#celmisia

Plant of the Day

Sunday 27 July 2025

A New Zealand perennial Celmisia spectabilis (cotton daisy, mountain daisy, New Zealand daisy, puharetaiko) is found at high altitudes and thrives in a cool moist climate. As a garden plant a free draining soil is needed with plenty of grit.

The genus is named after the blacksmith Kelmis, one of Idaean Dactyls, skilled mythical beings associated with the Mother Goddess Rhea in Greek mythology. I don't know why that was considered relevent when naming the plants, but Kelmis means casting, and he was made as adamant as metal after annoying Zeus? The species was named either after Joseph Francis Armstrong (1820-1902) or his son John Beattie Armstrong (1850-1926), or possibly both - they did a lot of work collecting specimens for New Zealand herbaria.

One of a startling variety of Celmisia species growing along a short walk near the Arthur's Pass village. It's found in mountain and alpine habitats down the length of the South Island, but mostly on the western side of the Great Divide.

Can be grown in cultivation, but most easily in a shaded site in permanently moist, free draining, acidic soil. Dislikes humidity and will not tolerate drying out. The wind-dispersed fresh seed should be sown immediately or stratified in a fridge or freezer for 1-3 months.

Quezal art glass vase  and snow daisies