Galvanised Burr
Sclerolaena birchii
A straggly to densely branched, erect, hemispherical, perennial, woody shrub to 1 m, with robust taproot. Branches grey-green, covered with white woolly hairs. Long grey to blue-green tongue-shaped leaves to 25 mm, covered with short white hairs, short-stemmed. Hairy fruit with 4-5 spreading spines.
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Flora Type | Chenopods |
| Former Scientific Name | Bassia birchii |
| Distinctive Features | Hemispherical shrub to 1 m, branches hairy, tongue-shaped grey-green leaves, and nasty sharp burr. |
| Biology | Perennial. Widespread, mainly on sandy soils. Plants readily colonise degraded land. As a pioneer plant it stops erosion, traps seed and debris and protects seedlings that develop in its shelter. Survives long periods of drought as seed, with flush of seedlings with first rain. |
| Native Status | Native |
| Flowering Time | Most of the year |