Coastal Woollyhead

Botanical name: Craspedia uniflora var. maritima
Synonyms: None
Common name(s): Coastal Woollyhead

About:
Craspedia uniflora var. maritima is a rare coastal variety of New Zealand’s woollyhead, endemic to exposed rocky shorelines. It forms a basal rosette of broad pale green leaves edged with a distinctive white woolly margin and produces a solitary bright yellow globe-shaped flower head on a sturdy ribbed stem. It is a highly specialised plant adapted to harsh coastal cliff environments.

Natural habitat:
Coastal cliffs, rocky escarpments, exposed coastal bluffs and cliff faces.

Growing environment:
Prefers full sun and sharply drained rocky soils. Well adapted to wind, drought and coastal exposure but dislikes prolonged wet conditions.

Endemic distribution:
Endemic to New Zealand. Naturally found around coastal Wellington, mainly the western coastline, with historic records from Ocean Beach and Oamaru in the South Island.

Height:
20–40 cm

Width:
20–40 cm

Flowering:
Mainly December–February, occasionally from August through to April.

Fruiting:
January–April, occasionally extending to August.

Uses:
• Coastal native gardens
• Rock gardens
• Native plant collections
• Alpine and dryland gardens
• Conservation plantings

Appearance:
Growth habit:
A compact rhizomatous perennial forming a dense basal rosette with a single upright flowering stem.

Leaves:
Broad spoon-shaped pale green leaves, 6–15 cm long, covered with sparse cottony hairs and bordered by a very distinctive white woolly margin.

Flowers:
A solitary bright yellow globe-shaped flower head 2.5–3 cm across, borne on a stout ribbed flowering stem rising above the foliage.

Fruit:
Small silky-haired brown seeds equipped with a feathery pappus that enables wind dispersal.

Ecology:
An important specialist of rocky coastal habitats where its seeds are dispersed by wind. The flowers attract native pollinating insects and are well adapted to exposed, salt-laden environments.

Associated habitats:
Coastal rock outcrops, cliff faces, escarpments and exposed maritime herbfields.

How to grow:
Plant in full sun in very free-draining sandy, gravelly or rocky soil. Avoid heavy or waterlogged soils. Once established it is drought tolerant and requires very little maintenance.

Propagation:
Usually propagated from fresh seed. Division of established clumps may also be successful when carried out carefully.

Cultural use:
This rare coastal variety represents one of New Zealand’s specialised coastal daisy communities and is an important component of native cliff and escarpment ecosystems.

Garden value:
An excellent feature plant for coastal and rock gardens. The attractive pale foliage with its distinctive white woolly margins contrasts beautifully with the bright yellow flower heads, while its compact habit and tolerance of exposed conditions make it ideal for difficult coastal sites.