About Brachyscome multifida DC.
Brachyscome multifida DC. is an ascending, smooth annual plant that grows up to 45 cm (18 in) tall. Its leaves are fine, deeply divided, up to 7 cm (2.8 in) long, and carry 7 to 10 lobes that measure up to 35 mm (1.4 in) long. The flowerheads of this species are mauve, pink, or white, and measure approximately 4 mm (0.16 in) in diameter. Their peduncles are most commonly 4–14 cm (1.6–5.5 in) long, though they can reach up to 40 cm in length. The ray florets are mauve, pink, or white and grow 7 to 10 mm long. Its main flowering season runs from early autumn to mid winter (March to June), though daisy-like flowerheads can appear at any time of year. After flowering, the plant produces a wedge-shaped achene fruit that is brown to black, swollen, smooth, warty, and 1.9–2.4 mm (0.075–0.094 in) long. Brachyscome multifida grows naturally on dry, shallow, or rocky soils in sclerophyll forest or grassland in Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland. This species and its cultivars are popular in horticulture, used for mass plantings, hanging baskets, border plantings, and for spilling over retaining walls. It can be grown in a wide range of soils, tolerates dry conditions, and benefits from supplementary watering. It grows best in full sun positions, though it tolerates partial shade. It is relatively frost tolerant, though its foliage may experience burn damage from frost. It propagates readily from cuttings, which root easily. It can also be propagated by layering or grown from seed, though seed germination rates are usually poor.
