Craspedia sp.

Billy Buttons at O'Malley, ACT

Craspedia sp. at O'Malley, ACT - 1 Oct 2017
Craspedia sp. at O'Malley, ACT - 1 Oct 2017
Craspedia sp. at O'Malley, ACT - 1 Oct 2017
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Identification history

Craspedia sp. 1 Oct 2017 BettyDonWood
Craspedia sp. 1 Oct 2017 Mike

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5 comments

BettyDonWood wrote:
   2 Oct 2017
It does not look at all like variabilis. Could be a significant sighting of a new species, so take it into the botanic gardens? I presume you have a permit.
Mike wrote:
   3 Oct 2017
This looks like the Craspedia variabilis http://canberra.naturemapr.org/Community/Sightings/Details/3382038 identified by Michael Mulvaney. What features should I look for? I knew the back of the flowerhead was important.
BettyDonWood wrote:
   3 Oct 2017
The main reason I was doubtful was that unlike variabilis, where mature flower heads are almost spherical, these are quite flat. The other chsaracter that distinguishes jamesii, which normally occurs at much higher altitipudes, is the bracts on the back of the flower head - broader and with a broad chaffy margin in variabilis, or narrower with a narrow chaffy margin in jamesii. The top of the flower stalk is quite hairy in both. In a couple of even higher altitude species, the top of the flower stalk is almost hairless. I would be extremely surprised to see them in Canberra.
Mike wrote:
   3 Oct 2017
Thanks Betty. I have looked at some of the other sightings and not all of them are globular even when the individual flowers seem mature. Maybe it is the general dryness which seems to affect size as well..
Tapirlord wrote:
   28 Jul 2023
Pretty sure that is C.variabilis.

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Location information

Sighting information

  • 6 Abundance
  • 1 Oct 2017 05:21 PM Recorded on
  • Mike Recorded by

Additional information

  • True In flower
  • 10cm to 30cm Plant height

Species information

Record quality

  • Images or audio
  • More than one media file
  • Confirmed by an expert moderator
  • Nearby sighting(s) of same species
  • GPS evidence of location
  • Description
  • Additional attributes
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