Celmisia brevifolia

A perennial of the Asteraceae family, Celmisia brevifolia is a species endemic to New Zealand, present in the South Islands. It occupies alpine and subalpine meadows, rocky slopes, and exposed ridges, on well-drained substrates, generally between 900 and 1,600 meters in altitude.

It forms dense and low tufts or mats, barely exceeding 10 to 15 cm in height outside of flowering. Its leaves are short, as indicated by the epithet brevifolia, narrowly oblong to spatulate, with a surface covered in a whitish to silvery tomentum, more or less dense depending on the individuals, which gives them a matte appearance and a soft touch.

The capitula are solitary, borne on slender peduncles, with white ligules and a yellow heart, in the tradition of the genus. In its natural habitat, its flowering extends from December to February. In cultivation in the northern hemisphere, it generally occurs in June-July.

It requires well-drained soil, acidic to neutral, in a sunny exposure. Like most Celmisia cultivated under a temperate oceanic climate, it is sensitive to excess winter moisture and benefits from protection against prolonged rains in the cold season.