About Cassinia laevis R.Br.
Cassinia laevis is a shrub that typically grows 1.5 to 3 meters (4 feet 11 inches to 9 feet 10 inches) tall. It has erect, densely branched stems and produces a curry-like odour. Its leaves are crowded, linear, and measure 10 to 50 millimeters (0.39 to 1.97 inches) long by about 1.0 millimeter (0.039 inches) wide. The upper surface of the leaves is shiny, while the lower surface has fine hairs that are obscured by the leaf's rolled edges. The plant's flower heads are 3 to 4 millimeters (0.12 to 0.16 inches) long and 1 to 2 millimeters (0.039 to 0.079 inches) wide, arranged in pyramid-shaped panicles 50 to 100 millimeters (2.0 to 3.9 inches) in diameter. Each flower head holds two to four creamy-white florets, which are surrounded by involucral bracts arranged in four or five whorls. Flowering takes place in spring and autumn. The plant produces achenes about 0.8 millimeters (0.031 inches) long, with a pappus about 2.5 millimeters (0.098 inches) long. Cassinia laevis is widespread in Queensland, New South Wales, and eastern South Australia, with additional records of occurrence from the Northern Territory. It grows in a wide variety of habitats, and is often found on stony ridges and in mallee areas.
