Brachyscome multifida
Cut-leaved Daisy
Cut-leaved Daisy
Brachyscome multifida var. Blue Moon:
Wikipedia links: Angiosperm > Eudicots > Asterids > Asterales > Asteraceae > Brachyscome multifida
Other links:
Common name: Cut-leaved Daisy
Also, rocky daisy and Hawkesbury daisy
Conservation status: . . .
Etymology:
The genus name Brachyscome is from the classical Greek brachys ("short") and kome ("hair"), a reference to the very short pappus bristles
multifida – Latin meaning “multiply-divided” – referring to the dissected nature of the leaves
Flowers:
The flowerheads arise above the foliage on 4 to 40 cm long peduncles
The ray florets are mauve, pink or white and are 7 to 10 mm long
The main flowerering season is early autumn to mid winter, but the daisy-like flowerheads may appear throughout the year
Fruit:
Leaves:
The foliage is fine and deeply divided
Stem & branches:
Roots:
Habit:
It is a perennial herb
This species has an erect, matting growth habit growing to 45 cm in height
Habitat:
It occurs on dry, shallow or rocky soils in sclerophyll forest or grassland
Distribution:
The species is endemic to Australia
It occurs in Victoria, NSW and Queensland
Additional notes:
Taxonomy
The species was first formally described by Swiss botanist Augustin Pyramus de Candolle, his description published in the 5th volume of Prodromus Systematis Naturalis Regni Vegetabilis in 1836
A collection was made by Allan Cunningham from Peel's Range (now Cocoparra Range) in NSW
Two varieties are recognised:
Brachyscome multifida var dilitata Benth - oblanceolate to cuneate leaf lobes
Brachyscome multifida var multifida- narrow-linear to subulate leaf lobes
Cultivation
The species and its cultivars are popular in horticulture, and are used for mass plantings, in hanging baskets, in borders and spilling over retaining walls
They can be grown in a wide range of soils and tolerates dry conditions, but will benefit from supplementary watering
Plants are best situated in a position with full sun, although partial shade is tolerated
Although relatively frost tolerant, foliage may burn
The plant is readily propagated by cuttings which strike readily
Plants may also be propagated by layering or from seed, though germination rate is usually poor
Sources of information: