Raoulia australis (28/08/2014, Rue de la Pointe Park, Brest, France)
Position: Full sun to partial shade
Flowering period: Early summer
Soil: Moist, very well drained
Eventual Height: 1cm
Eventual Spread: 30cm
Hardiness: 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Family: Asteraceae
Raoulia australis is an evergreen herbaceous perennial with a mat forming habit. Its grey/ green fleshy leaves are elliptic with entire margins and up to 3mm long. Its yellow flowers are small and appear en mass.
Raoulia australis, commonly known as Sheep Carpet, Mat Daisy or Raoulia, is native to New Zealand. In its native habitat it grows in open rock places including scree slopes.
The etymological root of the binomial name Raoulia is named after Edouard F.A. Raoul (1815–1852), French surgeon and writer on New Zealand plants. Australis is derived from the Latin meaning’ from the Australian continent’.
The landscape architect may find Raoulia australis useful as an interesting low growing groundcover plant for rock or alpine gardens. Once established this plant is drought tollerant.
Raoulia australis Detail (28/08/2014, Rue de la Pointe Park, Brest, France)
Ecologically, Raoulia australis flowers are attractive to some polinating insects.
Raoulia australis prefers moist, very well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It will not tolerate wet soils.
Raoulia australis requires little maintenance.
