OsteospermumSee text Osteospermum is genus belonging to the Calenduleae, one of the smaller Tribe (biology)|tribes of the sunflower family (Asteraceae). It used to belong to the genus ''Dimorphoteca'', but only the Annual plant|annual species remain in this genus. The perennial plant|perennials belong to ''Osteospermum''. The genus ''Osteospermum'' is also closely related to the small genus ''Chrysanthemoides'', such as ''C. incana'' and ''C. monilifera''.The scientific name is derived from the Greek language|Greek ''osteon'' (= bone) and Latin ''spermum'' (= seed). It has been given several common names: African Daisy, South African Daisy, Cape Daisy and Blue-eyed Daisy.There are about 50 species, native to Africa, 35 species in southern Africa, and southwestern Arabian Peninsula|Arabia. They are hardy|half-hardy perennials or subshrubs. Therefore they do not survive outdoor wintery conditions, but there is still a wide range of hardiness.Their alternate (rarely opposite) Leaf|leaves are green,! but some beautiful variegated forms exist. The leaf form is lanceolate. The leaf margin is entire, but hardy types are toothed.The daisy-like flowers consists of disc florets and ray florets, growing solitary at the end of branches or sometimes in inflorescences of terminal corymbose cymes. The disc florets are pseudo-bisexual and come in several colors such as blue, yellow and purple. The hardy types usually show a dark blue center in the disc until the yellow pollen is shed. The ray florets are female and are found diverse colors such as white, cream, pink, purple, mauve to yellow. Some cultivars have "spooned" petals such as "Pink Whirls". Many species flower a second time late summer, stimulated by the cooler night temperatures. Hardy types show profuse flowering in the spring, but they do not get a second flush of flowers. |
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| American actor Renewal 2005.10.29
Azalea / Gerbera / Forget-me-not / Lunaria / Primula veris / Nelumbo lutea / Blossom / Freesia / African violet / Columbine / Iris (plant) / Pansy / Marigold / Ylang-ylang / Coneflower / Sunflower / Gagea / Californicae / Crinum / Hippeastrum
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