The marble daisy-bush is a small, perennial shrub growing to 0.5 m tall, with a dense covering of
fine, star-shaped hairs. The stems are erect, smooth and pale green when young, turning brown
when mature. The leaves are grey-green, spoon shaped with a hairy lower surface and 18 mm x
10 mm in size. The leaf margins are often lobed in the distal half. The leaves are crowded,
alternate and sessile (lacking a leaf stalk). The inflorescence (cluster of flowers) is a solitary,
terminal capitulum, 15 Ð 32 mm in diameter, and has a typical ‘daisyÕ appearance. The inner
disc florets (which make up the centre of the inflorescence) are bisexual with purple petals. The
outer ray florets are female, with violet ligules (fused petals) that have three lobes at the apex.
The yellow stigmas and stamens appear as a yellow ÔbuttonÕ in the centre of the inflorescence
(DSE 2009; Earl & Bramwell 1999; Lander & Walsh 1989; Walsh & Entwisle 1999).
Marble Daisy-bush |
Olearia astroloba
Status: Vulnerable on the EPBC Act list
Government evidence of impact of climate change:
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Australian Government, Conservation Advice, Olearia astroloba
However; increased fire frequency is suspected to threaten the marble daisy bush and associated flora species (Carter Walsh 2006 DSE 2009).