Cottonwood - Tauhinu

Ozothamnus is a genus of about 60 species of shrubs and small trees which are found in Australia,N.Z. and New Caledonia. The majority of species are found in Australia ,with N.Z. having two endemic species. The genus belongs in the daisy family, Asteraceae. Tauhinu can form a large shrub up to 5m.tall with a heath-like appearance. It has small leathery, narrow leaves and is often found in coastal dunes and scrubland. Flowering occurs from November to February. The flowers appear at the tips of branches as a dull white body of papery scales in tight clusters. The seeds that form are covered in fuzz and are wind dispersed.

‘Ozothamnus’ means ‘smelly shrub’. ‘Leptophyllus’ means  ‘slender leaved’.

Photography by Neil Davies © (foliage, top right; seed heads, above left) and Warren Brewer © (flowers, left and fluffy seeds, above right).