds from the unwanted material. Be careful as the seeds are very small. The seeds are dark brown and ovoid in shape. Store the seeds with a desiccant such as dried silica beads or dry rice, in an air tight container in a cool and dry place. Seed viability is usually high. Seeds are non-dormant, viable seed should germinate readily.

Germination table:
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We acknowledge the contributions of the South Australian Seed Conservation Centre, the Botanic Gardens of South Australia, and the Department for Environment and Water.