Actinotus hellianthi, the larger of the two Flannel flowers. The larger flowers seem to require more light and are found in exposed positions on rock platforms and on the roadside, while the smaller flowers of Actinotus minor are more common and grow twining through other shrubs and ground cover.
Notice many small black beetles active in the middle of the flowers, probably feeding and acting as pollinators.
Flannel flowers are part of the Apiaceae family and are not daisies, but like daisies the flower structure is not straightforward. In Flannel flowers the centre of the flower is composed of many small florets while the outer rays are actually bracts not petals. The name Actinotus comes from the Greek aktin-/ακτιν, meaning “ray” or “spoke of a wheel” or “sunbeam”.
This group of flowers is growing on the bush track alongside Maianbar Drive overlooking the Basin.
For the big picture click below.
