General Description: A compact shrub to 1.5 m tall with erect branches and small, rounded, dark green leaves. Clusters of small yellow flowers make showy flower heads.
Flowers and Fruit: Numerous dense clusters of tubular yellow flowers from October to January.
Fruit is clusters of small brown seed attached to fine bristles which allow them to float in the wind.
Site Preference and Tolerances: Salt, drought and frost tolerant, prefers moist well drained soils. Prefers full sun or semi shade and is tolerant of shallow, infertile soils.
Life Span: Fast growing and short lived (less than 20 years)
Wildlife Value: Insects feed on nectar and seed. Seed is collected and eaten usually by ground insects and beetles, many insect types can be found within the foliage.
Other Values and Uses: Useful for shelter and erosion control on stream-sides and valleys. Very attractive plant with profuse yellow flowers but has a tendency to become woody so prune heavily in late winter to encourage bushiness. This is a showy shrub that is good for a difficult spot.
Other Scientific Names: Cassinia obovata, Helichrysum obcordatum, Helichrysum obcordatum var. majus, Ozothamnus obcordatus ssp. major, Ozothamnus obcordatus subsp. major
Germination Information: Usually grows well in a few weeks without any treatment but germination increases with light so it is good to surface sow or only cover lightly with soil.