Chamomile sunray

Plant growth form and habit: A small, variable evergreen perennial herb. Some variants are tufting with upright stems.

Natural distribution: Eastern Australia, including Vic, Qld, NSW, Tas, SA, from alpine herbfields to near coastal areas.

Indigenous to greater Melbourne: No

Height category: 0-0.5m

Dimensions (height and width): 0.3 m x 0.3-0.6 m

Landscape features: Fragrant flowers/foliage

Flowering: White, papery 'everlastings'. September to February. Has foliage with chamomile fragrance.

Typical growth rate: Fast

Light: Full sun, Partial sun

Drought: Average

Waterlogging: Poor

Maintenance and cultivation notes: Better in richer soils, pruning after flowering maintains density although some forms tolerate hard pruning more than others. Some caution is advised: tufting variants with upright stems usually do not respond well to hard pruning. Possibly not a long-lived plant. Selections such as 'Paper Baby', 'Paper Cascade' and 'Sunray Snow' usually perform well for 3 to 5 years. Flowerheads can be affected by Botrytis cinerea which may extend to stems.

Green roof suitability: Irrigated 10-20 cm depth, Irrigated > 20 cm depth

Bees and butterflies nectar and pollen source: Attractive to native bees, particularly Halictidae species such as Homalictus and Lasioglossum sp., butterflies, hoverflies, and other nectar and pollen foraging insects.

Butterfly larval host plants: Larval food plant for Australian painted lady (Vanessa kershawi).

Birds: Provides food for larvae eating birds such as the willie wagtail, which feed on the larvae of Vanessa kershawi.

Benefits: Nectar and pollen, Butterfly (caterpillar) host, Birds (food source)

Availability: Victorian Indigenous Nurseries Co-operative (VINC), Western Plains Flora, Goldfields Revegetation Native Nursery, Kuranga Native Nursery (availability as of June 2017)

Typical horticultural uses: Produces a vibrant annual floral display. Useful for edging and wildflower gardens. Suitable for green roofs.