Rhodanthe anthemoides

Rhodanthe anthemoides
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Asterids
Order:	Asterales
Family:	Asteraceae
Tribe:	Inuleae
Genus:	Rhodanthe
Species:	R. anthemoides
Binomial name
Rhodanthe anthemoides (Sieber ex Spreng.) Paul G. Wilson[1]
Synonyms
Argyrocome anthemoides (Spreng.) Kuntze Helichrysum anthemoides Sieber ex Spreng. Helipterum anthemoides (Spreng.) A.Cunn. ex DC Roccardia anthemdoides (Sieber ex Spreng.) Voss

Rhodanthe anthemoides, commonly known as Chamomile Sunray, is a perennial species of the daisy family Asteraceae. It is endemic to Australia.^[2] Plants have multiple stems rising from the base which reach up to 40 cm high and spread to 60 cm wide.^[2][3][4] The leaves are about 10 mm long and 0.5 to 2 mm in width.^[2]

A central cluster of pale yellow flowers is surrounded by petal-like white, papery bracts. These appear between September and February in the species native range.^[3] These are followed by small dry achenes that have silky hairs.^[3]

The species occurs in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania.^[2] Although a widespread species on the mainland, in Tasmania it is listed as "rare" under the TSP Act. It is found in mountainous regions growing in sandy soil.^[2]

Culivation

The species is commonly cultivated, preferring a well drained, lightly shaded situation. Cutting back after flowering prevents plants from becoming straggly.^[4] Plants are well suited to being grown in containers.

Propagation is from seed or cuttings, named cultivars requiring the latter method to be true to type.^[4]

Cultivars include:

• 'Anna Star'^[1]
• 'Chamomile Cascade'^[1]
• 'Milky Way'^[1]
• 'Paper Baby' - a form with red buds^[4]
• 'Paper Cascade' - a form with red buds^[4]
• 'Paper Moon' ('Rhomoon')
• 'Paper Star' - compact form^[4]
• 'Paper Trail' ('Rhotrail')^[1]
• 'Southern stars'^[1]
• 'Sunray Snow'^[1]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e f g} "Rhodanthe anthemoides". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government, Canberra. http://www.anbg.gov.au/cgi-bin/apni?TAXON_NAME=Rhodanthe+anthemoides. Retrieved 6 April 2011. 
2. ^ ^{a b c d e} Wilson, Peter G.. "Rhodanthe anthemoides". PlantNET - New South Wales Flora Online. Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust, Sydney Australia. http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=sp&name=Rhodanthe~anthemoides. Retrieved 6 April 2011. 
3. ^ ^{a b c} "Rhodanthe anthemoides". Threatned Flora of Tasmania. Department of Primary Industries. http://www.dpiw.tas.gov.au/internnsf/Attachments/SSKA-76P27B/$FILE/Rhodanthe%20anthemoides.pdf. Retrieved 6 April. 
4. ^ ^{a b c d e f} "Rhodanthe anthemoides". Australian Plants Society (Australia). http://anpsa.org.au/r-ant.html. Retrieved 6 April 2011.