Cymbonotus spp.

bears-ears

HardinessZones 9–11

Overview

Cymbonotus spp. is a genus of about three species of low, rosette-forming perennial herbs in the daisy family (Asteraceae), endemic to Australia. The plants grow as flat, ground-hugging rosettes 2-8 inches (5-20 cm) across, with oblong to lyre-shaped leaves that are dark green and roughly hairy above and densely white-woolly beneath, pressed close to the soil. From the centre of the rosette arise solitary yellow flower heads 0.4-1 inch (1-2.5 cm) across, each resembling a small dandelion, borne on very short stalks so that they sit almost within the leaf cluster. The heads open in the morning and close by afternoon. After flowering they form rounded clusters of small dry seeds tipped with a tuft of bristles for wind dispersal. Cymbonotus spp. species, known as bears-ears, grow in grasslands, open woodland, and disturbed ground across much of temperate and subtropical Australia, persisting in lawns and pasture where their flat rosettes escape grazing and mowing. The deep taproot lets established plants survive seasonal drought and regrow after the foliage dies back. With its pressed-flat habit the genus adds little height and is encountered more often as a component of native grassland and as a lawn volunteer than as a planted subject.

Native Range

Cymbonotus spp. is endemic to Australia, occurring across the eastern, southern, and southwestern parts of the continent in temperate and subtropical grasslands and open woodland. The genus is found in all mainland states but does not occur naturally outside Australia.

Suggested Uses

Cymbonotus spp. is used in native grassland restoration, low-nutrient meadow plantings, and informal lawns in its native Australia, where its flat rosettes tolerate mowing and grazing. The yellow flowers add seasonal colour at ground level and support native insects. The genus suits open, sunny, low-fertility sites rather than ornamental borders.

How to Identify

Identify Cymbonotus spp. by its flat ground-hugging rosette of oblong, lyre-shaped leaves that are rough above and white-woolly beneath, lying close against the soil. Solitary yellow dandelion-like flower heads 0.4-1 inch (1-2.5 cm) across sit on very short stalks near the centre of the rosette and open only in the morning. The seeds carry a bristly tuft for wind dispersal. The pressed-flat rosette and short-stalked heads separate it from true dandelions, which hold their heads on tall hollow stalks.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height2" - 6"

Width/Spread2" - 8"

Colors

Flower Colors

yellow

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~12 weeks

Spring Summer

Cymbonotus spp. flowers mainly in spring and early summer, generally September to December in its native range, with scattered flowering after rain at other times. The individual heads open in the morning and close by midday. Flowering is followed by wind-dispersed seed through summer.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

dark 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 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

sand loam clay

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

1-2 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Cymbonotus spp. grows in full sun on a wide range of well-drained soils, from sands to clay loams, and tolerates poor, dry, and disturbed ground. The deep taproot makes established plants drought-tolerant, and they need no supplementary feeding in open soil. Excess moisture and rich, fertile beds favour competing vegetation that can crowd out the low rosettes. Plants self-seed and regenerate from the rootstock after dieback, persisting through dry summers and light frost. No significant pests or diseases affect the genus. In cultivation the rosettes suit open, sunny, low-nutrient sites rather than crowded borders.

Pruning

No pruning is required for these flat-growing rosette plants. Spent flower heads can be removed to limit self-seeding where the plants are not wanted. Old foliage dies back naturally in dry or cold periods and is replaced from the rootstock.