Etymology
Xerochrysum from the Greek 'xeros' meaning dry and 'chrysos' meaning gold; referring to the golden papery flowers of the genus.
Distribution and status
Endemic to South Australia and found only on Kangaroo Island and the Fleurieu Peninsula, growing in open woodland. Native. Uncommon in South Australia.
Herbarium regions: Southern Lofty, Kangaroo Island
NRM regions: Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges, Kangaroo Island
AVH map: SA distribution map (external link)
Plant description
Erect perennial herb to 1 m high. Leaves narrowly to broadly oblanceolate or narrowly elliptic to lanceolate, to 10 cm long and 20 mm wide scabrous-pubescent like the stem, especially on the margins. Flower-heads irregular, solitary or in loose clusters, with large yellow papery daisy flowers, bracts pale yellow, intermediate bracts longest, bright-yellow or rarely white, outer ones often streaked reddish or brown. Flowering between August and November. Fruits are large yellow-brown daisy head. Seeds are brown, oblong to cylindrical to 3.5 mm long and 1 mm wide. Seed embryo type is spatulate fully developed.
Seed collection and propagation
Collect seeds between December and February. Collect whole heads that are brown or collect seeds that are easily removed from the head. These should be hard and brown. Place the heads in a tray for a week to dry. Then rub the heads gently with your hands to dislodge the seeds. Viable seeds will be dark and hard. 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. Seeds are non-dormant, viable seed should germinate readily without any treatment.
Location | No. of seeds (weight grams) | Number of plants | Date collected | Collection number Collection location | Date stored | % Viability | Storage temperature |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BGA | 30,000 (23.61 g) | 120+ | 6-Nov-2018 | DJD3809 Southern Lofty | 24-Apr-2019 | 90% | -18°C, -80°C |
BGA | 37,500 (28.320 g) | 100+ | 13-Dec-2021 | Cape Willoughby, Richard Glatz Kangaroo Island | 7-Jul-2022 | 100% | -18°C, -80°C |