About Cassinia quinquefaria R.Br.
Taxonomic Identity and Growth Form
Cassinia quinquefaria R.Br. is a shrub that usually reaches a height of 1 to 3 meters (3 feet 3 inches to 9 feet 10 inches).
Foliage Characteristics
Its foliage is covered in spreading glandular hairs and is typically sticky.
Leaf Shape and Size
The leaves are linear in shape, measuring 20 to 40 millimeters (0.79 to 1.57 inches) long and 1 to 1.5 millimeters (0.039 to 0.059 inches) wide.
Leaf Surface Features
The upper surface of each leaf is sticky, the leaf edges are rolled under, and the lower leaf surface is covered in fine hairs.
Flower Head Shape and Size
Individual flower heads are oblong to bell-shaped, 2.5 to 3 millimeters (0.098 to 0.118 inches) long and 1.0 to 3.0 millimeters (0.039 to 0.118 inches) wide.
Flower Head Composition
Each flower head holds five or six creamy-white florets, and is surrounded by four or five overlapping rows of involucral bracts.
Inflorescence Structure
The flower heads are arranged in a dense, pyramid-shaped panicle that measures 50 to 100 millimeters (2.0 to 3.9 inches) long and 40 to 60 millimeters (1.6 to 2.4 inches) wide.
Flowering Period
Flowering occurs mainly in summer and autumn.
Fruit and Pappus Features
The achenes are about 0.8 millimeters (0.031 inches) long, with a pappus 2 to 2.5 millimeters (0.079 to 0.098 inches) long.
Habitat
This species of cassinia grows in woodland and forest habitats.
Distribution Range
It is widespread across eastern New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, and south-eastern Queensland.
