About Spyridium vexilliferum (Hook.) Reissek
Spyridium vexilliferum (Hook.) Reissek is a low-lying to erect shrub that usually reaches a maximum height of 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in). Its branchlets are densely covered in star-shaped, often rust-coloured hairs. The plant's leaves are linear to narrowly elliptic, measuring 8–25 mm (0.31–0.98 in) long and 1–7 mm (0.039–0.276 in) wide. At the base of each leaf are narrow brown stipules 1–3 mm (0.039–0.118 in) long. Leaf edges are rolled under; the upper leaf surface is hairless and shiny, while the lower surface is covered in whitish hairs or often obscured. The flower heads are around 5 mm (0.20 in) in diameter, covered in shaggy hairs, and surrounded by up to 4 egg-shaped or oblong, woolly-white floral leaves. Flowering occurs mainly from September to January. Two varieties have distinct ranges and habitats: the autonymic variety vexilliferum grows in sandy heath, heathy woodland, mallee, and on rocky outcrops, ranging from the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia to scattered sites in south-western Victoria, as well as in eastern, northern, and western Tasmania. Variety latifolium is only found from south-eastern South Australia to the Portland area in south-western Victoria.
