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Calotis spp.

burr-daisy

Asteraceae Australia and eastern Asia

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Drought Tolerant Container Friendly

SunFull Sun

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 9–11

Overview

Calotis spp. is a genus of small annual and perennial herbs in the daisy family (Asteraceae), native mostly to Australia with a few species in eastern Asia, known as burr-daisies. Plants are low and often spreading, 2-16 inches (5-40 cm) tall, with narrow, sometimes lobed or toothed leaves and slender, branching stems. Single daisy flowerheads 0.3-1 inch (8-25 mm) wide top the stems, the ray florets white, blue, mauve, or yellow around a yellow centre. After flowering each seed develops barbed bristles or awns, so the seed heads form small burrs that catch in fur, wool, and clothing and aid dispersal. Several species are short-lived colonisers of bare or disturbed ground and can become weedy in pasture, where the burrs contaminate wool. Calotis spp. grows in grassland, open woodland, and seasonally dry inland soils, tolerating heat and drought but dying back or setting seed in extended dry spells.

Native Range

Calotis spp. is native to Australia, where it occurs across all mainland states, especially in inland and semi-arid regions, with a few species reaching eastern Asia. Plants grow in native grassland, open woodland, floodplains, and disturbed roadsides, usually on clay or loam soils that dry out seasonally.

Suggested Uses

Calotis spp. is used in native, meadow, and dry-garden plantings and in revegetation of grassland within its range. Low species suit rockeries and the front of sunny borders in warm, dry climates. The clinging burrs make it less suited to gardens near livestock, pets, or lawns.

How to Identify

Look for a low, often spreading herb with small daisy flowerheads in white, blue, mauve, or yellow on slender stems. After flowering, the seed heads harden into small round burrs armed with barbed bristles or awns. The burr-like fruiting heads separate Calotis spp. from other small native daisies, which shed plain seed.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height2" - 1'4"

Width/Spread4" - 1'4"

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~2 weeks

Spring Summer

Flowering is mainly in spring and after rain through the warmer months, roughly September to March in Australia. Individual heads last one to two weeks, and a plant flowers in flushes following rainfall. In dry seasons flowering is brief and seed sets quickly.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

White, blue, mauve, or yellow with a yellow centre

Foliage Description

Green to grey-green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 8.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

clay loam sand

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

Flowers within the first year

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plants grow in full sun on free-draining clay, loam, or sandy soils and tolerate heat and dry conditions once established. They need little water and can be raised from seed, though the barbed burrs make handling of the seed heads awkward. Perennial species can be cut back after flowering to keep them compact, while annual kinds complete their cycle in a season. Plants flower poorly in shade and rich, wet soil. Few pests trouble them in the open.

Pruning

Perennial species can be trimmed lightly after each flush to remove spent burrs and keep a tidy mound. Annual kinds need no pruning and are pulled out once seed has set. Taking off burr heads before they ripen limits unwanted spread.