Leucochrysum albicans

Family: Asteraceae
Distribution: Tablelands from south east Queensland through to western Victoria, extending to alpine regions. Coastal and mountain areas in Tasmania
Common Name: Hoary Sunray
Conservation Status: Subspecies tricolor is listed as Endangered under the EPBC Act* (ie. facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future, as determined in accordance with prescribed criteria). Probable classification 2E under the ROTAP * system
Derivation of Name: Leucochrysum….From Greek, leuco, white and chrysos, gold, referring to the colours of the flower heads in most forms.
albicans…From Latin albescens, whitening or becoming white, presumably referring to the bracts of L. albicans subsp. albicans which may fade to white.

General Description:

Leucochrysum is a small genus of six species all of which were formerly classified in the genus Helipterum. Leucochrysum albicans was previously known as Helipterum albicans.

Leucochrysum albicans is an erect perennial or annual plant up to 0.3 metres high. Two subspecies are recognised; ssp.albicans and ssp.tricolor. L.albicans ssp tricolor is known from three separate areas in Tasmania, Victoria and south-eastern NSW and ACT. It has white bracts surrounding the yellow central cluster of small flowers. In contrast, ssp. albicans has yellow bracts.

The narrow, linear leaves of L.albicans are greyish-green and form a grass-like clump of foliage. The flower heads are seen mainly during spring and summer and are 25 to 40 mm in diameter and occur singly at the ends of slender stems.

Subspecies tricolor is not often seen in cultivation. Subspecies albicans is, however, a popular species for growing in temperate areas where it can be a colourful feature for sites in part or full sun and in well drained soils. It is ideal for filling in bare areas of the garden.

Propagation from seed can be carried out without any pretreatment. Cuttings of hardened, current season’s growth usually strike without difficulty.