Australian Cultivar Registration Authority

Description: Actinodium cunninghamii 'Snowflake', Taken: 13 December 2018, [HERBARIUM SPECIMEN] ACRA NO: Acc 475 Copyright : Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research (CANBR) holds copyright
Photographer: Palmer, R.

Actinodium cunninghamii 'Snowflake'

File Number

475

ACRA Field Book Number

482

Registration Date

10/10/1991

Application Received

01/11/1980

Family

Myrtaceae

Cultivar Name

Actinodium cunninghamii 'Snowflake'

Origin

Actinodium 'Snowflake' is a wild selection from Actinodium cunninghamii from Cape Riche, Western Australia. The plant was collected by Dr Kingsley Dixon, Research Botanist, Kings Park and Botanic Garden, in September 1989. The name refers to the colour of the inflorescence. Application received by the Authority in November 1990. The applicants are K W Dixon, G Brand and R Fryer of Kings Park and Botanic Garden, West Perth WA 6005.

Characteristics

An upright open shrub 40-50cm tall by 15cm wide. Leaves alternate, narrow linear to elliptic, 4-6mm long, 1mm wide, medium green on slender branches. The large terminal creamy white flowers are 5-6cm in diameter. The flower head is similar in appearance to an everlasting or daisy, consisting of small fertile inner disc florets and large outer sterile ray florets 1.5-2cm long. The main flowering period is September to November. Diagnosis: Many forms of Actinodium cunninghamii can be found in its natural habitat. There is wide variation in plant shape, varying from upright and open to low and bushy, 10- 100cm in height. Flower colour present in red, pink or white or mixtures of these colours. Flower size greatly varies from 8mm to 60mm in diameter and some forms also lack ray florets. The cultivar is distinguished by large and well-formed creamy-white flowering heads.

Cultivation

Due to its short period in cultivation it has not been tested for frost tolerance or fully tested for drought, but is expected to require regular summer watering in most soils. It grows well as a container plant preferring filtered sunlight in hot climates. In cooler climates it should tolerate full sun. Makes an ideal cut flower and should respond well by becoming bushier, after light tip pruning post flowering. The flowering period could also be extended in cultivation. Grow from cuttings to reproduce the exact form.

Publication

Australian Cultivar Registration Authority (1993), Australian Plant Cultivars. Australian Plants 17(134): 5

Colour Coding

RHS Colour Chart 1966 White Group 155A

Propagation

Cuttings

Applicant Name

K W Dixon, G Brand and R Fryer of Kings Park and Botanic Garden

Uses

Spectacular and unusual feature plant. Suitable for mass planting or for display in large pots.

Availability

Unknown

ANBG Accession Numbers

Accession Number 475.

NSL ID

-