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(Raoulia australis)
Sheep Plant (Raoulia australis)
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Ernest McGray, Jr.
CC BY-SA 2.0
Image By:
Ernest McGray, Jr.
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY-SA 2.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Ernest McGray, Jr. | License Type: CC BY-SA 2.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/ | Uploader: mcgrayjr | Publisher: Flickr |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Raoulia australis, commonly known as Sheep Plant, is an evergreen perennial herb native to alpine and subalpine zones as well as grasslands in New Zealand. It forms a dense, mat-like ground cover, reaching a height of 0.1-0.3 feet (0.03-0.09 meters) and spreading up to 3-4 feet (0.9-1.2 meters) wide. The plant is characterized by its silver-gray foliage that resembles a sheep’s wool, hence the common name. During the summer, it produces small, inconspicuous yellow flowers that are less showy than its foliage.
Sheep Plant is valued for its unique texture and ability to form a tight ground cover, which can suppress weeds and reduce soil erosion on slopes. It is ideal for rock gardens, alpine gardens, and as a general ground cover in areas with good drainage. In cultivation, it requires full sun and thrives in well-drained soils with low water needs once established. It is relatively low maintenance but may suffer from root rot in poorly drained soils. Sheep Plant is not known for serious pest or disease problems, but it can be sensitive to overwatering.CC BY-SA 4.0
Sheep Plant is valued for its unique texture and ability to form a tight ground cover, which can suppress weeds and reduce soil erosion on slopes. It is ideal for rock gardens, alpine gardens, and as a general ground cover in areas with good drainage. In cultivation, it requires full sun and thrives in well-drained soils with low water needs once established. It is relatively low maintenance but may suffer from root rot in poorly drained soils. Sheep Plant is not known for serious pest or disease problems, but it can be sensitive to overwatering.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Herb, Subshrub
- Height: 0.1-0.3 feet
- Width: 3-4 feet
- Growth Rate: Slow
- Flower Color: Yellow
- Flowering Season: Summer
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun
- Water: Low
- Drainage: Medium, Fast
Common Uses
Erosion Control, Groundcover, Low Maintenance, Potted Plant, Rock Garden
Natural Habitat
native to alpine and subalpine zones as well as grasslands in New Zealand
Other Names
Common Names: Vegetable Sheep, Common Mat Daisy, Golden Scabweed, Scabweed, Schafsteppich
Scientific Names: , Raoulia australis, Raoulia lutescens, Raoulia australis var. lutescens, Raoulia australis var. australis,
GBIF Accepted Name: Raoulia australis Hook.fil. ex Raoul