Celmisia incana

Botanical name: Celmisia incana
Synonyms: None recognised
Common name(s): White Mountain Daisy

About:
Celmisia incana is a distinctive mountain daisy recognised by its dense silvery-white foliage. The leaves are covered in woolly hairs on both surfaces, giving the plant a striking pale appearance throughout the year. It forms low woody mats or cushions topped with white daisy flowers and is one of the more widespread and adaptable alpine daisies in New Zealand.

Natural habitat:
Montane to alpine grasslands, herbfields, boulderfields, rocky outcrops, tors and exposed mountain slopes.

Growing environment:
Prefers cool, open situations with free-draining soils. Thrives in alpine and subalpine environments with good air movement and low humidity.

Endemic distribution:
Endemic to New Zealand. Found from Te Moehau on the Coromandel Peninsula south through both islands to Otago.

Height:
10–15 cm including flower stems

Width:
Up to 1 m or more across in mature colonies

Flowering:
September–March

Fruiting:
November–May

Uses:

• Alpine and rock gardens
• Groundcover for dry, rocky sites
• Native alpine collections
• Scree and gravel gardens
• Habitat restoration in alpine environments

Appearance:

Growth habit:
A low-growing woody perennial forming dense mats or patches of closely packed rosettes. Older stems become stout and woody, carrying long-persistent leaves.

Leaves:
Leaves are obovate-oblong, 2–4 cm long and densely covered in silvery-white hairs on both surfaces. The upper surface often develops a white pellicle, while the underside is clothed in tightly appressed woolly hairs. Margins are slightly recurved and finely toothed.

Flowers:
Produces white daisy flowers 2.5–3.5 cm across on short woolly flower stems. The bright yellow disc contrasts strongly against the silver foliage.

Fruit:
Produces small wind-dispersed seeds fitted with a pappus of fine white hairs.

Ecology:
An important component of alpine and subalpine ecosystems, helping stabilise shallow soils and rocky substrates while providing nectar and pollen for native alpine insects.

Associated habitats:

• Alpine grasslands
• Herbfields
• Boulderfields
• Rocky ridges and tors
• Scree margins
• Subalpine shrubland openings

How to grow:
Plant in a sunny to lightly shaded position with excellent drainage. A gritty, fertile soil is ideal. Avoid humid, poorly ventilated sites and protect from prolonged wet conditions around the crown.

Propagation:
Best propagated from fresh seed. Seed should be sown as soon as possible after collection. Established plants may occasionally be divided, although seed propagation is generally preferred.

Cultural use:
The species is one of New Zealand’s characteristic mountain daisies and represents the unique alpine flora found throughout much of the country’s mountain ranges.

Garden value:
Valued for its striking silver-white foliage, compact growth habit and reliable flowering. It is one of the more adaptable Celmisia species and can perform well in suitable lowland gardens, making it an excellent choice for rockeries, alpine houses and native plant collections.