Cotula plumosa

Cotula plumosa
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Asterids
Order:	Asterales
Family:	Asteraceae
Subfamily:	Asteroideae
Genus:	Cotula
Species:	C. plumosa
Binomial name
Cotula plumosa (Hook.f.)
Synonyms
Leptinella plumosa Hook.f.

Cotula plumosa is a small flowering plant in the daisy family, in a genus the members of which are often called buttonweeds. It is a circumantarctic species found on many subantarctic islands in the Southern Ocean. The specific epithet comes from the Latin for “feathery”, referring to the form of the leaves.

Description

A highly variable species, Cotula plumosa is a perennial herb that forms extensive mats. Its creeping stems, growing up to 5 mm in diameter, have short, lateral branches with leaves in terminal rosettes. It flowers from November to March, and fruits from February to May.

Distribution and habitat

The plant occurs in the Auckland, Antipodes, Campbell, Macquarie, Kerguelen, Prince Edward, Heard and Crozet Islands. It is widespread in coastal areas and rare inland, but has been recorded at altitudes of up to 150 m above sea level.