Plant of the month – Common Lagenifera

Botanical Name: Lagenophora stipitata (Synonym: Lagenifera stipitata)

Common Name: Common Lagenifera

Family: Asteraceae

Meaning:

Lagenophora: From Latin meaning flagon or flask bearing, referring to the fruit.

stipitata: From Latin, meaning stalked.

Habitat: Grasslands, woodlands and sclerophyll forests, from the coast to higher altitudes. Prefers part shade and in some places forms a groundcover-like mat.

Soils: Mainly on sandstone in moist soils.

Habit: Small, tufted herb to 20cm.

Leaves: Rosette at the base, covered in small hairs, toothed, sometimes purplish.

Flowers: Variable. White to pink and purple. Usually to 10mm wide.

Flowering time: Spring and Summer.

Seed: Single seeded fruits are flask shaped.

Range: Queensland to Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania, mainly east of the ranges. This one in Baulkham Hills, in Sydney Turpentine-Ironbark Forest