Introducing the Carlina acaulis var. Simplex Smooth Carlina, a fascinating addition to any garden or rockery. With its stemless, prostrate growth habit, this plant resembles a 6" wide daisy, but with coarse, deeply lobed leaves that make it a curiosity among native Mediterranean species. It blooms in May or June, producing a large flowerhead of silvery-white ray florets around a central disc of tubular, yellow-brown florets.
A perennial in the Asteraceae family, this flowering plant is native to alpine regions of central and southern Europe, and it prefers a scree soil or rocky mountain terrain. It is well adapted to dry pastures and chalky soils at altitudes ranging from valleys up to 2,800 meters.
The Carlina acaulis var. Simplex Smooth Carlina has two subspecies, the inflorescences of which differ in their sessile or short-stemmed structure. The spiny, pinnatilobate leaves of this plant grow in a basal rosette of about 20 cm in diameter, and they serve to protect the pollen that the flowerhead produces. In fact, folklore holds that this plant's habit of closing its head in wet weather is a sign of impending rain.
Whether you're a fan of fascinating botanical curiosities, or simply seeking a striking rock garden plant, the Carlina acaulis var. Simplex Smooth Carlina is sure to delight. Add it to your garden today!