Family Index

Scientific Name

Olearia erubescens

Family Name

ASTERACEAE (COMPOSITAE)

Common Name

Silky Daisy Bush, Moth Daisy Bush

Status

Height

1.5m (150cm)

Flowers

Flower-heads on slender stalks, 3-5 together. Florets12-15 pale pinkish-purple,or white.

Fruit

Achenes

Form

Shrub with stout straight branches.

Municipalities

Break O'Day; Central Highlands; Derwent Valley; Dorset; Georgetown; Glamorgan-Spring Bay; Glenorchy; Hobart; Huon Valley; Kentish; Latrobe; Launceston; Meander Valley; Northern Midlands; Southern Midlands; Waratah-Wynyard; West Coast

Communities

Dry Eucalypt Forest and Woodland

Habitat Notes

Widespread but local from sea level to the central plateau. Tolerates most frosts and lengthy dry periods.

Site Tolerance

Dry; Moist

Frost Tolerance

Hardy

Soil Tolerance

Fertile; Loam; Phosphorous intolerant; Well-drained

General Notes

Resistant to Phytophthora cinnamomi. Flowering times often sporadic. Suitable below powerlines.

Propagation Details

Propagation Calendar

Flowering Months

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Seed Collecting Months

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Sowing Months

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Cutting Months

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Seed Information

Seed Collection

Fruit a n achene, hairless, pappus bristles 7-8mm long, pinkish brown.when seed is mature the achenes loosen in the centre of the seedheads which appear fluffy.collect seedheads into paper bags and allow to dry

Seed Treatment Method

Surface sow

Seed Storage Life

Short

Viable Seeds Per Gram

Seed Treatment Notes

Rub and sieve seed. For best results fresh seed should be used. Seed should be surface sown or covered lightly. Little viable seed produced by some species. Has been used with some success for direct seeding. Do well in semi-shaded sites but will tolerate plenty of sun.

Germination Time

2-5 weeks

Suitable for Direct Seeding

Yes

Cuttings

Expected Time to Take Root

Expected Time to Plant Out

Propagation by Division N.B. Transplant only from nearby to avoid disease.

Cutting Notes

Also grown from cuttings of firm young growth.