Hoary sunray
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Leucochrysum
Species:
L. molle
Binomial name
Leucochrysum molle

Leucochrysum molle, commonly known as hoary sunray,[2] is a flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. It is a small, clumping perennial with grey leaves, yellow flower-heads and is endemic to Australia.

Description

Leucochrysum molle is a clumping, woolly annual or occasionally a perennial to 30 cm (12 in) high. The leaves are narrowly lance-shaped to narrow-oblong, woolly, up to 7 cm (2.8 in) long, 2–6 mm (0.079–0.236 in) wide, grey, rounded or tapering to a point at the apex. The flower heads 2–2.5 cm (0.79–0.98 in) in diameter, borne singly on a slim peduncle 15 cm (5.9 in) long. The outer bracts light brown, inner bracts triangular to oval-shaped or almost circular, yellow, arranged in rows and lamina 3–10 mm (0.12–0.39 in) long. Flowering occurs in spring and the fruit is a cypsela about 3 mm (0.12 in) long, brown and sometimes warty.[2][3]

Taxonomy and naming

This species was first described in 1838 as Helichrysum molle by Augustin Pyramus de Candolle from an unpublished description by Allan Cunningham.[4] In 1992 Paul G. Wilson changed the name to Leucochrysum molle and the description was published in Nuytsia.[5][6] The specific epithet (molle) means "soft".[7]

Distribution and habitat

Hoary sunray grows on a variety of soil types in woodlands, grasslands and sandplains in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Victoria.[2][3]

References

  1. ↑ "Helichrysum molle". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 Wilson, Paul. "Leucochrysum molle". PlantNET-NSW flora online. Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  3. 1 2 Schaumann, M.; Barker, J.; Grieg, J. (1987). Australian Daisies. Sydney: Lothian Publishing. p. 174. ISBN 0850912911.
  4. ↑ "Helichrysum molle". Australian Plant Name Index. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  5. ↑ Wilson, Paul (1992). "Leucochrysum molle". Nuytsia. 8 (3): 445. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  6. ↑ "Leucochrysum molle". Australian Plant Name Index. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  7. ↑ George, A.S; Sharr, F.A (2021). Western Australian Plant Names and their meanings (4th ed.). Kardinya: Four Gables. p. 262. ISBN 9780958034197.
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