Common Woollybush

Adenanthos cygnorum

"Adenanthos cygnorum" is a tall shrub in the family Proteaceae. It is endemic to Western Australia, commonly occurring in the south west of the State from north of Geraldton south to Kojonup. It is very common on road verges and in disturbed areas of Perth.
Common Woolly Bush  Adenanthos cygnorum,Australia,Geotagged,Spring,adenanthos cygnorum

Appearance

Common woollybush grows as a tall shrub up to three metres high. It has soft grey-green or grey-blue foliage, consisting of closely packed, small, hairy leaves on pliable, hairy stems. It is woolly both in appearance and feel, hence the common name. The leaves have nectaries at the tips; these attract ants, which play a role in the distribution of seed. The nectar filled cups are taken by the ants to their nests to be consumed, the seeds becoming inaccessible to birds, etc. Like most other "Adenanthos" species, but unusually for Proteaceae, the flowers of common woollybush are not large and showy, but are rather small, dull, and hidden within the foliage.

The stems of the plant are bored into by moths, leaving their eggs there; the larvae are in turn used by female wasps for their own eggs.

Habitat

The brown honeyeater has been observed feeding at the flowers of "A. cygnorum".

It is highly susceptible to "Phytophthora cinnamomi" dieback.

References:

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Taxonomy
KingdomPlantae
DivisionAngiosperms
ClassEudicots
OrderProteales
FamilyProteaceae
GenusAdenanthos
SpeciesA. cygnorum
Photographed in
Australia