Syn: Aster sessiliflorus (Hook. f.) F. Muell., Celmisia sessiliflora var. exigua G. Simpson et J. S. Thomson, Celmisia sessiliflora var. pedunculata Kirk, Elcismia sessiliflora (Hook. f.) B. L. Rob
Family: Asteraceae Bercht. et J. Presl
Distribution: Endemic to the South Island of New Zealand.
Ecology: It grows on rocky slopes and pastures, in alpine areas. It blooms from October to February.
Description: Evergreen subshrub, to 10 cm tall, branched. Branchlets densely leafy, leaves in rosettes, linear, 10–30 mm long and 1.5–3 mm wide, fleshy, leathery, both surfaces appressed white hairy. Scape very short, hairy. Capitula 1.5–2(–3) cm in diameter; involucral bracts linear-subulate, up to 12 mm long; ray-florets 15–17 mm long, white, disc-florets c. 8 mm long, yellow, narrowly funnel-shaped. The fruit is a cylindrical achene, 3–4 mm long, with a white pappus.
Use: It is grown as a slow-growing ground cover for rockeries. It requires well-drained soils, shade in warm areas and protection from winter moisture.
These images were taken in New Zealand, South Island, Fiordland NP (December 4, 2011).
