Wikimedia Commons
Apiaceae
Flannel Flower
Actinotus helianthi
resilience and beauty.
- Family
- Apiaceae
- Genus
- Actinotus
- Native to
- Australia (New South Wales, Queensland)
- Bloom season
- Spring, Summer
- Type
- perennial herb
- Height
- 1-3 ft
- Sunlight
- full sun to part shade
- Soil
- sandy, well-drained, low-fertility
- Water
- low
- Hardiness
- 9-11
- Lifespan
- perennial
Did you know
- The flannel flower is the floral emblem of New South Wales and was chosen to represent the state in 2000.
- Its soft, felt-like texture comes from fine white hairs covering the bracts — these are not true petals but modified leaves.
- It thrives after bushfires, with seeds germinating prolifically in post-fire soils rich in ash and nutrients.
- The genus name Actinotus means 'backed with rays' in Greek, referring to the star-like arrangement of bracts.
- Flannel flowers are notoriously difficult to cultivate outside their native sandy heath habitat and resist transplanting.
Color meanings
0
resilience
1
serenity
2
beauty in adversity