by Juliet Bodycomb
This article is the fifth in our series, Know Your Park Lands Plants, where we introduce you to some of the myriad species that populate your Adelaide Park Lands.
Purple fuzzweed, known by the scientific name of Vittadinia cuneata, is an annual or perennial herbaceous plant, native to Australia.
Also known as the ‘woody New Holland daisy’, it is widespread throughout the country, and can be spotted in the grassy areas of Golden Wattle Park / Mirnu Wirra (Park 21 West) and Victoria Park / Pakapakanthi (Park 16), among others.
Purple fuzzweed is a member of the daisy family (Asteraceae) and can be recognised by its small flowers, which have mauve, pale blue, or white petals, and a yellow centre.
The herb is known for its distinctly fluffy seed heads, which, like a dandelion’s, are carried and dispersed by wind.
Vittadinia cuneata flowers. Photo: Harry Rose.
Growing 10-40cm high, purple fuzzweed has woody, branched stems that are rigid and erect.
If you look closely, the stems are covered in small hairs. These hairs are called glandular trichomes – specialised hairs that secrete essential oils to protect the plant against herbivores and pathogens.
Vittadinia cuneata seed heads. Photo: Helenschofield on iNaturalist.
Your Park Lands are home to multiple species of the Vittadinia genus; namely, Vittadinia cuneata and Vittadinia gracilis.
How can you tell the difference between the two?
Vittadinia gracilis is commonly called the ‘woolly New Holland daisy’, and like the name, is covered in thick, woolly hairs, which give it a grey hue. Purple fuzzweed, however, is covered in short, rigid hairs, making it appear greener in colour.
Vittadinia gracilis. Photo: DavidFrancis34 on Flickr.
Vittadinia cuneata. Photo: Philip-roetman.
Want to know more about the plants in your Park Lands? Head over to iNaturalist, where you can record, share, and discuss your findings with fellow naturalists.
There is an iNaturalist page, which can show you exactly where citizen scientists (like you!) have observed purple fuzzweed (Vittadinia cuneata).
See the other plants featured in our own series here.
Banner photo of Vittadinia cuneata by Chris Clarke.
