Ozothamnus ferrugineus

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Tree everlasting
Ozothamnus ferrugineus.jpg
Ozothamnus ferrugineus, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Ozothamnus
Species:
O. ferrugineus
Binomial name
Ozothamnus ferrugineus
Synonyms

Chrysocoma ferruginea(Labill.) Spreng.
Eupatorium ferrugineumLabill.
Helichrysum dendroideumN.A.Wakef.
Helichrysum ferrugineumR.Lesson ex Steud. nom. illeg.
Petalolepis ferruginea(Labill.) Cass

Ozothamnus ferrugineus, commonly known as tree everlasting, is a member of the genus Ozothamnus , of the Asteraceae family – one of the largest families of flowering plants in Australia. Native to the Australian states of New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania, it forms an erect shrub or small tree between 2 and 3 metres in height.

Description [1]

Ozothamnus ferrugineus forms a medium to large erect, much-branched woody shrub that is aromatic, with an open habit. It generally grows to 2-3 metres in height, reaching 1.5-3 metres width. Fine hairs are concentrated in lines running along the stem and crowded leaves extend alternately from cottony branchlets. [2] Younger leaves are light green in colour and sticky to the touch, maturing to darker green leaves with a glabrous, resiny adaxial surface, and a lighter grey, densely hairy abaxial surface with a glabrescent midrib. [1] [3] [4] They are flat, fine and spreading, 2-7cm long and linear to lanceolate in shape, with pointed tips and slightly wavy margins. [1]

Flowering occurs in the summer months. O. ferrugineus inflorescence amusingly resembles cauliflower heads, composed of 80–300 densely-packed small white daisies. [3] These florets are in 5–6 compact hemispherical corymbose terminal clusters. Each flowerhead is cylindrical to bell-shaped, 3-5mm long with a 1-4mm diameter, and remain on the bush for long periods. [1] [3] Appressed to the base of the flowerheads are 14–18 small bracts. The lower half of the inner bracts are translucent, whilst the upper half is an opaque white. The outer bracts are golden brown to green in colour. [3]

Flowering produces a cypsela, oft characteristic of the Asteraceae family. Theirs is a dry, single seeded fruit, narrow to ovoid in shape, 1mm long. [4] The calyx is modified into a pappus composed of 2-3mm long bristles, aiding seed dispersal via wind. [5] [3]

Ozothamnus ferrugineus terminal inflorescence, showing distinguishing hairs running parallel down stems. Photo: Rob Wiltshire, UTAS. Ozothamnus ferrugineus inflorescence.gif
Ozothamnus ferrugineus terminal inflorescence, showing distinguishing hairs running parallel down stems. Photo: Rob Wiltshire, UTAS.

Distinguishing features

Generally, bract characters are key to distinguishing Cassinia from Ozothamnus, whereby the involucral bracts of Ozothamnus are straight or radiating and lacking paleae between florets, whilst Cassinia possess paleae and their involucral bracts are connivent. [6] O. ferrugineus is often mistaken for Cassinia aculeata , however, where C. aculeata's leaves are revolute or recurved, O. ferrugineus' leaves are flat or only slightly recurved. Furthermore, the hairs on O. ferrugineus' stem are arranged in neat parallel lines, whilst the stems of C. aculeata are more uniformly hairy. [2] O. ferrugineus can also be confused with Ozothamnusthyrsoideus which occurs in similar habitats but whose flowers are spread along branches rather than in terminal bunches. [7]

Habitat and distribution

Map showing recorded Ozothamnus ferrugineus observations in Australia. Map created with Atlas of Living Australia data. O. ferrugineus distribution.png
Map showing recorded Ozothamnus ferrugineus observations in Australia. Map created with Atlas of Living Australia data.

Ozothamnus ferrugineus is a common and widespread middle understory species in open forests and scrubland throughout south-eastern Australia. It can be found from coastal swampland and scrub through to elevated ranges and tablelands throughout Victoria, South Australia, New South Wales, and Tasmania, often persisting along roadsides. [4] [3] [7] [1] It prefers well drained, moist areas and is often one of the first species to regenerate after fire or other disturbances. [7] [8]

Classification

Taxonomy

The first recorded description of O. ferrugineus was by French botanist Jacques Labillardière in 1806 in Novae Hollandiae Plantarum Specimen , a two-volume work describing Australia's natural flora. [9] O. ferrugineus was then described as 'Eupatorium ferrugineum.' He details the abaxial leaf surface as being reddish-brown, hence 'ferrugineum,' which is Latin for rust-like or reddish-brown:

"...foliis lineari-lanceolatis, aveniis, adultis subtùs ferrugineis." [9]

In English, this is "linear-lanceolate leaves, beneath reddish brown."

This rust-related name persists to this day, however, is misleading, as the underside of O. ferrugineus' leaves are distinctly light-grey to white in colour. Ozothamnus is the largest genus in the Gnaphalieae 'everlasting' tribe, comprising 50 species. It was first recognised in the early 19th century, however, was circumscribed as Helichrysum for 124 years before being reinstated as Ozothamnus in 1991. [6]

Cultivation

Reproduction from seed is O. ferrugineus' main form of regeneration. Seeds should be directly sown in early winter, as slow-growing seedlings can be vulnerable to spring drought. [10] Plant is long lived, as are its flowers. Prefers full-sun to semi-shade.

Ecology

Ozothamnus ferrugineus can resprout if above ground parts are killed or experiencing severe disturbance, including fire. [10] Despite its highly flammable foliage, it will persist through average-severity bushfires. It is often one of the first species to appear after a disturbance event. [8] Its seeds are wind dispersed, using its pappus to travel. [5]

Related Research Articles

<i>Helichrysum</i> Genus of flowering plants

The genus Helichrysum consists of an estimated 600 species of flowering plants in the sunflower family (Asteraceae). The type species is Helichrysum orientale. They often go by the names everlasting, immortelle, and strawflower. The name is derived from the Ancient Greek words ἥλιος and χρῡσός.

<i>Scolymus maculatus</i> Species of flowering plant

Scolymus maculatus is a spiny annual plant in the family Asteraceae, native to the Mediterranean region in southern Europe, southwest Asia, and northern Africa, and also the Canary Islands. It has pinnately incised prickly leaves and prickly wings along the stems, both with a white marginal vein. The yellow flowerheads stand solitary or with a few together at the tip to the stems, and subtended by more than five leaflike bracts. The plant is known as scolyme taché in French, cardogna macchiata in Italian, cardo borriquero in Spanish, and escólimo-malhado in Portuguese, חוח עקוד in Hebrew and سنارية حولية in Arabic. In English it is called spotted golden thistle or spotted oyster thistle.

<i>Xerochrysum bracteatum</i> Flowering plant in the family Asteraceae native to Australia

Xerochrysum bracteatum, commonly known as the golden everlasting or strawflower, is a flowering plant in the family Asteraceae native to Australia. Described by Étienne Pierre Ventenat in 1803, it was known as Helichrysum bracteatum for many years before being transferred to a new genus Xerochrysum in 1990. It is an annual up to 1 m (3.3 ft) tall with green or grey leafy foliage. Golden yellow or white flower heads are produced from spring to autumn; their distinctive feature is the papery bracts that resemble petals. The species is widespread, growing in a variety of habitats across the country, from rainforest margins to deserts and subalpine areas. The golden everlasting serves as food for various larvae of lepidopterans, and adult butterflies, hoverflies, native bees, small beetles, and grasshoppers visit the flower heads.

<i>Chrysocephalum semipapposum</i> Species of plant

Chrysocephalum semipapposum, commonly known as clustered everlasting is a perennial shrub native to Australia. Clustered everlasting belongs to the family Asteraceae. C. semipapposum produces terminal flowers heads in clusters, mainly between spring and early summer with silver-grey appearing stems and branches. It grows up to 40 cm high and 60 cm high, although there have been some varieties which can grow up to 1 m. C. semipapposum is often confused with Chrysocephalum apiculatum or 'yellow buttons', due to their similar appearances. C. semipapposum has 4 different subspecies, however they lack distinctive qualities and are often hard to identify. C. semipapposum is endemic to Australia and can be found in multiple states, most notably within Victoria. The plant is found in a variety of habitats including dry rocky regions. Clustered everlasting often grows sparsely and is rarely found in abundance and can be mistaken for a weed. Clustered everlasting has many uses, including as a source of nectar for butterflies, cut flowers or as an addition to a garden.

<i>Cassinia aculeata</i> Species of plant

Cassinia aculeata, commonly known as common cassinia, dolly bush or dogwood , is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae and is endemic to south-eastern Australia. It is an erect shrub with sessile, linear, variably-sized leaves, and heads of creamy-white to white flowers arranged in rounded cymes.

<i>Coronidium scorpioides</i> Species of flowering plant

Coronidium scorpioides, commonly known as the button everlasting, is a perennial herbaceous shrub in the family Asteraceae found in Australia. Previously known as Helichrysum scorpioides, it was placed in the newly described genus Coronidium in 2008.

<i>Leucochrysum albicans</i> Species of flowering plant

Leucochrysum albicans, commonly known as hoary sunray, is a flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. It is a small perennial with grey leaves, white or yellow flower-heads and is endemic to Australia.

<i>Ozothamnus alpinus</i> Species of shrub

Ozothamnus alpinus, commonly known as alpine everlasting, is a flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. It is endemic to alpine and subalpine areas in south-eastern continental Australia.

