Astrotricha floccosa DC.

Nomenclature and Common Name

Astrotricha floccosa DC., commonly called the flannel leaf, is a plant species native to eastern Australia.

Growth Form and Size

It is an erect shrub that typically reaches around 2 metres in height, though it may occasionally grow up to 4 metres tall.

Generic Name Etymology

Its generic name Astrotricha derives from Greek, meaning "star hairs", which refers to the plant's covering of star-shaped hairs.

Specific Epithet Etymology

The specific epithet floccosa comes from Latin, meaning "woolly".

Indumentum Characteristics

Woolly white hairs grow on the underside of its leaves and on its stems.

Habitat Requirements

This species grows on poor soils in dry sclerophyll eucalyptus woodland.

Distribution Range

It occurs in areas near Sydney, and ranges west as far as Springwood in the lower Blue Mountains.

Leaf Dimensions

Its leaves are relatively narrow, measuring between 7.5 and 27 cm in length, and 2 to 5 cm in width.

Leaf Stalk Characteristics

Leaf stalks are usually 10 to 30 mm long, which are shorter than the leaf stalks of the similar related species Astrotricha latifolia.