Glischrocaryon behrii
golden pennants
Overview
Glischrocaryon behrii is an erect perennial herb in the watermilfoil family, growing 8-24 inches (20-60 cm) tall from a woody underground rootstock that resprouts after fire or grazing. The slender stems carry small, narrow, scale-like or linear leaves and are topped in spring and early summer by dense clusters of tiny yellow flowers, the source of the common name golden pennants. The flowers are followed by small, hard fruits with raised wings or ridges along their angles. The plant grows in dry sclerophyll woodland, mallee, and sandy heath across South Australia, Victoria, and inland New South Wales, on well-drained sandy and loamy soils. It dies back in dry conditions and reshoots from the rootstock when moisture returns, so above-ground growth can be seasonal and patchy. The yellow flower clusters suit dryland native gardens, sandy borders, and grassland restoration. It is a low-water plant suited to open sun that grows poorly in shade or heavy, wet soils.
Native Range
Glischrocaryon behrii is native to southern and inland Australia, occurring in South Australia, Victoria, and inland New South Wales. It grows in dry woodland, mallee, and sandy heath on well-drained soils.Suggested Uses
Grown in dryland native gardens, sandy borders, and grassland or mallee restoration. The yellow spring flower clusters suit low-water plantings with other dry-country natives. Seasonal dieback and a need for sun and sharp drainage limit its use in shaded or irrigated beds.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height8" - 2'
Width/Spread8" - 1'4"
Bloom Information
Flowering occurs in spring and early summer, when dense clusters of small yellow flowers form at the stem tips. The display can be brief in dry seasons. Winged or ridged fruits ripen as the flowers fade.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
green to grey-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
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
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grow Glischrocaryon behrii in full sun on well-drained sandy or loamy soil with a pH between 5.5 and 7.5. Water during establishment, then sparingly, as the plant tolerates extended dry periods once settled. It reshoots from a woody rootstock, so dieback in drought or after frost is normal and not a sign of loss. Heavy, wet, or shaded sites cause poor growth and rot. Little feeding is needed on the lean soils it grows in.Pruning
Cut back spent flowering stems and old growth in late summer or autumn to tidy the plant. Fresh shoots emerge from the rootstock with cooler, moister conditions. No detailed pruning is otherwise needed.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 2 gallons