<i>Ozothamnus cuneifolius</i> Species of shrub

Ozothamnus cuneifolius, commonly known as wedge-leaf everlasting or wedge everlasting, is a shrub in the family Asteraceae. It is native to forests of the south-east of New South Wales and Gippsland in Victoria in Australia.

<i>Ozothamnus rogersianus</i> Species of shrub

Ozothamnus rogersianus, commonly known as Nunniong everlasting, is a shrub in the family Asteraceae. It is endemic to Victoria, Australia.

<i>Ozothamnus leptophyllus</i> Species of shrub

Ozothamnus leptophyllus, commonly known as tauhinu or cottonwood, is an endemic shrub of New Zealand. Tauhinu is fast-growing, reaching 2 metres in height and is a common plant of coastal farmland. This species is host to the larvae of the New Zealand endemic moth Homoeosoma anaspila.

<i>Cassinia leptocephala</i> Species of flowering plant

Cassinia leptocephala is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae and is endemic to New South Wales. It is a large, woody shrub with hairy, reddish stems, stiff linear leaves, and heads of pale yellow flowers arranged in a dense corymb.

Cassinia straminea is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae and is endemic to eastern Australia. It is an erect shrub with hairy young stems, linear leaves and corymbs of up to several hundred flower heads.

<i>Ozothamnus ledifolius</i> Species of shrub

Ozothamnus ledifolius is a shrub, from the family Asteraceae and one of 54 species from the genus Ozothamnus. Harold Frederick Comber (1897–1969), an English horticulturist and plant collector, introduced Ozothamnus ledifolius in 1929 on mountains of Tasmania above 2500 ft. high from the seeds collected from 4000 ft. height.

<i>Cassinia thinicola</i> Species of flowering plant

Cassinia thinicola commonly known as sand everlasting, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae and is endemic to coastal New South Wales. It is a compact shrub with hairy young stems, needle-shaped to slightly flattened leaves, and corymbs of up to 150 flower heads.

<i>Ozothamnus occidentalis</i> Species of plant

Ozothamnus occidentalis is a shrub in the family Asteraceae, native to Western Australia.

Ozothamnus tesselatus, commonly known as tesselate everlasting, is a flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. It is a small shrub with woolly branches and globular heads of whitish to straw-coloured flowers.

<i>Ozothamnus rodwayi</i> Plant species, Tasmanian

Ozothamnus rodwayi, commonly known as alpine everlastingbush, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae that is endemic to Tasmania, Australia. It is a widespread small, dense alpine shrub abundantly found in alpine and high subalpine heaths and woodlands.

<i>Argentipallium blandowskianum</i> Species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae

Argentipallium blandowskianum, the woolly everlasting, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae.

<i>Ozothamnus lycopodioides</i> Species of plant

Ozothamnus lycopodioides, commonly known as clubmoss everlastingbush, is a plant species endemic to Tasmania. The specific epithet "lycopodioides" refers to the resemblance of the foliage to that of plants (clubmosses) in the Lycopodium genus.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Tasmania's natural flora. Jenny Whiting, Tasmania's Natural Flora Editorial Committee. Ulverstone, Tas.: Tasmania's Natural Flora Editorial Committee. 2004. ISBN   0-646-43916-2. OCLC   63691373.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  2. 1 2 "Species information: Ozothamnus ferrugineus (Helichrysum dendroideum)". utas.edu.au. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "PlantNET – FloraOnline". plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
  4. 1 2 3 "Flora of Victoria". vicflora.rbg.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
  5. 1 2 Jordan, Greg. "Daisy pappus". Key to Tasmanian Dicots. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
  6. 1 2 Schmidt-Lebuhn, Alexander N.; Constable, Lee (29 November 2012). "Phylogenetic relationships of the Australasian shrubby everlastingsOzothamnusandCassinia(Asteraceae: Asteroideae: Gnaphalieae)". Cladistics. 29 (6): 574–588. doi:10.1111/cla.12007. ISSN   0748-3007.
  7. 1 2 3 Jordan, Greg. "Ozothamnus ferrugineus". Key to Tasmanian Dicots. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
  8. 1 2 Bargmann, Tessa; Kirkpatrick, Jamie B. (1 February 2015). "Transition from heathland to scrub in south-eastern Tasmania: extent of change since the 1970s, floristic depletion and management implications". Biodiversity and Conservation. 24 (2): 213–228. doi: 10.1007/s10531-014-0803-6 . hdl: 1956/9491 . ISSN   1572-9710.
  9. 1 2 Labillardière, Jacques (1804–1806). Novæ Hollandiæ plantarum specimen (in Latin). Paris: Ex typographia Dominæ Huzard. p. 38.
  10. 1 2 "VicVeg Plant Details". vicveg.net.au. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
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