About Actinodium cunninghamii Schauer ex Lindl.
Actinodium cunninghamii (scientific name: Actinodium cunninghamii Schauer ex Lindl.) is a small, compact shrub, usually growing up to 30 cm (12 in) in height. Its leaves are around 4 mm (0.16 in) long and 1–2 mm (0.039–0.079 in) wide. Flowers of this species are arranged in pinkish-brown, daisy-like flower heads that are 20–30 mm (0.79–1.18 in) across. Each head is composed of many tiny, bell-shaped flowers, surrounded by sterile, strap-shaped ray flowers. A related, currently undescribed species is provisionally named Actinodium sp. 'Fitzgerald River'; both this species and A. cunninghamii share the common name Albany daisy. Actinodium sp. 'Fitzgerald River' is a sparsely-branched shrub that grows up to 1 m (3 ft 3 in) tall, with leaves 5–6 mm (0.20–0.24 in) long. Its flower heads are pink and white, and measure 40–50 mm (1.6–2.0 in) wide. This undescribed species is more common than A. cunninghamii. In terms of distribution and habitat, A. cunninghamii grows in moist, sandy soil within forest and kwongan vegetation, and it is uncommon in its natural habitat. Both Actinodium species generally grow in winter-wet depressions in near-coastal areas close to Albany, in the south-west of Western Australia. For use in horticulture, Actinodium sp. 'Fitzgerald River' (often misidentified and grown as A. cunninghamii) is cultivated in gardens. It is a short-lived plant that needs good drainage and a sheltered growing position, and it can be propagated from cuttings.
