Calomeria Explained

Calomeria is a plant genus in the family Asteraceae.^[1]

Accepted species

• Calomeria africana (S.Moore) Heine - Mozambique
• Calomeria amaranthoides Vent. - New South Wales and Victoria in Australia

formerly included^[2] several species now in other genera, including Basedowia, Cassinia, Helichrysum, Humeocline and Thiseltonia.

Description

Calomeria amaranthoides is a tall, fragrant biennial herb, growing to 3.5 metres in height. It has sticky stems and leaves which are green above and whitish beneath and are up to 15 cm long and 5 cm wide. Its flowers appear in large brown to red plumes in the summer (January to April in its native range).^[3]

Taxonomy

The genus was first formally described by E.P. Ventenat in Jardin de la Malmaison in 1804.^[2]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Calomeria amranthoides Vent. . 2008-04-14 . PlantNET - New South Wales Flora Online . Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust, Sydney Australia.
2. Web site: Calomeria. 2008-04-14. Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government, Canberra.
3. Book: Costermans, L.. Native Trees and Shrubs of South-eastern Australia . Rigby. Australia . 1981 . 072701403X.