Ozothamnus rodwayi
Alpine Everlasting Bush
Alpine Everlasting Bush
Wikipedia links: Angiosperms > Eudicots > Campanulids > Asterales > Asteraceae > Asteroideae > Asterids > Gnaphalieae > Ozothamnus rodwayi
Other links:
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)