I live with my Wife and Daughter in Launceston, on the Island state of Australia, Tasmania.

I spend a lot of my spare time with my Olympus C-770 Digital Camera in hand, photographing the Wonderful World of Nature.

My Favourite type of Photography is “Macro” Photography. This is involves photographing the very small. Usually my subjects are smaller than 3" (7.5cm). As a result one of my favourite subjects, are found in the Macro-Fungi & Insect World.

Tuesday, November 22, 2005

European Honey Bee Feeding on Golden Everlasting Daisy


Nov 05 - 0169a.jpg
Photographed by Sparra Mc ©

Golden everlasting,

Xerochrysum bracteatum

Asteraceae. Predominantly an annual herb.

Height: 30-50cm

Width: 10-40cm

Leaves: light green, sheathing, broadly elliptical, 3-15cm, with a prominent central vein.The young growth is sticky on the main fleshy stem.

Flowers: Cream/orange, terminal paper daisy, 2-5cm across.

Flowering: Spring and sporadic.

Fruit: An achene.

Habitat/Distribution: An understorey plant in dry anphyll forest. Also WA, SA,Vic, NSW, Q.

Cultivation: Hardy, requiring summer moisture. Removing spent flower heads promotes further flowering. Will self-seed freely, often producing interesting forms. Propagation easy from seed or cuttings. Many commercial forms are now available.

Distinguishing features: Stiff papery bracts.

posted by Sparra Mc @ Tuesday, November 22, 2005