Scientific name

Euryops chrysanthemoides (candole) B. Nord.

Synonyms

Gamolepis chrysanthemoidesDC.

Common names

African bush daisy, golden daisy bush, daisy bush, resin bush (English)

Family

Asteraceae (Compositae)

Origin

Euryops chrysanthemoides is native to the Cape Province of South Africa.

Naturalised distribution (global)

Locations within which Euryops chrysanthemoides is naturalised include southern and eastern Africa.

Introduced, naturalised or invasive in East Africa

Euryops chrysanthemoides is invasive in parts of Kenya (A.B.R. Witt pers. obs.) and Tanzania (Henderson 2002) and is not recorded from Uganda. It has been planted in areas of Nairobi and Nandi District of Kenya. It is also cultivated in Pare District in Tanzania and throughout Kenya as an ornamental.

Habitat

Euryops chrysanthemoides is frequently found on roadsides, urban open spaces and other disturbed areas.

Description

Euryops chrysanthemoides is compact densely branched, leafy evergreen shrub growing to a height of 0.5 to 2 metres.

The leaves are shaped like those of an oak leaf, with deeply indented lobes and they are close-set, particularly on young growth. The flowers are yellow daisies, 30-40 mm across with 15-30 bright yellow ray florets and deep golden yellow disc florets which are carried well above the leaves on thin, wiry stalks 100-150 mm long.

The fruit is dry, one seeded achene and black in colour. The small, ridged, black seeds that are shaped like a spindle with blunt ends.

Reproduction and dispersal

The bright yellow flowers attract many pollen-and nectar- feeding insects as well as butterflies. The plant produces numerous seeds which are wind-dispersed.

Economic and other uses

Plants of this genus are rich in resin, which sometimes appears as blobs on the stems and twigs. The resin is alleged to have medicinal properties. It was used as a substitute gum and to preserve leather, like boots and saddles in South Africa. It is also planted as a hedge and for ornamental purposes in East Africa.

The attractive dense foliage and bright flowers and its free-flowering nature make Euryops chrysanthemoides  a popular pot plant in Europe, Japan, and America as well as in its native land where it is sold in garden centres and supermarkets; flowers do not close overnight or indoors and last well in small arrangements.

Environmental and other impacts

Euryops chrysanthemoides is a weed of roadsides, disturbed areas and urban open spaces.

Management

The precise management measures adopted for any plant invasion will depend upon factors such as the terrain, the cost and availability of labour, the severity of the infestation and the presence of other invasive species.

The best form of invasive species management is prevention. If prevention is no longer possible, it is best to treat the weed infestations when they are small to prevent them from establishing (early detection and rapid response). Controlling the weed before it seeds will reduce future problems. Control is generally best applied to the least infested areas before dense infestations are tackled. Consistent follow-up work is required for sustainable management.

The editors could find no specific information on the management of this species.

Legislation

Not listed as a noxious weed by the state or governments in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

References

Henderson, L 2002. Problem plants in Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Final Report to the NCAA.

Editors

Agnes Lusweti, National Museums of Kenya; Emily Wabuyele, National Museums of Kenya, Paul Ssegawa, Makerere University; John Mauremootoo, BioNET-INTERNATIONAL Secretariat - UK.

Acknowledgments

This fact sheet is adapted from The Environmental Weeds of Australia by Sheldon Navie and Steve Adkins, Centre for Biological Information Technology, University of Queensland. We recognise the support from the National Museums of Kenya, Tropical Pesticides Research Institute (TPRI) - Tanzania and Makerere University, Uganda. This activity was undertaken as part of the BioNET-EAFRINET UVIMA Project (Taxonomy for Development in East Africa).

Contact

BioNET-EAFRINET Regional Coordinator: [email protected]