Mountain Daisy

Botanical name: Celmisia traversii

Synonyms: Celmisia praestans

Common name(s): Mountain Daisy

About:
A large and impressive mountain daisy forming substantial clumps of broad deep-green leaves backed with rich rusty-brown tomentum. It is one of the most striking large-leaved Celmisia species, valued for its bold foliage, large white flowers and distinctive ferruginous colouring beneath the leaves.

Natural habitat:
Montane and alpine tussocklands, rocky herbfields, shaded bluffs and mountain slopes, particularly on south-facing sites.

Growing environment:
Prefers cool conditions, moist but free-draining soil and some afternoon shade. Tolerates frost and exposed alpine conditions but dislikes persistent humidity and prolonged drought.

Endemic distribution:
Endemic to New Zealand. Found in the South Island from the Tasman Mountains and St Arnaud Range south through inland Marlborough, Canterbury, Fiordland, the Mararoa Valley and the Takitimu Mountains.

Height:
300–500 mm

Width:
Forms large clumps of multiple rosettes, often exceeding 1 m across.

Flowering:
November–March

Fruiting:
December–May

Uses:
• Alpine and mountain gardens
• Native plant collections
• Feature foliage plantings
• Rockeries and scree gardens
• Ecological restoration projects
• Cool-climate landscaping

Appearance:

Growth habit:
A robust woody-based perennial herb forming large tufted clumps of numerous rosettes arising from a concealed multi-headed rootstock.

Leaves:
Large leathery leaves 50–300 mm long, ranging from lanceolate to broad oblong. Upper surfaces are dark green and mostly hairless, while undersides are densely covered in soft rusty-brown to buff tomentum. Leaf margins are edged with ferruginous hairs and often conceal the colourful undersurface.

Flowers:
Large white daisy flowers up to 60 mm across with bright yellow centres, borne singly on stout purple stems clothed in buff to rusty-brown woolly hairs.

Fruit:
Produces ribbed wind-dispersed seeds topped with fine pappus hairs that aid dispersal across mountain habitats.

Ecology:
A characteristic species of southern mountain grasslands and herbfields. Its large rosettes provide shelter for alpine invertebrates, while the flowers attract native pollinating insects. Seeds are dispersed by wind.

Associated habitats:
Tussock grassland, alpine herbfield, rocky slopes, mountain bluffs, south-facing escarpments, river headwaters and subalpine shrubland.

How to grow:
Plant in a cool position with consistently moist but free-draining soil. Suitable for alpine gardens and cool-climate landscapes. Benefits from afternoon shade in warmer districts and protection from excessive summer heat.

Propagation:
Best grown from fresh seed. Established plants can also be propagated by careful division of mature clumps.

Cultural use:
An iconic component of New Zealand’s alpine flora, valued for its dramatic foliage and adaptation to harsh mountain environments.

Garden value:
One of the finest large-leaved mountain daisies for cultivation. The combination of dark green foliage, rusty-brown undersides and large white flowers makes it a spectacular feature plant for alpine gardens, native collections and cool-climate landscapes.