Cassinia Brachyglottis

Botanical name: Brachyglottis cassinioides
Synonyms: Senecio cassinioides
Common name(s): Cassinia Brachyglottis

About:
Bushy rounded greyish-green shrub endemic to the South Island of New Zealand. Recognised by its loose papery bark, small leathery leaves, and clusters of yellow daisy-like flowers at the tips of branches.

Natural habitat:
Subalpine scrubland, rocky slopes, open grasslands, meadows, and exposed shrublands.

Growing environment:
Cold tolerant, Frost tolerant, Wind tolerant, Drought tolerant, Free-draining soil tolerant, Full sun.

Endemic distribution:
Endemic to the South Island of New Zealand.

Height:
Typically 1.2–1.8 m tall, occasionally up to 3 m

Width:
Approximately 1–2 m wide

Flowering:
Summer

Fruiting:
Late summer–Autumn

Uses:

• Native shrub plantings
• Alpine and subalpine gardens
• Dry exposed sites
• Rock gardens
• Shelter and habitat plantings
• Restoration projects

Appearance:

Growth habit:
Much-branched evergreen shrub with a dense rounded habit and brittle branchlets. Older stems develop distinctive loose papery bark.

Leaves:
Small sessile leaves closely arranged along stems, narrow-oblong, leathery, greyish-green above and white to yellowish-white beneath due to dense tomentum. Leaves upright and closely overlapping.

Flowers:
Small bright yellow daisy-like flower heads borne singly at the ends of branchlets. Flower heads less than 1 cm across with short recurved ray florets.

Fruit:
Small grooved achenes topped with stiff bristled pappus hairs aiding wind dispersal.

Ecology:
Adapted to exposed subalpine environments with dry soils and strong winds. Dense branching and leathery foliage reduce moisture loss and provide shelter for small alpine fauna and insects.

Associated habitats:
Often found amongst subalpine shrublands, rocky grasslands, herbfields, and open mountain slopes.

How to grow:
Prefers full sun and very well-drained soils. Performs best in dry exposed sites, rock gardens, raised beds, and alpine plantings. Avoid wet or poorly drained conditions.

Propagation:
Usually propagated from fresh seed or semi-hardwood cuttings taken during spring or summer.

Cultural significance:
Part of New Zealand’s distinctive subalpine shrub flora and valued for its resilience in harsh exposed environments.

Garden value:
An attractive hardy native shrub valued for its compact form, silvery-grey foliage, peeling bark, and masses of cheerful yellow flowers during summer.