Xerochrysum bicolor

Xerochrysum bicolor
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Asterids
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Xerochrysum
Species: X. bicolor
Binomial name
Xerochrysum bicolor
(Lindl.) R.J.Bayer

Xerochrysum bicolor is a flowering plant in the family Asteraceae, native to Tasmania, where it is found in wetter habitats near the coast. It was originally described by Lindley in 1835 as Helichrysum bicolor,[1] before gaining its current name in 2001.[2]

It is a compact annual or perennial, which normally grows to about 40 cm in height and 50 cm wide, and is usually simple or few-branched. The leaves are lanceolate and range from 2.5 to 10 cm long by 0.3 to 1.4 cm wide. The flowerheads are on stalks and have a diameter of 3 to 4 cm.The inflorescence bracts are papery, the outer ones orange-brown in colour, and the inner ones yellow. It is distinguished from X. bracteatum by its narrower leaves.[3]

The species may be sunk into Xerochrysum bracteatum in a future revision.[3]

References

  1. ^ "Helichrysum bicolor Lindl.". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government. http://www.anbg.gov.au/cgi-bin/apni?taxon_id=4061. 
  2. ^ "Xerochrysum bicolor (Lindl.) R.J.Bayer". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government. http://www.anbg.gov.au/cgi-bin/apni?taxon_id=231661. 
  3. ^ a b Australian Daisy Study Group (Barker, Judy; Greig, Joy; Peate, Natalie; Courtney, Bev; Salkin, Esma; Schaumann, Maureen; Armstrong, John; Thomlinson, Gloria. Everlasting Daisies of Australia. Melbourne, Australia: Shannon Books. p. 57. ISBN 0-9587439-6-7.