pine-leafed daisybush

Shawia pinifolia is a rigid, bushy shrub that typically grows to a height of 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) and has stout, woolly-hairy branches. The leaves are arranged alternately along the branches, crowded, narrowly linear and 25–38 mm (0.98–1.50 in) long. The leaves are rigid and sharply-pointed with the edges rolled under, giving the plant a pine-like appearance. They are glabrous on the upper surface and silky-hairy on the obsured lower surface. The heads or daisy-like "flowers" are mostly arranged singly on the end of a long peduncle and have a top-shaped involucre. Each "flower" has 8 to 10 white ray florets surrounding a larger number of yellow disc florets. The achenes are long, narrow and smooth, the pappus with bristles in several rows.

Shawia pinifolia is common in alpine or subalpine regions of Tasmania, including on Mount Wellington, Mount Dundas, Mount Sorell and Mount Field.

This species is known to be resistant to Phytophthora cinnamomi which can cause root rot. It may be susceptible to mealybug which feed on the juices of the plant, and may carry other diseases.

Seeds can be collected from seeding Shawia pinifolia in the late summer to early autumn (January-March), when the plant releases the fluffy, white achenes. These can be collected and dried, and if sowed within a short time in a surface layer of loamy, low-phosphorus soil, can yield young S. pinifolia seedlings. Best sowing months in Tasmania are March-April and October-November, when conditions are mild and frosts rare. Germination occurs in two to five weeks after planting. Plants may also be propagated from cuttings taken from healthy, young specimens.

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