Plants of
South Australia
Maireana coronata
Amaranthaceae
Crown Fissure-weed,
Crown Fissure-plant
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Adelaide
Arkaroola
Ceduna
Coober Pedy
Hawker
Innamincka
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Keith
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Botanical art

Kath Alcock paintings: 3

Prior names

Kochia coronata

Common names

Crown Fissure-weed

Crown Fissure-plant

Etymology

'Maireana', after the 19th century French botanist Adolphe Lemaire and 'coronata', from Latin coronatus, meaning crowned.

Distribution and status

Usually found in heavy soils in the north and north eastern parts of the State. Native, common in South Australia, Queensland Northern Territory and New South Wales.
Herbarium regions: Lake Eyre, Gairdner-Torrens
NRM region: South Australian Arid Lands
AVH map: SA distribution map (external link)

Plant description

Decumbent to erect perennial shrub to approximately 15 cm high. Woolly branches with silky alternate leaves. Flowers densely silky, often in clustered spikes. Flowers and fruits from April to November. Fruits are horny perianth with silky hairs and a crown shape on the upper surface, above a narrow, circular wing. Seeds are ellipsoid to circular, brown, convex seed Seed embryo type is peripheral

Seed collection and propagation

Collect seeds between April and November. Collect dry, papery fruits. Check that they contain well developed seeds before making a collection. Shake or strip fruits into a vessel. Remove twigs and other plant material.