Celmisia semicordata subsp. semicordata,  tikumu or cotton plant is endemic  to the South Island from sea-level to alpine, up to 1400m asl., from North-West Nelson, Nelson Lakes National, Westland (to sea level at Charleston and Nine-Mile Bluff) to about Fiordland. It becomes more common further south along and west of the Main Divide, but with other populations in the east near Hamner, Waiau Valley, Lake Sumner, Puketeraki Range, Mount Peel, and the Hunters Hills. It grows in a wide range of sites and habitats, though most abundant in subalpine and lower alpine shrub and grassland in higher rainfall areas, but occasionally in coastal and lowland areas. Seaward of the Paparoa Range at Charleston and Nine Mile Bluff it grows on steep bluffs and ledges at sea level, and in south Westland it occurs on outwash gravels at the foot of the mountains below 150m asl.  It can often rapidly invade sites disturbed by burning, heavy grazing, and erosion. A robust tufted herb with stiff sword-shaped or spear-shaped, silver to silvery-green leaves with undersides that are densely covered in soft satiny tomentum, that make up a single rosettes, or are branched, forming large clumps up to 30-60cm tall. They have variable sized flower heads that can be 6-10cm in diameter , that have white petals and a yellow centre, on stems that are densely clad with soft, white, cottony hairs from November to January. They will grow in well-drained, deep and moist soil that is enriched with plenty of humus. In regions that have hot summer it would be best grown in a semi-shaded or shaded position. In a garden situation, a well grown and mature plant can suddenly collapse and die for apparently no reason. This can be due to phytophthora or rhizoctonia.