Gazania rigens
| Gazania rigens | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Asteraceae |
| Genus: | Gazania |
| Species: | G. rigens |
| Binomial name | |
| Gazania rigens (L.) Gaertn. | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Gazania rigens (syn. G. splendens), sometimes called treasure flower, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae, native to southern Africa. It is naturalised elsewhere and is widely cultivated as an ornamental garden plant. It is a spreading, low-growing, half-hardy perennial, growing to 50 cm (20 in) tall and wide, with blue-grey foliage and brilliant yellow, daisy-like composite flowerheads throughout the summer.
Naturalisation
In Australia, where it is known as coastal gazania, the species has become naturalised on coastal dunes and roadsides in the Central Coast and Sydney regions of New South Wales as well as the coast of South East Queensland. In South Australia it is found in the southern Mount Lofty area as well as on the Eyre peninsula.[1][2]
Varieties
The currently recognised varieties are:[3]
- G. rigens (L.) Gaertn. var. leucolaena (DC.) Roessler. In cultivation, this variety is referred to as trailing gazania.
- G. rigens (L.) Gaertn. var. rigens This variety is only found in cultivation, where it is known as clumping gazania. It is distinguished by its large 4- to 8-cm flower heads with yellow or orange rays, each with a basal eye-spot.[4]
- G. rigens (L.) Gaertn. var. uniflora (L.f.) Roessler
Cultivation
Gazania rigens is grown for the brilliant yellow of its blooms which appear against blue-grey foliage in the late spring and throughout the summer. Plants prefer a sunny position and are tolerant of dryness and poor soils.[5] In temperate regions this plant is usually grown as a half-hardy annual, though it can tolerate short periods of frost.
See also
References
- ↑ "Weeds Australia - Weed Identification - Gazania". Retrieved 2008-04-11.
- ↑ "Genus Gazania rigens". PlantNET - New South Wales Flora Online. Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust, Sydney Australia. Retrieved 2008-04-11.
- ↑ "African plants database". Retrieved 2008-04-11.
- ↑ "Aluka - Entry for Gazania rigens var. uniflora L.f. Roessler family Compositae". Retrieved 2008-04-11.
- ↑ Arthurs, Kathryn L. (ed.) (1979). Lawns & Groundcovers. Lane Publishing Co. ISBN 0-376-03507-2.