About Cassinia sifton Orchard
Cassinia sifton is an erect, aromatic, multi-stemmed shrub that usually grows to between 1.2 and 2.0 meters (3 feet 11 inches to 6 feet 7 inches) tall. Its branchlets bear a small number of cottony hairs. The leaves are linear, most measuring 6 to 9 millimeters (0.24 to 0.35 inches) long and 0.5 to 0.7 millimeters (0.020 to 0.028 inches) wide. The edges of the leaves are rolled under, giving the leaves a needle-like appearance. Between fifty and two hundred flower heads are arranged in roughly conical clusters. Each flower head is 3.0 to 3.5 millimeters (0.12 to 0.14 inches) long, starting greenish-white and turning red to brown as it matures. Flowering most often occurs from February to April. The achenes are 0.8 to 1.0 millimeters (0.031 to 0.039 inches) long, with a pappus of bristles that is about 2.0 to 2.5 millimeters (0.079 to 0.098 inches) long. Commonly called Sifton bush, this species is a pioneer plant that grows especially on poor soils, and often invades overgrazed pastures. It is widespread in central New South Wales, and both widespread and common in Victoria. In New South Wales, it invades disturbed areas including roadsides, cleared land, and ploughed land, and is classified as a weed. It has been introduced to the Australian Capital Territory, South Australia, and Western Australia.
