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Cassinia

Family

Compositae

In our open grounds this genus is at present represented by four evergreen shrubs, introduced from New Zealand. Other species are found in Australia and S. Africa. They have a certain resemblance to the heaths in habit and in their small, crowded, narrow leaves, but bear their numerous tiny flowers (or rather flower-heads) in flattish terminal clusters. Such beauty as the flower-heads possess is given by the white, recurved tips of the inner bracts. The four species here included are very much alike in general appearance, and are not easily distinguished on paper. C. fulvida, however, the best and hardiest of the four, may generally be recognised in company with leptophylla by the yellowish cast of the upturned branch and the viscid leaves and twigs. C. leptophylla is grey-white instead of yellow, and not viscid. They can all be propagated easily by late summer cuttings, and will grow in a sandy loam or peaty soil. Even C. fulvida, the hardiest of the four, is apt to get browned in winter, and may need pruning back in spring.

Species articles