Cymbonotus preissianus
austral bear’s-ears
Overview
Cymbonotus preissianus is a small, flat perennial herb in the daisy family that forms a ground-hugging rosette of leaves. The leaves are oval to lance-shaped, 1-4 inches (2.5-10 cm) long, green above and densely white-woolly beneath, with wavy or toothed margins. Yellow daisy flowerheads about 0.4-0.8 inch (1-2 cm) across sit almost stemless in the centre of the rosette, opening mainly in spring and early summer. Each flowerhead is followed by seeds that develop short bristles. The plant grows in grassland, open woodland, and grazed pasture across southern Australia, where its flat rosette tolerates mowing and grazing that taller plants cannot withstand. It is a small, quiet groundcover rather than a showy garden plant, and individual rosettes are easily lost among taller vegetation. The white-backed leaves and ground-level yellow flowers suit native lawn substitutes, grassland restoration, and gaps between paving or stepping stones.
Native Range
Cymbonotus preissianus is native to southern Australia, occurring in South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania, New South Wales, and southwestern Western Australia. It grows in native grassland, grassy woodland, and pasture on a range of soils.Suggested Uses
Grown in native lawn substitutes, grassland restoration, and gaps between pavers or stepping stones. The flat rosette and ground-level flowers suit low-traffic native lawns and rockery pockets. Its small size limits its visual impact among taller plantings.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2" - 4"
Width/Spread4" - 10"
Bloom Information
Flowering occurs mainly in spring and early summer. Yellow daisy flowerheads open at the centre of the leaf rosette, close to ground level. Bristly seeds ripen through summer as the flowers fade.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
green above, white-woolly beneathGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 5-10 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
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grow Cymbonotus preissianus in full sun to light shade on most well-drained soils with a pH between 5.5 and 7.5. Water during establishment, then occasionally, as established rosettes tolerate seasonal dryness. The plant withstands light mowing and foot traffic once settled. Heavy mulch over the crown can smother the flat rosette, so thin gravel or no mulch suits it. Self-sown seedlings appear in suitable open ground and maintain a patch over time.Pruning
No formal pruning is needed. Old or tatty outer leaves can be removed to keep the rosette tidy. Spent flowerheads can be left to self-seed or trimmed off to limit spread.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons