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{{SPlantbox
{{SPlantbox
|familia=Apiaceae
|familia=Apiaceae
|genus=Actinotus
|genus=Actinotus
|species=helianthi
|species=helianthi
|common_name=Flannel Flower
|habit=herbaceous
|habit=herbaceous
|habit_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
|habit_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
|usda_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
|usda_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
|max_zone=9
|max_zone=9
|image=Upload.png
|image=Flannel Flower Henry Head2 email.jpg
|image_width=240
|image_width=240
}}
}}
'''''Actinotus helianthi''''' known as the '''Flannel Flower''', is a common sight in bushland around [[Sydney]], [[Australia]].
Despite its appearance, it is not a member of the [[Asteraceae|daisy family]] but rather a species of flowering plant of the [[Mackinlayaceae]] [[Family (biology)|family]], the same family as the [[carrot]]. Its [[common name|generic name]], meaning "furnished with rays", is derived from the [[Ancient Greek|Greek]] stem ''aktin-''/ακτιν- "ray" or "spoke of a wheel" or "sunbeam",<ref> {{cite book|author=Liddell & Scott|year=1980|title=Greek-English Lexicon, Abridged Edition |publisher=Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK|isbn=0-19-910207-4}}</ref><ref name = "Blombery65">{{cite journal | author = Blombery, Alec | year = 1965 | title = The genus ''Actinotus'' | journal = Australian Plants | volume = 3 | issue = 22 | pages = 63–65 | publisher = [[ASGAP]] | issn=0005-0008}}</ref> while its specific epithet is derived from its resemblance to the genus ''[[Helianthus]]''.<ref name="EliotJones82">{{cite encyclopedia | author = Eliot, Rodger W. & Jones, David L. | year = 1982 | title = A-Ca | editor = Eliot, Rodger W. & Jones, David L. | encyclopedia = Encyclopaedia of Australian Plants suitable for cultivation | volume = 2 | pages = 1–507 | publisher = Lothian Publishing | id = ISBN 0-85091-143-5}}</ref> An iconic Sydney plant, its floral display has horticultural appeal which has seen limited use in the home garden and cut flower industry. It grows alongside the related [[Actinotus minor|Lesser Flannel Flower]].
The flannel flower is generally a [[herbaceous]] [[shrub]] growing up to 50 cm (18 in) high, although rare specimens can be found to be 1.5 m (5 [[foot|feet]]) high.<ref name = "Blombery65"/> The stem, branches and leaves of the plant are a pale grey in colour, covered in downy hair (rather like a flannel in texture). The attractively lobed leaves are up to 10 cm (4 in) long and 7 cm (3 in) wide, with [[Asteraceae|daisy]]-shaped flowerheads around 5 or occasionally 8 cm (2-3 in) in diameter. The [[bract]]s are cream to white in colour. Flowering occurs in spring and may be profuse after [[bushfire]]s.<ref name="EliotJones82">{{cite encyclopedia | author = Eliot, Rodger W. & Jones, David L. | year = 1982 | title = A-Ca | editor = Eliot, Rodger W. & Jones, David L. | encyclopedia = Encyclopaedia of Australian Plants suitable for cultivation | volume = 2 | pages = 1–507 | publisher = Lothian Publishing | id = ISBN 0-85091-143-5}}</ref>
Flannel flowers grow in [[sandstone]] [[Heath (habitat)|heathland]] in coastal [[New South Wales]] and [[Queensland]], and are commonly seen around the Sydney basin in spring.
==Cultivation==
==Cultivation==
Plants may be propagated by seed or cutting and grow in a well-drained sunny position, and are suitable for use in a [[rockery]] or [[cottage garden]].
===Propagation===
===Propagation===
==Varieties==
==Varieties==
*''Actinotus'' "Federation Star".
==Gallery==
==Gallery==
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<gallery perrow=5>
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