Brachyscome multifida

Location & distribution maps

Phylogeny & links to associated information:

Wikipedia links:       Angiosperm > Eudicots > Asterids > Asterales > Asteraceae > Brachyscome multifida

Other links:     

Plant  information

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:

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brachyscome_multifida (2023) 

Location of cultivars at ANBG