About Brunonia australis Sm. ex R.Br.
Brunonia australis, commonly known as the blue pincushion or native cornflower, is an annual or perennial herb that grows widely across Australia. It occurs in woodlands, open forest, and sand plains. Under Cronquist's classification system, it was the only species in the monogeneric plant family Brunoniaceae. The APG II system reclassified it into the family Goodeniaceae, which it shares the defining feature of a stylar pollen-cup called an indusium, a trait restricted to these taxa. Brunonia is distinct from other members of Goodeniaceae due to its radially symmetric flowers, superior ovary, and lack of endosperm in its seeds. Its leaves reach approximately 10 cm in length and grow in a basal rosette. Flowering typically occurs in spring, when dense hemispherical clusters of many small, bright blue flowers develop on multiple stems (scapes) that can grow up to 50 cm tall. For cultivation, this plant is easy to propagate from seed or by dividing established plants. However, it can be difficult to establish in cultivation, and may die after only a few years. It should be grown in well-drained soil, in positions with either full sun or partial shade.
