Celmisia densiflora

Botanical name: Celmisia densiflora
Synonyms: None known
Common name(s): Mountain Daisy

About:
Celmisia densiflora is a handsome alpine mountain daisy forming dense tufts of broad silver-backed leaves and producing large white daisy flowers on stout purple-tinged stems. It is widespread through the eastern and southern mountains of the South Island and is well adapted to harsh alpine conditions, including frost, snow and exposed sites.

Natural habitat:
Montane to subalpine grasslands, herbfields, fellfields and open subalpine shrublands.

Growing environment:
Prefers cool climates with moist, free-draining soils. Thrives in alpine gardens, rock gardens and raised beds where humidity is low and air circulation is good.

Endemic distribution:
Endemic to New Zealand. Found from southern Marlborough and North Canterbury south to northern Southland.

Height:
15–40 cm in flower

Width:
20–50 cm

Flowering:
November–January

Fruiting:
December–April

Uses:

• Alpine and rock gardens
• Native plant collections
• Mountain and scree gardens
• Habitat restoration in alpine environments
• Feature foliage plant

Appearance:

Growth habit:
A tufted perennial arising from a stout woody stock. Dense overlapping leaf sheaths form a short pseudo-stem at the base.

Leaves:
Narrowly obovate to oblong leaves, 6–15 cm long and 1.5–4 cm wide. The upper surface is green and mostly hairless, while the underside is densely covered in silky white tomentum. Margins are slightly recurved with bluntly toothed edges.

Flowers:
Large white daisy flowers 25–40 mm across with bright yellow centres. Flowers are carried singly on sturdy purplish stems that are often slightly sticky.

Fruit:
Produces wind-dispersed seeds equipped with a fine pappus of silky hairs.

Ecology:
Provides nectar and pollen for alpine insects during summer flowering. Its dense root system helps stabilise fragile mountain soils and withstands extreme alpine weather. Seeds are dispersed by wind.

Associated habitats:
Alpine grasslands, herbfields, fellfields, subalpine shrublands, rocky slopes and mountain terraces.

How to grow:
Plant in a cool, partially shaded position with permanently moist but free-draining soil. It performs best in acidic soils rich in organic matter. Avoid hot, humid sites and prevent the soil from drying out completely.

Propagation:
Usually grown from fresh seed, which should be sown immediately after collection or cold stratified for one to three months before sowing. Established plants may also be divided carefully.

Cultural use:
Represents the distinctive alpine flora of New Zealand’s South Island mountains and contributes to the diversity of mountain herbfields.

Garden value:
A reliable and attractive mountain daisy valued for its silver-backed foliage and bright white flowers. It is an excellent choice for alpine gardens, cool-climate rockeries and collectors of New Zealand native alpine plants.