On a recent trip exploring the mountain county above Gippsland  I decided another visit to a remote mountain meadow a few Kilometres south of Cobungra. That I had visited once before with a friend would be worthwhile. Then the season had been very dry plus we were about 6 weeks earlier and the vegetation had not started to grow much after the winter frosts.

However this season things were rather better.  This was soon noticed when coming down to the open plain.

The Alpine Podelepis Podelepis robusta, although not flowering yet were well under way.

Down along the moist flat nearer the creek were large numbers of Mountain Golden Moths Diuris monticola. While across the Creek was quite yellow with a mass of flowering Billy Button Craspedia coolminica . So exploring this area came next.  Mountain Swan Greenhood   Pterostylis crassicaulis were noticed scattered through the Billy Buttons. Mauve daisies also were very plentiful some were Brachyscome species. Others seemed a bit unusual for Brachyscome and it was then noticed finished flower heads that were quite plentiful had prickles. This must mean surely it was a Burr Daisy Calotis sp. but as far as I could see not much like Rough Burr-daisy Calotis scabiosifolia that we are very familiar with.

A collection and photos were taken of the unusual Daisy for further study. 

On returning home and after a more through examinations were made. It would seem only one species fitted.

It was described in the Flora of Victoria as Calotis cuneata var. pubescens. A taxon considered extinct in Victoria.
Originally discovered by Baron Von Mueller in 1854 and not found since.

On checking the Census of Vascular Plants of Victoria – (Walsh & Stajsic  Eighth Edition). It was found the taxon has had a revision (Muelleria vol 16 ). It was now called Calotis pubescens (N.G.Walsh & K. L. McDougall). To date only found in a restricted area in the Snowy Mountains NSW. And considered endangered.

The collection plus photos was duly forwarded to the Herbarium of Victoria where upon the answer was soon received with much interest. Yes indeed the unusual daisy was Calotis pubescens. Not identified for Victoria for 155 years.
 

 James Turner