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Leucochrysum molle

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Species of flowering plant

Hoary sunray
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Leucochrysum
Species: L. molle
Binomial name
Leucochrysum molle
(A.Cunn. ex DC.) Paul G.Wilson

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

Description

Leucochrysum molle is a clumping, woolly annual or occasionally a perennial to 30 cm (12 in) high. The leaves are narrowly lance-shaped to narrow-oblong, woolly, up to 7 cm (2.8 in) long, 2–6 mm (0.079–0.236 in) wide, grey, rounded or tapering to a point at the apex. The flower heads 2–2.5 cm (0.79–0.98 in) in diameter, borne singly on a slim peduncle 15 cm (5.9 in) long. The outer bracts light brown, inner bracts triangular to oval-shaped or almost circular, yellow, arranged in rows and lamina 3–10 mm (0.12–0.39 in) long. Flowering occurs in spring and the fruit is a cypsela about 3 mm (0.12 in) long, brown and sometimes warty.

Taxonomy and naming

This species was first described in 1838 as Helichrysum molle by Augustin Pyramus de Candolle from an unpublished description by Allan Cunningham. In 1992 Paul G. Wilson changed the name to Leucochrysum molle and the description was published in Nuytsia. The specific epithet (molle) means "soft".

Distribution and habitat

Hoary sunray grows on a variety of soil types in woodlands, grasslands and sandplains in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Victoria.

References

  1. "Helichrysum molle". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  2. ^ Wilson, Paul. "Leucochrysum molle". PlantNET-NSW flora online. Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  3. ^ Schaumann, M.; Barker, J.; Grieg, J. (1987). Australian Daisies. Sydney: Lothian Publishing. p. 174. ISBN 0850912911.
  4. "Helichrysum molle". Australian Plant Name Index. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  5. Wilson, Paul (1992). "Leucochrysum molle". Nuytsia. 8 (3): 445. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  6. "Leucochrysum molle". Australian Plant Name Index. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  7. George, A.S; Sharr, F.A (2021). Western Australian Plant Names and their meanings (4th ed.). Kardinya: Four Gables. p. 262. ISBN 9780958034197.
Taxon identifiers
Leucochrysum molle
Helichrysum molle
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