Star Bluebush

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©Tony Rodd CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Sclerolaena stelligera

Short-lived perennial to 30 cm high. Branches densely cottony-white. Leaves semi-circular in cross-section, succulent to 15 mm long, cottony when young. Small fruit not quite spherical and star-shaped, smooth to slightly hairy with a narrow wing at the top divided into 10_12 small spines or teeth.

Details
Flora Type
Chenopods
Former Scientific Name
Bassia stelligera
Distinctive Features

Small herb to 30 cm with cottony white branches, succulent leaves and star-shaped fruit.
Biology

Perennial. Widespread on heavy soils. Palatable to stock and considered a useful forage species, especially in dry periods.
Native Status
Native
Flowering Time

Fruits mostly spring
Taxonomy
Phylum
Tracheophyta (Vascular Plants)
Class
Magnoliopsida (Flowering Plants)
Order
Caryophyllales
Family
Chenopodiaceae
Genus
Sclerolaena
Species
stelligera

Source: Atlas of Living Australia

Stelligera means star-bearing.

Interesting Facts
Native Status
Native