Cheiranthera cyanea

	Family:	Pittosporaceae
	Distribution:	Open forest and woodland from south-east Queensland to central Victoria
	Common Name:	Finger flower
	Derivation of Name:	Cheiranthera; From Greek cheir, a hand or fist and anthos, a flower, referring to the arrangement of the stamens like the fingers of a hand. cyanea...from greek cyanos, "blue", referring to the colour of the flowers.
	Conservation Status:	Not considered to be at risk in the wild.

General Description:

Cheiranthera is a small genus which occurs only in Australia. Cheiranthera cyanea was previously known as C.linearis and is a small shrub to about 0.5 metres high with linear or lance-shaped leaves about 25-50 mm long. The leaf margins may be entire or slightly toothed. The deep blue flowers are seen in late spring and summer and are quite large (about 35 mm diameter) with prominant yellow stamens arranged to one side of the floral tube.

Cheiranthera cyanea Photo: Tony Rodd

Cheiranthera cyanea is not often seen in gardens which is a pity as its small size and colourful flowers would make it suitable for cultivation in the smallest of gardens. It is reported to be a very tough plant suited to a wide range of reasonably well drained soils. It prefers a position protected from full sun but not dense shade. Apparently it may sucker under some conditions.

Propagation may be carried out from seed which germinates without treatment. Cuttings of hardened, current season's growth are also successful.