Brachyglottis greyi

Brachyglottis greyi, also called Senecio greyi, with the common name daisy bush[2] [3] is a member of the large family Asteraceae and belongs to the genus Brachyglottis[1] or the genus Senecio[4] depending on which authority is being followed, an endemic native of New Zealand[1] and lately getting positive attention from gardeners.[5][6]

Brachyglottis greyi, about 0.8 metres across in this picture.

Brachyglottis greyi
Daisy bush
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Asterids
Order:	Asterales
Family:	Asteraceae
Tribe:	Senecioneae
Genus:	Brachyglottis
Species:	B. greyi
Binomial name
Brachyglottis greyi (Hook. f.) B. Nord.
Synonyms
Senecio greyi Hook.f.[1]

Description

Often seen in gardens and suitable for warm and maritime districts[7] and tolerant of hot sun, poor soils, wind and coastal exposure,[2] New Zealand native broadleaf evergreen shrub Brachyglottis greyi can be found sprawled in the hot sun, poor soils and coastal breezes;[2] maturing into mounds 1.2 metres (4 ft) to 1.5 metres (5 ft) tall and 1.8 metres (6 ft) wide.[8]

Stems and leaves: Somewhat curving stems, covered in white down.[8]

Leaves alternate, simple, oblong to ovate-oblong, 4 centimetres (2 in) to 8 centimetres (3 in) long and 2.5 centimetres (1 in) to 4 centimetres (2 in) wide[8] with wavy margins.[2] Green above,[8] white down underneath, giving silver-grey appearance.[2]

Flowers: Panicles[7] of bright yellow daisy flowers in abundance.[2]

In horticulture

Dunedin Hybrids: A group of hybrids, from New Zealand, between Brachyglottis greyi, Brachyglottis laxifolia, and Brachyglottis compacta and misidentified in gardens as Senecio greyi or Senecio laxifolius.[8]

These hybrids are hardy where it is warm and dry, they do well in coastal areas similar to where their parents live[7] and mature into sprawling bushes of highly attractive foliage[2] usually wider than high. Greyish foliage, the undersides of the leaves and stems are covered in white down and spectacular when in bloom with branching heads of brilliant yellow daisy-flowers.[7]

The best known is "Sunshine" originally from New Zealand.[8]

"Moria Read" is a variation of "Sunshine" whose leaves have a central, variously shaped areas of cream and pale green. It originated at Liskeard, Cornwall.[7]

Distribution

Primarily a coastal species of rock outcrops and bluffs but may extend inland up river gorges and in suitably exposed bluff habitats. Confined to the southern North Island from near Flat Point south to the mouth of the Orongorongo River.[1]

Native & Current:

Australasia:

New Zealand: North Island[4]

References

1. "New Zealand Plant Conservation Network". Vascular Plants. Retrieved 2010-10-04.
2. "Brachyglottis photography". New Zealand plants photography. 2007-06-13. Retrieved 2008-04-10.
3. Greater Wellington Regional Council (2009-10-30). "Main Plant List: Shrubs". Wellington Regional Native Plant Guide. Archived from the original on 2012-03-08. Retrieved 2010-10-10.
4. "Brachyglottis greyi". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 2008-04-10.
5. Plants for a Future. "Brachyglottis greyi". Plants For A Future: Database Search Results. Retrieved 2008-04-10.
6. Levine, Ketzel (2003). "Plant Profiles: Senecio". Ketzel Levine's Talking Plants. National Public Radio. Retrieved 2008-04-10.
7. Thomas, Graham Stuart; Thomas Graham Stuart (2004). "Alphabetical List of Shrubs". Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. frances lincoln ltd. pp. 592 pages. ISBN 0-7112-2395-5. Retrieved 2008-04-10.
8. "Brachyglottis greyi". Oregon State University, LANDSCAPE PLANTS. Retrieved 2008-04-10.

External links

Media related to Brachyglottis greyi at Wikimedia Commons Media related to Brachyglottis Dunedin hybrids at Wikimedia Commons Data related to Brachyglottis greyi at Wikispecies