Ozothamnus rodwayi

Location & distribution maps

Phylogeny & links to associated information:

Wikipedia links:       Angiosperms > Eudicots > Campanulids > Asterales > Asteraceae > Asteroideae > Asterids >  Gnaphalieae > Ozothamnus rodwayi

Other links:           

Plant  information

Common name:                Alpine Everlasting Bush  

Conservation status:  unknown

Etymology:   

Flowers:                  

• Has white daisy flowers

• These are arranged in compact terminal, profuse clusters, and are distinguished by brown hairy bracts

Fruit:                         

• As with all members of the family Asteraceae, its fruit is a cypsela

• These have two fused carpels yet only one locule,

• It produces one seed per formed fruit

Leaves:         

• Is distinguished from other members of its genus by its tiny (7-15mm long), grey/green leaves with a densely hairy-white underside

• They are obovate and alternately arranged

• Young foliage of the plant has a slightly sticky feel

Stem & branches: 

Roots:         

Habit:        

• A small and compact, highly branched rounded shrub

• Typically it grows 50–100 cm in height and 50–80 cm in width

Habitat:   

• A widespread small, dense alpine shrub 

• Abundantly found in alpine and high subalpine heaths and woodlands

Distribution:                  

• Endemic to Tasmania

• It is widespread and abundant in areas of high altitude throughout Tasmania,

• It is common on exposed alpine slopes to subalpine heath and woodlands, such as at Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, Mount Field National Park and throughout the Central Highlands (Tasmania)

Additional notes:     

• Taxonomy

  • There are three species variations of Ozothamnus rodwayi which are currently recognised by the Australian Plant Census:

    • Ozothamnus rodwayi var. kingii, silvery, alpine everlastingbush, distinguished by its silver foliage

    • Ozothamnus rodwayi var. oreophilus, eastern alpine everlastingbush, distinguished by dark green leaves

    • Ozothamnus rodwayi var. rodwayi, alpine everlastingbush

• Cultivation

  • Requires full sun in moist, well drained soil with a high humus content

  • It can be used as an attractive shrubbery, rockery or container plant and can be propagated from seed or cuttings

Sources of information:

• (2023)