Gazania linearis
| Gazania linearis | |
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| Scientific classification Error creating thumbnail: File missing
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Asteraceae |
| Genus: | Gazania |
| Species: | G. linearis
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| Binomial name | |
| Gazania linearis | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
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Gazania linearis is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae known by the common name treasure flower, or striped treasure flower, native to South Africa.
Description
Gazania linearis is a clumping perennial herb. The leaves are slender and linear in shape, and can be either simple or pinnate. The upper leaf surface is dull green while the undersides are white woolly (tomentose). The leaves have long, winged petioles and form basal rosettes at the ground around the short branching stem.[2]
The plant produces large, solitary daisy-like flower-heads in shades of bright yellow and orange, although the colors may vary in cultivated specimens. Each head may be up to 8 centimeters (3 inches) across and has a dark reddish center of disc florets and an outer fringe of about 20 long ray florets. The ray florets may have dark spots near the bases, curl upwards along their edges, and close at night.[3] The involucre is subcupuliform or obtusely bell-shaped (campanulate) in shape. Both the involucre and scape can be glabrous or setose. The fruit is a tiny achene covered in very long hairs several times the length of the fruit body.[4][5][6][7]
Diagnostic characters
Gazania linearis is very similar in its morphology to Gazania krebsiana, Gazania ciliaris, Gazania pectinata, Gazania rigida and others. It is partially distinguished from other Gazania species by a mixture of several characteristics:[8]
- Unlike Gazania krebsiana, Gazania pectinata, Gazania rigida and many other species, the Gazania linearis involucre usually has parietal scales/bracts in at least one clear row around its involucre, in addition to the usual rows of terminal scales/bracts around the tip of its involucre.
- Unlike Gazania ciliaris, the Gazania linearis petioles are not ciliate, its involucre base is slightly intrusive, and the bases of the old dead leaves often persist around the lower stem.
Distribution and ecology
Gazania linearis is indigenous to the southern and eastern parts of South Africa, where it occurs from the Eastern Cape (Humansdorp) in the west, eastwards to KwaZulu-Natal Province.[9]
It has also taken hold as an introduced species in other parts of the world with similar climates, such as in California and New Mexico in the United States; Australia; and New Zealand, where it has been classified as a weed.[4][10][11] The species typically grows on grassy and rocky hillsides.[3] Gazania Linearis is classified as invasive in some areas, including California.[3]
References
- ^ The Plant List
- ^ Magee, A.R., Boatwright, J.S. & Mucina, L. (2011). Gazania lanata and G. splendidissima: Two new species of Asteraceae (tribe Arctotideae) from the Greater Capensis, with an updated key for the genus. South African Journal of Botany 77(1):86-93.
- ^ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Gazania linearis 'Colorado Gold'". Missouri Botanical Garden. Retrieved 11 April 2018.
- ^ 4.0 4.1 Flora of North America v 19 p 197
- ^ Druce, George Claridge. Report, Botanical Society and Exchange Club of the British Isles 4(suppl. 2): 624. 1916
- ^ SummitPost
- ^ Kumbula Indigenous Nursery
- ^ Magee, A.R., Boatwright, J.S. & Mucina, L. (2011). Gazania lanata and G. splendidissima: Two new species of Asteraceae (tribe Arctotideae) from the Greater Capensis, with an updated key for the genus. South African Journal of Botany 77(1):86-93.
- ^ Mucina, L., Howis, S. & Barker, N. (2009). Globally grown, but poorly known: Species limits and biogeography of Gazania Gaertn. (Asteraceae) inferred from chloroplast and nuclear DNA sequence data. Taxon 58:871-882. 10.1002/tax.583015. p.879
- ^ Kew Royal Botanic Gardens
- ^ T.E.R.:R.A.I.N
External links
- Jepson Manual Treatment
- USDA Plants Profile
- Photo gallery
- Error creating thumbnail: File missingMedia related to Gazania linearis at Wikimedia Commons