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Chrysocephalum semipapposum

Posted Thu, 06/05/2010 - 20:27 by locust
Common Names: 
Tall Everlasting

A greyish, softly hairy herb with fine upright stems growing from a base. Buches of golden everlasting flowers are produced at the tops of the stems in spring. These stems may become decumbent and then develop hundreds of smaller stems, in this way a single plant may develop some ground-covering character as well. Variable leaf forms occur around Melbourne. Those on the Volcanic Plains north of Melbourne have very fine, thread-like leaves. Broader leaf forms occur in Heidelberg. Chrysocephalum_semipapposum_detail.jpg

Ecology: 

Occurs on escarpment shrubland in the Victorian Volcanic Plains Bioregion

Gardening Hints: 

Useful in very exposed conditions. It will also survive in the dry shade below established Eucalypts however it is likely to be fairly sparse in such conditions. Cutting the plant to the base will very effectively regenerate a plant that has become senescent however it may be worth occasionally replanting or try to encourage self-sowing.

Propagation: 

Seed can be heavily predated by insect activity resulting in poor germination. Much of the 'seed' collected is debris associated with the pappus, the fluffy bit used in seed distribution. If you put the seed and debris in a jar and shake it the seed will be the brown bits at the bottom of the jar.

Sow this fraction in spring when day temperatures are 20 deg C or so. Don't allow the seed trays to dry out, and also don't over water as they will rot out readily. They don't germinate well over 25 deg C, either because they don't like hot weather or it is too difficult to water appropriately.

Once germination occurs consider liquid fertilizing them to allow some growth before transplanting.