Dimorphotheca ecklonis
Template:Short description Template:Speciesbox
Dimorphotheca ecklonis, also known as Cape Marguerite, African daisy, Van Staden's River daisy, Sundays River daisy, white daisy bush, blue-and-white daisy bush, star of the veldt, Kaapse magriet, jakkalsbos, Vanstadensrivier madeliefie, or Sondagsrivier madeliefie is a perennial[1] ornamental plant[2] that is native to South Africa. It features white ray florets and a dark blue centre and is part of the Asteraceae family. The species is named after Christian Friedrich Ecklon, a Danish botanical collector who explored the flora of the Cape in the early 1800s.[2] It is regarded as an invasive plant in parts of Australia, particularly Victoria and Western Australia.[3]
Features
Dimorphotheca ecklonis is an evergreen, perennial dwarf shrub that can grow up to Script error: No such module "convert". tall.[2][4] The flowerheads measure up to Script error: No such module "convert". in diameter.[2] The leaves measure Script error: No such module "convert". and are glandular fluffy, sessile, elliptical, slightly succulent, narrow obovate, and entire or serrated. The heads are on Script error: No such module "convert". long stems and have a diameter of Script error: No such module "convert".. The bracts are Script error: No such module "convert". long and glandular. The rays are white above and reddish blue below. The disc is dark blue or purple. The fruit surface is net-wrinkled.[5]
The plant contains hydrocyanic acid, making it poisonous to livestock, such as cattle, and pets, such as rabbits and rodents.[2][4]
The plant is a useful model organism for experiments because of traits such as the ability to grow quickly and all year round. It can also be used as a UV indicator because it is phototropic and sensitive to radiation.[6][7]
Distribution
When found naturally the plants can be seen growing at the base of cliffs or on steep hills.[2] It is native to a small area in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, around Uitenhage and Humansdorp and is found on wet grass and in river beds at altitudes up to Script error: No such module "convert".. It prefers subtropic biomes but has been introduced into the Azores, California, Mauritius, New South Wales, Queensland, Réunion, Spain, Tunisia, Victoria, and Western Australia.[8] It has become popular in Europe in places such as Sicily, Italy.[9]
Cultivation and Propagation
Dimorphotheca ecklonis can be grown as a perennial but based on the temperature swings of the local climate it can be grown as an annual plant.[10][11] The peak flowering period is in spring, although some flowers will last through summer.[2] The plants grow fast and thrive best in full sun, in poor to moderately fertile, well-drained, sandy soil.[2][4]
It is widely used as an ornamental plant in pots and beddings.[12] In places, such as Australia, where it has become invasive the white coloured flowers grow as groundcover plants.[13]
New plants can be cultivated from seeds or cuttings.[2][4] The plants should be propagated by seed in spring at cooler temperatures (18°C).[14][4] It is recommended that the seeds, which germinate easily, are planted Script error: No such module "convert". from one another.[10] For propagation via cuttings, softwood cuttings should be taken in late spring and semi-ripe cuttings should be taken in late summer.[4]
References
<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" />
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b c d e f g h i Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Eckehart J. Jäger, Friedrich Ebel, Peter Hanelt, Gerd K. Müller (ed.): Rothmaler. Excursion flora of Germany. Volume 5: Herbaceous ornamental and useful plants. Spektrum Akademischer Verlag, Berlin Heidelberg 2008, Template:ISBN.
- ↑ a b c d e f Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Munz, PA 1968. Suppl. Calif. Fl. 1–224. University of California Press, Berkeley.
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Bibliography
- Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".