Cymbonotus lawsonianus

Family Asteraceae

Bear’s Ear

Perennial stemless herb with leafy rosette to 25 cm diameter, with fleshy roots to 5 cm soil depth.

Flowers: Bright yellow from March – October. Pollinated by insects.

Fruit: Mature September–October.

Seed: Achene 2 x 1.2 mm, flat face with groove bordered by oily food body which may be for ant dispersal. Seeds dispersed locally, under parent plant. Some dormancy.

Gallery images: seed, seedling, rootstock, resprout.

Ecology

• Woodland habitat with grassy ground cover.
• Occasional in woodland at the Australian Botanic Garden.
• Possibly coloniser of open areas, out-competed by tall growing grasses.
• Dies back in dry periods and regrows very quicker after rain.

Recent observations

• Actively growing in winter (June 2006)