Scientific Name: Senecio spathulatus var. spathulatus Endemic Having a natural distribution confined to a particular geographic region

Common Name: dune groundsel

Family Classification (Clade): Eudicots

Family: Asteraceae

Form Description: Perennial herb with many branches, erect/prostrate rooting at base then ascending.

Height (m): 0.15 – 0.3

Flowers: Flower heads 2.5-3.5 cm across, solitary or in irregular few-flowered terminal clusters; florets yellow.

Fruit: Achene – ridged, pappus bristles very fine and silky.

Municipality
No data available for this species
Plant Communities
Coastal Vegetation
Habitat Notes

Common on sandy foreshores in the south, west and north of the State and abundant on islands in the south-west and in Bass Strait.

Site Tolerance

Dry, Exposed, Windy

Soil Tolerance

Nutrient-poor, Sandy, Well-drained

Propagation Calendar

  • Flowering Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Seed Collecting Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Sowing Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Cutting Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Propagation Method
Seed

Seed Information

Seed Collection

Seeds appear fluffy and come away from heads easily when mature. Collect entire seed heads into paper bags and allow to dry. Rub seed heads on fine wire screens or break up by hand. Sieve to clean.

Seed Treatment Method

Standard Scatter seed thinly on to damp potting mix. Hold seed in place by covering with more potting mix to approximately the depth of the seed size.

Seed Storage Life

Short

Seed Treatment Notes

Surface sow or lightly cover. Seedlings may be prone to damping off so the use of capillary watering may be helpful. Some species lose viability quickly.

Germination Time

2-5 weeks