Leucochrysum alpinum, commonly known as alpine sunray,[1] is a flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. It is a small, clumping perennial with grey leaves, white flower-heads and is endemic to Australia.
Leucochrysum alpinum is a perennial herb to about high and leaves that are woolly and whitish. The white flower heads are in diameter, outer involucral bracts oblong or oval-shaped, mostly purplish or brownish, sessile and florets yellow. Flowering occurs from December to February and the fruit is an egg-shaped achene long, smooth to almost warty, bristly and brown.[1] [2]
Leucochrysum alpinum was first described in 1859 by Ferdinand von Mueller who gave it the name Helipterum incanum var. alpinum. In 2010 R.J.Dennis & Neville Grant Walsh changed the name to Leucochrysum alpinum and the description was published in Muelleria.[3] [4]
Alpine sunray grows at higher altitudes and in subalpine heath and grasslands mostly on shallow soils in New South Wales and Victoria.[1] [2]