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African Daisy
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African Daisy

Dimorphotheca ecklonis

Basic Details
Description
Floral Formula
Features
Translations
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Basic Details

NameAfrican Daisy
DescriptionVibrant daisy-like flowers with composite blooms featuring ray petals surrounding a central disc. Colors range from white, pink, purple, orange to yellow, often with contrasting centers. Popular choice for borders, containers, and ground cover in sunny gardens.
FamilyAsteraceae
GenusOsteospermum
TribeCalenduleae

Floral Formula & Features

Floral FormulaEBr ⊕ ☿ K0 C(5) A(5) G̅(2)

Ebracteate (no bracts), Actinomorphic (radially symmetrical), bisexual, no true sepals (modified to pappus), 5 fused petals, 5 fused stamens, 2 fused carpels with inferior ovary

Features
  • The genus name 'Osteospermum' comes from Greek words 'osteon' (bone) and 'sperma' (seed), referring to its hard, bone-like seeds
  • Composite flower heads with ray florets (petals) surrounding disc florets at the center, characteristic of the Asteraceae family
  • Perennial flowering plant that blooms from spring through fall (March-November) in suitable climates
  • Grows to 1-3 feet (30-90 cm) in height with 1-2 feet (30-60 cm) spread. Lifespan of 2-3 years. Easily propagated from cuttings
  • Native to South Africa, particularly the Cape region. Now cultivated worldwide in temperate and subtropical zones
  • Thrives in full sun requiring 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Drought-tolerant once established, needs moderate watering
  • Flowers close at night and on cloudy days, opening fully in bright sunlight. Attracts butterflies and bees

Names in Different Languages

Latin / ScientificDimorphotheca ecklonis
English (Alternate)Osteospermum ,South African Daisy, Cape Daisy, Blue Eyed Daisy and Sunscape Daisy
Hindi गुलबहार (Gul-e-Bahār)
Tamilகனகத்தாமரை (kanakathāmarai)
Teluguఆఫ్రికన్ డైసీ (Aafrikan Daasi)
Malayalamആഫ്രിക്കൻ ചെറി (aafrikaan cherri)
Kannadaಜಯಂತಿ (jayanthi )
Sanskritअङ्गारक (aṅgāraka)
Bengaliআফ্রিকা ডেইজি (Afrīka Dēīji)
Frenchmarguerite africaine
Russianафриканская ромашка (afrikanskaya romashka)
Spanishmargalita
GermanKapkörbchen

What is Floral Formula?

A floral formula is a symbolic representation of a flower's structure using letters, numbers, and special symbols. It provides a concise way to describe the arrangement and number of floral parts.

Example Formula
% K(6) C1+2+(2) A(9) G2

This formula describes the flower's symmetry, sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels in a standardized format.

Formula Sequence

  • Bract: Br or Ebr
  • Bracteole: Brl or Ebrl
  • Symmetry: % (Radial) or ⊕ (Bilateral)
  • Sex: ♀ (Female), ♂ (Male), or ⚥ (Bisexual)
  • Calyx/Sepal: K<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Corolla/Petal: C<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Androecium: A<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Gynaecium: G<number> (Superior or Inferior Ovary)

Symbol Meanings

  • Numbers: Indicate quantity of parts
  • Parentheses (): Parts are fused together
  • Plus (+): Parts in different whorls
  • Underline: Superior ovary position
  • Overline: Inferior ovary position
  • ∞: Numerous parts (too many to count)

Understanding floral formulas helps botanists quickly identify and classify flowers based on their structural characteristics.