Print Fact SheetOsteospermum ecklonis

Taxonomy

Osteospermum ecklonis (DC.) Norl., Studies in the Calenduleae I. 244. 1943

Common synonyms

Dimorphotheca ecklonis DC.

Common name

Blue and White Daisybush

Description

Propagule or dispersal unit is the fruit. Fertile part 5-8 mm long, 2-3.5 mm wide, in side view widest in upper part (obovoid), +/- straight, the upper (apical) end narrowing, in cross-section flattened or angular (prismatic), basal scar (carpopodium) inconspicuous and undifferentiated, central, beak (=thinner sterile stalk between seed and pappus) absent, wings absent, fruit surface dark brown, wrinkled, with no hairs (glabrous), thickened margin absent, longitudinal ribs present, 4-6, their surfaces smooth, with no hairs (glabrous).

Pappus absent.

Ecology

Low perennial, woody herb or subshrub; seeds large and heavy, without obvious dispersal syndrome. Warm-temperate to subtropical regions. Widely cultivated as an ornamental, sometimes weedy as a garden escape.

Native range

Southern Africa.

Introduced range

United States (particularly California), western half of Europe, Australia, New Zealand.