| Actinotus helianthi | |
|---|---|
 | |
| At Henry Head Track,Botany Bay National Park | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Apiales |
| Family: | Apiaceae |
| Genus: | Actinotus |
| Species: | A. helianthi |
| Binomial name | |
| Actinotus helianthi | |
 | |
| Occurrence data fromAVH | |
Actinotus helianthi, known as theflannel flower, is a common species of flowering plant native to the bushland around Sydney. It was named and first described by the French botanistJacques Labillardière in hisNovae Hollandiae Plantarum Specimen the first general flora of Australia. According to historianEdward Duyker Labillardière could not have collected the type specimen personally and might have received it fromJean-Baptiste Leschenault de La Tour botanist on the expedition ofNicolas Baudin or another early French visitor to New South Wales.[1]
Despite its appearance, it is not a member of thedaisy family but rather a species of theApiaceae (formerlyMackinlayaceae)family, the same family as the carrot. Itsgeneric name, meaning "furnished with rays", is derived from theGreek stemaktin-/ακτιν- "ray" or "spoke of a wheel" or "sunbeam",[2][3] while its specific epithet is derived from its resemblance to the genusHelianthus.[4] An iconic Sydney plant, its floral display has horticultural appeal which has seen limited use in the home garden and cut flower industry. It grows alongside the relatedlesser flannel flower (A. minor).
The flannel flower is generally aherbaceousshrub growing up to 50 cm (18 in) high, although rare specimens can be found to be 1.5 m (5 feet) high.[3] The stem, branches and leaves of the plant are a pale grey in colour, covered in downy hair (rather likeflannel in texture). The attractively lobed leaves are up to 10 cm (4 in) long and 7 cm (3 in) wide, withdaisy-shaped flowerheads around 5 or occasionally 8 cm (2–3 in) in diameter. Thebracts are cream to white in colour. Flowering occurs in spring and may be profuse afterbushfires.[4]
Flannel flowers grow insandstoneheathland in coastalNew South Wales andQueensland, and are commonly seen around the Sydney basin in spring.
Plants may be propagated by seed or cutting and grow in a well-drained sunny position, and are suitable for use in arockery orcottage garden. TheMount Annan Botanic Garden has been involved in selecting and breedingcultivars for the home garden and the cut flower industry.[5] One selection was namedActinotus 'Federation Star', and was chosen to be the New South Wales floral emblem for the Centenary of Federation (1901–2001).
The flannel flower is an iconic Sydney plant and has been used in imagery and art since colonial times.
In St Bede's Church in the Sydney suburb ofDrummoyne, the early 20th century work The Waratah Window byAlfred Handel depicts Australian native flowers, including thewaratah, emblem of the state of New South Wales, and flannel flowers,Christmas bells andwattles. Flannel flowers are the emblem of the Sydney Bush Walkers' club established in 1927.
