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{{Short description|Species of plant}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2022}}
{{Italic title}}
{{Speciesbox
| name = Tree everlasting
| image = Ozothamnus_ferrugineus.jpg
| image_caption = ''Ozothamnus ferrugineus'', [[Mornington Peninsula]], Victoria
| genus = Ozothamnus
| species = ferrugineus
| authority = ([[Labill.]]) [[Robert Sweet (botanist)|Sweet]]
| synonyms = ''Chrysocoma ferruginea'' (Labill.) Spreng. 
''Eupatorium'' ferrugineum'' Labill. 
''Helichrysum dendroideum'' N.A.Wakef. 
''Helichrysum ferrugineum'' R.Lesson ex Steud. nom. illeg. 
''Petalolepis ferruginea'' (Labill.) Cass
}}

'''''Ozothamnus ferrugineus''''', commonly known as '''tree everlasting''', is a member of the genus ''[[Ozothamnus]]'', of the [[Asteraceae]] family – one of the largest families of [[flowering plant]]s in Australia. Native to the Australian states of [[New South Wales]], Victoria, [[South Australia]], and [[Tasmania]], it forms an erect [[shrub]] or small tree between 2 and 3 metres in height.

== Description ==
Source:<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/63691373 |title=Tasmania's natural flora |date=2004 |publisher=Tasmania's Natural Flora Editorial Committee |others=Jenny Whiting, Tasmania's Natural Flora Editorial Committee |isbn=0-646-43916-2 |location=Ulverstone, Tas. |oclc=63691373}}</ref>

''Ozothamnus ferrugineus'' forms a medium to large erect, much-branched woody shrub that is aromatic, with an open habit. It generally grows to 2-3 metres in height, reaching 1.5-3 metres width. Fine hairs are concentrated in lines running along the stem and crowded leaves extend alternately from cottony branchlets.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Species information: Ozothamnus ferrugineus (Helichrysum dendroideum) |url=https://www.utas.edu.au/docs/plant_science/field_botany/species/dicots/astersp/ozotferr.html |access-date=21 March 2022 |website=utas.edu.au}}</ref> Younger leaves are light green in colour and sticky to the touch, maturing to darker green leaves with a [[Glabrous (botany)|glabrous]], resiny [[Adaxial (botany)|adaxial]] surface, and a lighter grey, densely hairy [[Glossary of botanical terms|abaxial]] surface with a glabrescent midrib.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=PlantNET – FloraOnline |url=https://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=sp&name=Ozothamnus~ferrugineus |access-date=21 March 2022 |website=plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Flora of Victoria |url=https://vicflora.rbg.vic.gov.au/flora/taxon/39cdfd34-fac0-44a7-b36c-40424bcbed73 |access-date=21 March 2022 |website=vicflora.rbg.vic.gov.au}}</ref> They are flat, fine and spreading, 2-7cm long and linear to [[Glossary of leaf morphology|lanceolate]] in shape, with pointed tips and slightly wavy margins.<ref name=":0" />

Flowering occurs in the summer months. ''O. ferrugineus'' inflorescence amusingly resembles [[cauliflower]] heads, composed of 80–300 densely-packed small white daisies.<ref name=":2" /> These [[Glossary of botanical terms|florets]] are in 5–6 compact hemispherical [[corymb]]ose terminal clusters. Each flowerhead is cylindrical to bell-shaped, 3-5mm long with a 1-4mm diameter, and remain on the bush for long periods.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" /> Appressed to the base of the flowerheads are 14–18 small [[bract]]s. The lower half of the inner bracts are translucent, whilst the upper half is an opaque white. The outer bracts are golden brown to green in colour.<ref name=":2" />

Flowering produces a [[Cypsela (botany)|cypsela]], oft characteristic of the [[Asteraceae]] family. Theirs is a dry, single seeded fruit, narrow to ovoid in shape, 1mm long.<ref name=":3" /> The calyx is modified into a [[Pappus (botany)|pappus]] composed of 2-3mm long bristles, aiding seed dispersal via wind.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Jordan |first=Greg |title=Daisy pappus |url=https://www.utas.edu.au/dicotkey/dicotkey/FAMILY_KEY/Inf_pappus.htm |access-date=21 March 2022 |website=Key to Tasmanian Dicots}}</ref><ref name=":2" />[[File:Ozothamnus ferrugineus inflorescence.gif|thumb|left|238x238px|''Ozothamnus ferrugineus'' terminal inflorescence, showing distinguishing hairs running parallel down stems. Photo: Rob Wiltshire, [[University of Tasmania|UTAS]].]]

