#burr-daisy

[drhoz]

#2165 - Calotis cuneifolia -

Purple Burr-Daisy

AKA Australian Wedgeleaf. Synonyms for the genus - mostly Australian, and two in Asia, are Cheiroloma, Goniopogon and Tolbonia.

A native to Australia, but also found in Massachusetts, where it may have been imported as a ornamental, or arrived as burrs stuck on livestock.

Widespread in Eastern and Central Australia, and growing up to 60cms tall, with blue or purple flowers.

Willans Hill, Wagga Wagga, NSW

[drhoz]

Wishing everyone a special and safe festive season. This eastern grey kangaroo mother (Macropus giganteus) reminds me of all the weary parents who can't wait for school to go back! It's been an amazingly good season, and the desert is green and lush. The rough burr-daisy burrs (Calotis scabiosifolia) adorning the mother's coat are evidence of the verdant growth and successful flowering of the shrubs and forbs of the forest understorey. While they look terrible, these large sticky burrs are very soft and fall apart easily - they pose no danger to wildlife as they hitch a lift to new territories on the coats of native animals and humans alike.