''Lawrencella'' is a

genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus com ...

of flowering plants in the family

Asteraceae The family Asteraceae, alternatively Compositae, consists of over 32,000 known species of flowering plants in over 1,900 genera within the order Asterales. Commonly referred to as the aster, daisy, composite, or sunflower family, Compositae w ...

endemic to

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...

. The genus comprises two species: '' Lawrencella davenportii'' with a distribution in arid regions of

Western Australia Western Australia (commonly abbreviated as WA) is a state of Australia occupying the western percent of the land area of Australia excluding external territories. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Southern Ocean to th ...

, The Northern Territory, and

South Australia South Australia (commonly abbreviated as SA) is a state in the southern central part of Australia. It covers some of the most arid parts of the country. With a total land area of , it is the fourth-largest of Australia's states and territories ...

and '' Lawrencella rosea'' which is restricted to Southern

. Both species are annual herbs growing to approximately 40 cm in height. The strap-shaped leaves up to 10 cm in length are covered with short hairs. Flower heads are produced on stalks well above the main leaves, and have yellow centres with pink or occasionally white

bracts In botany, a bract is a modified or specialized leaf, especially one associated with a reproductive structure such as a flower, inflorescence axis or cone scale. Bracts are usually different from foliage leaves. They may be smaller, larger, or of ...

. Flowering usually occurs in spring or summer in years with good cool season rain. Both species have horticultural potential for their colourful flower displays and their drought hardiness. However, difficulties in germination of seed have restricted their widespread cultivation to date. The genus ''Lawrencella'' is closely related to two other Australian genera, '' Schoenia'' and '' Bellida''.

References

Gnaphalieae Asteraceae genera Flora of Australia {{Gnaphalieae-stub