Family:

Asteraceae

Cassinia laevis

Cough Bush

Other Names: Curry Bush, Inland Cassinia, Rosemary Bush, Wild Rosemary.

Regional Subspecies:

Similar Species:

Distinguish from Common Cassinia (C. aculeata subsp. aculeata) by its thread-like leaves and less compact flower clusters.

Occurrence:

Regional:

Noted in The Rock-Henty-Milbrulong region.

Australia:

NSW, SA, Qld.

Habitat:

Various communities on ridges and stony soils, and in mallee on red sands.

Habit:

Much-branched aromatic shrub to 3 m high with white woolly stems. Linear leaves 1-5 cm long and ± 1 mm wide.

Characteristics:

May cause coughing and irritate eyes.

Flowering:

Creamy-white, spring-autumn. Terminal clusters.

Seed Collection:

Jan-Apr. Shake mature heads into paper bag.

Propagation:

From seed. Surface sow fine seed late winter-early spring and cover lightly.

VALUES:

Wildlife:

Good habitat. Ants and other insects eat seeds.

Timber:

Timber dark with attractive pattern.