Name
The genus name is spelled ''Brachycome'' by some authors. Henri Cassini published the name ''Brachyscome'' in 1816, forming it from the classical Greek ''brachys'' ("short") and ''kome'' ("hair"), a reference to the very short pappus (flower structure), pappus bristles. Because the combining form of ''brachys'' in Greek compound words is ''brachy-'', Cassini later corrected the spelling to ''Brachycome''. Australian taxonomists still debate whether Cassini's corrected spelling is admissible under the rules of botanical nomenclature. A proposal to conserve ''Brachycome'' was rejected in 1993 by the Committee for Spermatophyta.Brummitt, R. K. (1993)Genetics
One of the annual plains species, ''Brachyscome dichromosomatica'', is remarkable for its low chromosome count. In this species ''n''=2, though some plants have 1, 2 or 3 additional large B chromosomes.Carter, C. R. (1978). Taxonomy of the ''Brachycome lineariloba'' complex (Asteraceae). ''Telopea'' 5, 387-93. The genus has an unusually large range of chromosome counts, from ''n''=2 to ''n''=18.Description
These are annual plant, annual and perennial plant, perennial Herbaceous plant, herbs and small shrubs. Species have a basal rosette of leaves and/or leaves alternately arranged on the stem. The blades are entire or divided. The pseudanthium, flower heads are solitary or borne in small panicle, corymbs. The head has a row of ray florets in shades of white, blue, pink, or mauve, and yellow disc florets.Fruit
The genus is distinguished from other genera in Tribe (biology), tribe Astereae mainly by the structure of the fruit. These achenes or cypselas are roughly club-shaped but usually incurved and flattened. They often have a membranous rim or wing around the edge that is sometimes wavy or fringed. The pappus is less than one millimeter long in most species.Everett, J. "''Brachycome''". In: Harden, G. J. (ed.) ''Flora of New South Wales'' volume 3, pages 155-67. University of New South Wales Press. 1992.Habitat
''Brachyscome'' species are found in a wide range of habitats. They occupy rainy coastal and mountainous regions as well as dry central Australia.Watanabe, K., et al. (1999)Cultivation
Some ''Brachyscome'' species, notably ''Brachyscome iberidifolia'' (Swan river daisy), are popular as easily cultivated ornamental plants for flower gardens, and many cultivars are bred for their form, foliage, and flowers.Species
There are between 65 and 80 species in the genus.References
Further reading
*Watanabe, K. and P. S. Short. (1992)External links