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Xanthosia pilosa

woolly xanthosia

Apiaceae Eastern Australia

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Drought Tolerant Container Friendly

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 9–10

Overview

Xanthosia pilosa is a small, straggling evergreen subshrub in the carrot family (Apiaceae), growing 8-40 in (20-100 cm) tall with a loose, spreading habit. It is native to heathland and dry sclerophyll forest of eastern Australia. The wedge-shaped leaves are 0.4-1.2 in (1-3 cm) long, usually three-lobed and toothed, with soft hairs covering the stems and foliage. Tiny flowers, cream to greenish-yellow, are clustered in small compound umbels subtended by leafy bracts, appearing over a long season from late winter through summer. The fruit is a small dry schizocarp that splits into two single-seeded halves, typical of the family. Plants grow on sandy, low-nutrient soils and tolerate periodic dryness once established, but they are short-lived and sparse in form, giving limited density. In cultivation the species needs sharp drainage, an open sunny to lightly shaded position, and low phosphorus levels. It withstands light frost. The wiry stems and small stature suit rockeries and native cottage plantings rather than formal beds.

Native Range

Xanthosia pilosa is native to eastern Australia, ranging from south-eastern Queensland through New South Wales to Victoria and Tasmania. It grows in coastal heath, sandstone heathland, and dry open forest on sandy, nutrient-poor soils.

Suggested Uses

Used in rockeries, sandy native gardens, and container plantings where its low, wiry form fits among heath companions. Suited to coastal and low-water gardens on free-draining soil. Combines with other heathland species in informal groupings.

How to Identify

Identified by its soft-hairy stems and small, three-lobed wedge-shaped leaves 0.4-1.2 in (1-3 cm) long. The tiny cream to greenish-yellow flowers sit in compact umbels ringed by small leafy bracts. The straggling, wiry habit and hairy texture separate it from smoother-leaved relatives.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height8" - 3'4"

Width/Spread1' - 2'

Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~16 weeks

Winter Spring Summer

Flowers appear over an extended period from late winter through summer, peaking in spring. Each compound umbel holds several minute flowers framed by leaf-like bracts. The long flowering window aids small native pollinators.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

cream to greenish-yellow

Foliage Description

green, hairy

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 5-8 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 Range4.5 - 6.5(Acidic)

357912

Soil Types

sand rocky

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grow in full sun to light shade on sandy or gravelly soil with sharp drainage. Hold phosphorus low, as the species is adapted to nutrient-poor heathland and reacts badly to standard fertilisers. Water occasionally during establishment, then reduce; established plants tolerate short dry spells. Waterlogged ground causes root rot. Light frost is tolerated. A gravel mulch keeps the crown dry and suppresses competing weeds.

Pruning

Trim lightly after the main flush of flowering to encourage a denser, less straggly habit. Cut older woody stems back to the base. Hard pruning is not reliably regenerated, so cut only into leafy growth.