Ferny Cotula

Ferny Cotula photos

Family: Daisy (Asteraceae syn. Compositae)

Scientific Name:

Cotula bipinnata

Photograph courtesy of Viridans Biological Databases (external link)

Status:

Native of South Africa. Naturalised in Victoria, Western Australia, South Australia and New South Wales.

Plant Description:

Small spreading hairless annual forb to 20 cm high. Leaves alternate, 1 – 2 cm long, partly stem clasping, divided into many linear segments which are pointed and mostly toothed. Flower-heads are cream with a dark yellow centre without petals, hemispherical, 6 – 8 mm diameter borne singly on short stalks. Seeds very small, somewhat compressed, without hairs or bristles at the top. Flowers in spring.

Habitat:

Usually on level clay-soil areas where water lies, such as along roadsides and in poorly drained irrigation pastures.

Region	Salinity Class	Waterlogging Class
Mallee, Loddon Murray, Central and Northern, Wimmera, Western	S2, S3, S4	W2, W3

Comments:

Ferny Cotula is similar to Water Buttons but the latter has simply divided or lobed leaves and completely yellow flowers.

Ferny Cotula photos

Ferny Cotula plant Photo: A J Brown	Ferny Cotula leaf Photo: A J Brown
Fern Cotula developing flower-head Photo: A J Brown	Ferny Cotula flower-head Photo: A J Brown
Ferny Cotula plant Photo: A J Brown

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