Description: Introduced, warm-season, perennial, herb. Stems grow horizontally (with upturned tips 5-30 cm tall) and are covered with tufts of soft hair. Leaves are crowded, spoon-shaped and 1-2 cm long, with curled-down margins. Flowerheads are tucked among the leaves and are inconspicuous until they mature; when they form a short-lived white puffball. Flowering is in spring and summer. A native of South America, it is found on light and well-drained soils in disturbed areas, wasteland, roadsides and lawns. An indicator of bare ground and reduced competition. Usually only present in short degraded pastures and/or on sandy soils. Of little importance to grazing animals, as it is a very minor component of pastures, produces very little bulk and most leaf grows very close to the ground. Date: 13 September 2009, 11:16. Source:
Facelis retusa plant4. Author:
Harry Rose from South West Rocks, Australia.