Scientific Name:
Arctotis
x
hybrida
Pronunciation:
ark-TOE-tiss ex HYE-brid-ah
Common Name:
African daisy
Family Name:
Asteraceae
Plant Type:
Annual (grown as)
Key ID Features:
Leaves basal, oblanceolate-spathulate, most 6-10cm long x 2-4cm wide, commonly glaucous, tomentose, margins usually incised and lobed; heads daisy-like, 6-8cm wide, cultivars with vibrantly coloured ray florets with a contrasting colour at the base forming around the dark purple to black disk florets that open yellow.
Habit:
Arching
Form:
Weeping
Texture:
Medium
Mature Height:
0.2 - 0.4m
Mature Spread:
0.1 - 0.3m
Growth Rate:
Fast
Origin:
Africa (South Africa, Namibia; A. fastuosa x A. venusta)
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 9: (-7 to -1 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun
Soil/Growing Medium:
Well-drained
Water Use:
Moderate
Landscape Uses:
Bedding plant, Container planting, Rock garden, Summer interest
Additional Info:
Google. Cultivars shown include: A. 'Pink Sugar'. (A. 'Flame' has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit). Compare to gazania.
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Simple, Lobed
Arrangement:
Basal
Texture/Venation:
Soft flexible, Pinnate venation
Surfaces:
Glaucous, Tomentose
Colour in Summer:
Green, Dark-green, Silver / Grayish
Shapes:
Oblanceolate, Spatulate
Apices:
Rounded
Bases:
Attenuate
Margins:
Incised
Inflorescence Type:
Head (capitulum)
Flower Morphology:
Flowers perfect
Corolla Shape:
Ligulate
Ovary Position:
Inferior
Colour (petals):
Showy, White, Orange, Yellow, Purple, Pink, Magenta, Red, Dark-red
Flower Scent:
None
Flower Time at Peak:
Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Fruit Type:
Cypsela (achene + calyx)
Fruit Colour:
Brown
Fruiting Time:
Sep, Oct
Additional Info:
Fruit insignificant
Bark or Stem Colour:
Grey, Green
Propagation:
Seed, Cuttings
Maintenance:
Medium
Other:
deadhead to promote more flowering
Pest Susceptibility:
Fungal leaf spot, Mildew, Root rot (Pest resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant)
