Raoulia hectori var mollis

Raoulia hectori var mollis in bloom in a New Zealand habitat
Raoulia hectori var mollis

Trailing perennial of the Asteraceae family, endemic to New Zealand, where it is considered naturally uncommon and has been on the at-risk species list since 2023.

It forms a dense and compact cushion, gradually spreading across the ground. The leaves, arranged in small, well-defined star-shaped rosettes tightly packed together, are medium green to olive green, distinctly edged with a silvery white border that gives them a very characteristic bicolored appearance. This light border immediately distinguishes this variety from most other Raoulia.

The flowers are cream, according to New Zealand flora data. Flowering data in European cultivation are not verified.

The cultivation conditions are likely those of the genus, requiring rigorous drainage, a poor mineral substrate, full light, and protection against stagnant winter moisture. Trough culture remains the most suitable method under European climates.