=== Distinguishing features ===
Generally, bract characters are key to distinguishing ''[[Cassinia]]'' from ''Ozothamnus'', whereby the involucral bracts of ''Ozothamnus'' are straight or radiating and lacking paleae between florets, whilst ''Cassinia'' possess paleae and their involucral bracts are connivent.<ref name=":5">{{Cite journal |last=Schmidt-Lebuhn |first=Alexander N. |last2=Constable |first2=Lee |date=29 November 2012 |title=Phylogenetic relationships of the Australasian shrubby everlastingsOzothamnusandCassinia(Asteraceae: Asteroideae: Gnaphalieae) |url=https://doi.org/10.1111/cla.12007 |journal=Cladistics |volume=29 |issue=6 |pages=574–588 |doi=10.1111/cla.12007 |issn=0748-3007|url-access=subscription }}</ref> ''O. ferrugineus'' is often mistaken for ''[[Cassinia aculeata]]'', however, where ''C. aculeata''<nowiki/>'s leaves are revolute or recurved, ''O. ferrugineus''<nowiki/>' leaves are flat or only slightly recurved. Furthermore, the hairs on ''O. ferrugineus''<nowiki/>' stem are arranged in neat parallel lines, whilst the stems of ''C. aculeata'' are more uniformly hairy.<ref name=":1" /> ''O. ferrugineus'' can also be confused with [[Ozothamnus thyrsoideus|''Ozothamnus'' ''thyrsoideus'']] which occurs in similar habitats but whose flowers are spread along branches rather than in terminal bunches.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Jordan |first=Greg |title=Ozothamnus ferrugineus |url=https://www.utas.edu.au/dicotkey/dicotkey/AST/gnaph/sOzo_ferrugineus.htm |access-date=21 March 2022 |website=Key to Tasmanian Dicots}}</ref>

== Habitat and distribution ==
[[File:O. ferrugineus distribution.png|thumb|Map showing recorded ''Ozothamnus ferrugineus'' observations in Australia. Map created with Atlas of Living Australia data.]]
''Ozothamnus ferrugineus'' is a common and widespread middle understory species in open forests and scrubland throughout south-eastern Australia. It can be found from coastal swampland and scrub through to elevated ranges and tablelands throughout [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]], [[South Australia]], [[New South Wales]], and [[Tasmania]], often persisting along roadsides.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":6" /><ref name=":0" /> It prefers well drained, moist areas and is often one of the first species to regenerate after fire or other disturbances.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":7">{{Cite journal |last=Bargmann |first=Tessa |last2=Kirkpatrick |first2=Jamie B. |date=1 February 2015 |title=Transition from heathland to scrub in south-eastern Tasmania: extent of change since the 1970s, floristic depletion and management implications |url=https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-014-0803-6 |journal=Biodiversity and Conservation |language=en |volume=24 |issue=2 |pages=213–228 |doi=10.1007/s10531-014-0803-6 |issn=1572-9710|doi-access=free |hdl=1956/9491 |hdl-access=free }}</ref>

== Classification ==
=== Taxonomy ===
The first recorded description of ''O. ferrugineus'' was by French botanist [[Jacques Labillardière]] in 1806 in ''[[Novae Hollandiae Plantarum Specimen]]''',''''' a two-volume work describing Australia's natural flora.<ref name=":8">{{Cite book |last=Labillardière |first=Jacques |title=Novæ Hollandiæ plantarum specimen |publisher=Ex typographia Dominæ Huzard |year=1804–1806 |location=Paris |pages=38 |language=Latin}}</ref> ''O. ferrugineus'' was then described as '<nowiki/>''Eupatorium ferrugineum.''<nowiki/>' He details the abaxial leaf surface as being reddish-brown, hence 'ferrugineum,' which is Latin for rust-like or reddish-brown:

<blockquote>''"...foliis lineari-lanceolatis, aveniis, adultis subtùs ferrugineis."''<ref name=":8" /></blockquote>

In English, this is ''"linear-lanceolate leaves, beneath reddish brown."''

This rust-related name persists to this day, however, is misleading, as the underside of ''O. ferrugineus''<nowiki/>' leaves are distinctly light-grey to white in colour. ''[[Ozothamnus]]'' is the largest genus in the Gnaphalieae 'everlasting' tribe, comprising 50 species. It was first recognised in the early 19th century, however, was circumscribed as ''[[Helichrysum]]'' for 124 years before being reinstated as ''Ozothamnus'' in 1991.<ref name=":5" />

== Cultivation ==
Reproduction from seed is ''O. ferrugineus''<nowiki/>' main form of regeneration. Seeds should be directly sown in early winter, as slow-growing seedlings can be vulnerable to spring drought.<ref name=":9">{{Cite web |title=VicVeg Plant Details |url=http://www.vicveg.net.au/vvPlantResults2.aspx?CMAID=0&SpeciesNo=1616&ActiveTab=0 |access-date=21 March 2022 |website=vicveg.net.au}}</ref> Plant is long lived, as are its flowers. Prefers full-sun to semi-shade.

== Ecology ==
''Ozothamnus ferrugineus'' can resprout if above ground parts are killed or experiencing severe disturbance, including fire.<ref name=":9" /> Despite its highly flammable foliage, it will persist through average-severity bushfires. It is often one of the first species to appear after a disturbance event.<ref name=":7" /> Its seeds are wind dispersed, using its pappus to travel.<ref name=":4" />

==References==
<references responsive="0" />
*{{APNI | name = ''Ozothamnus ferrugineus''| id = 56601}}

{{Taxonbar|from=Q7116667}}

[[Category:Ozothamnus|ferrugineus]]
[[Category:Asterales of Australia]]
[[Category:Flora of New South Wales]]
[[Category:Flora of Tasmania]]
[[Category:Flora of Victoria (state)]]
[[Category:Plants described in 1806]]

Ozothamnus ferrugineus - Revision history

imported>OAbot: Open access bot: url-access updated in citation with #oabot.