Calocephalus citreus

Common name(s): Lemon Beauty Heads

Family: Asteraceae (Compositae)

Plant

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Leaves

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Flowers

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Seeds Scale 0.5mm

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Plant Properties

Origin(s)

Australia

SA: NL, SL, YP, SE

Plant Type

Herb-Perennial

Climate Range(s) - Habitat

Temperate Warm

Aspect Range(s)

Sun - Full, Shade - Dappled

Sun - Full,

Shade - Dappled

Habitat Range(s)

Garden, Grasslands, Forest - Grassy, Landscape, Open Woodlands

Garden,

Grasslands,

Forest - Grassy,

Landscape,

Open Woodlands

Habitat Zone(s)

Gullies / Valley's / Canyon's, Heavy soils, Moist areas, Open areas, Scattered, Well drained

Gullies / Valley's / Canyon's,

Heavy soils,

Moist areas,

Open areas,

Scattered,

Well drained

Plant Shape

Bun - Low Open

Growth Rate

Fast

Life Span

5-10yrs

Leaf Properties

Colour (front)

Silver-grey

Shape(s)

Linear

Aroma

None

Texture (front)

Puberulent

Leaf Length(s)

90-100mm

Margin

Entire

Cross Section(s)

Concave

Venation(s)

Parallel Multicostate Convergent

Arrangement

Opposite

Apice(s)

Acute Narrowly

Attachment

Sessile

Bark / Stem / Culm Properties

Colour(s) Upper

Grey

Texture(s) Upper

Hairs-Soft

Flower Properties

Gender: Bisexual

Time(s)

Spring - Summer

Flower Colour(s)

Yellow-golden

Flower Shape(s)

Composite Oblong

Flower Size(s) Width

10-15mm

Arrangement(s)

Solitary

Fruit Properties

Type

Capitulum

Shape(s)

Oblong

Outer Colour(s)

Brown, Dull

Brown,

Dull

Outer Texture

Papery

Fluffy

Length

10-15mm

Seed Properties

Colour(s)

Brown Light

Shape(s)

Acicular

Texture(s)

Fluffy

Seed Length

< 0.5mm

Seed Number

Many

Root Properties

Type

Fibrous

Texture

Rough / Scabrous

Pliable , Stiff

Pliable,

Stiff

Colour(s)

Brown

Soil Properties

Type(s)

Clay, Clay-loam, Loam, Sandy-loam

Clay,

Clay-loam,

Loam,

Sandy-loam

pH Range(s)

Neutral, Slightly Alkaline, Alkaline

Neutral,

Slightly Alkaline,

Alkaline

Condition(s)

Moist

Dry

Moist,

Dry

Fertile , Poor , Deep , Shallow , Well Drained

Fertile,

Poor,

Deep,

Shallow,

Well Drained

Salinities

Slight

Other Properties / Uses

Bee Attraction

Moderate

Bird Attraction

Insect

Butterfly Attraction

Good

Frog Habitat

None

Coastal

2nd Line

Edible(s)

None

Fire Regeneration(s)

Seed

Fire Retarding

Poor

Drought Tolerance

Very Good

Frost Tolerance

Moderate

Snow Tolerance

None

Smog Tolerant

Moderate

Indigenous Use(s)

None

Landscape Use

Good

Street Use

None

Commercial Use(s)

None

Maintenance(s)

Dead Heading, Pruning - Periodical

Dead Heading,

Pruning - Periodical

Pests/Diseases

Slugs, Snails

Slugs,

Snails

Special Purpose(s)

Groundcover, Shade Tolerant, Shady Dry, Shady Moist, Soil Binder, Temporary Inundation

Groundcover,

Shade Tolerant,

Shady Dry,

Shady Moist,

Soil Binder,

Temporary Inundation

Propagation

Fresh Seed, New Softwood Cuttings

General Notes

An ornamental small plant not common in cultivation but does have potential for landscaping. Will tolerate temporary inundation. It will die down in Winter and reshoot in Spring. Does not like to be disturbed or fertilized.

Propagation Notes

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Fresh Seed

Flowering

Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb

Seed Collecting

Jan, Feb, Mar

Sowing

Sep, Oct, Nov

Material Preparation

Collect entire ripe seed head and allow to dry thoroughly. Break open the old flower/seed head. Clean. Lightly dust stored seed with an insecticide before storing. Store in a cool dark place.

Viability:-

Seeds/gram:-

Propagating Mix

Seed Raising Mix

Treatment

Light seems to enhance germination. Sow fresh seed on the surface and lightly cover with fine gravel, keep moist, place outside.

Viable seeds/gram:- 200

Germination time:- 3 - 7 weeks

Pricking out:- 3 – 4 weeks into tubes after germination

Tube Mix:- Premium Seed Raising Mix

Notes

Often found in seasonally damp areas. The achenes in each fruiting head will loosen and develop a fluffy appearance as they mature.

Soft Wood Cuttings

Flowering

Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb

Cutting

Feb, Mar

Material Preparation

New firm wood tip cuttings or top section of firm new growth stem cuttings, 50-100mm long woth 3-4 nodes. Remove lower leaf section at node. Wash off any soil from ground contact in a mild solution of Phosacid bath to kill any Phytopthera etc, from the field collection. Drain. Mist frequently to keep hydrated.

Propagating Mix

1 part Cocopeat + 1 part Perlite

Treatment

Keep hydrated during prep.. Dip end of cutting in Easiroot rooting hormone. Using a dibber, press gently into tray of mix till the cutting can stand on its own and at least the 2nd node is at mix level. Water in with Previcur fungicide. Mist frequently while continuing cutting process. Place on 21° heated bed with misters. Maintain a hothouse temperature around 20 - 30°C at plant level, where possible. Spray fortnightly with fungicide and every 4 weeks with Seasol.

Rooting time:- Field Stock 8 – 12 weeks

Nursery Stock 6 -8 weeks

Strike Rate:- Field Stock 50 - 60%

Nursery Stock 75 - 95%