cut-leaved daisy

Brachyscome multifida is an ascending, smooth annual to 45 cm (18 in) high. The leaves are fine and deeply divided, 7 cm (2.8 in) long and 7-10 lobes 35 mm (1.4 in) long. . The flowerheads mauve, pink or white about 4 mm (0.16 in) in diameter, peduncle 4–14 cm (1.6–5.5 in) long, and to 40 cm long peduncles. The ray florets are mauve, pink or white and are 7 to 10 mm long. The main flowerering season is early autumn to mid winter, but the daisy-like flowerheads may appear throughout the year. Flowering occurs from March to June and the fruit is a wedge-shaped achene, brown to black, swollen, 1.9–2.4 mm (0.075–0.094 in) long, smooth and warty.

Brachyscome multifida occurs on dry, shallow or rocky soils in sclerophyll forest or grassland in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.

The species and its cultivars are popular in horticulture, and are used for mass plantings, in hanging baskets, in borders and spilling over retaining walls. They can be grown in a wide range of soils and tolerates dry conditions, but will benefit from supplementary watering. Plants are best situated in a position with full sun, although partial shade is tolerated. Although relatively frost tolerant, foliage may burn. The plant is readily propagated by cuttings which strike readily. Plants may also be propagated by layering or from seed, though germination rate is usually poor.

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