Galvanised burr

Sclerolaena birchii

Leaves: Bluish-green, obovate, flat, 12-18mm long and 4-7mm wide. Leaves are densely wooly/hairy on both surfaces, as are stems, giving the plant its characteristic 'galvanised' appearance.

Flowers: Flowers are bisexual and occur singularly in the leaf axil. Flowering is almost constant, there is no fixed season.

Fruit: Fruit is 2-3mm in diameter, wooly with 4-5 spines. Spines are almost horizontal with the shortest grouped together. The longest spine is 5mm. The fruiting body provides the seed with a level of dormancy as the the burr needs to be penetrated in order for seeds to germinate.