May 17 2012

Doll’s Sugarbush

Order: Asterales

Family: Asteraceae

Species: Dicoma anomala subsp. anomala (Spiky Doll’s bush, )

Macledium zeyheri subsp. zeyheri (Was Dicoma zeyheri) (Doll’s protea)

The first time I saw these flowers I immediately thought they are from the sugarbush (protea) family. However, they are not remotely related and fall within the Asteraceae family. The resemblance to proteas is used in the general names.

Dicoma anomala subsp. anomala

The leaves are lanceolate with serrated, spiky edges. It is dark green on the upper side and the lower side lighter and velvety.

Found only once in a rocky area.

According to one of my sources it is also called:

fever bush, stomach bush (English); maagbitterwortel, kalwerbossie, koorsbossie, gryshout, maagbossie (Afrikaans); hloenya, mohasetse (South Sotho); inyongana (Swazi, Xhosa); isihlabamakhondlwane, umuna (Zulu)

The plant is utilized in traditional medicine, as can be deducted also from the general names used.

Another subspecies is being researched scientifically for its medicinal properties. Mosquitos are becoming resistant to anti-malaria drugs, and one of the plants selected for investigation is Dicoma anomala subsp. gerrardii, based on its ethnomedicinal profile.

Macledium zeyheri subsp. zeyheri

This plant is very prickly as you can see from the photos. Flowering takes place in late summer to autumn. I find it mostly in rocky areas.

According to one of my sources it is also called:

skaapdissel, maagbitterwortel, maagbossie (Afrikaans); toy sugar bush, doll’s protea (English); mahlabane, somanheva (Swazi); umlunge, umqele (Xhosa); isihlabamakhondlwane, ububendle (Zulu)

This is how I often observe the species.

And this was a once off sighting, and it was long ago and I can’t remember the exact spot to look for it again.

For further reading:

Species

Medicinal value of Dicoma anomala

May 16 2012

Launaea

Order: Asterales

Family: Asteraceae

Species: Launaea nana

Launaea rarifolia var. rarifolia

This is a very low-growing plant and often overlook. Leaves are absent at the time of flowering and it is usually only a small spatter of colour that catch my eye. The plant has milky latex.

I have found both species in the same area, with the Launaea nana the dominant species.

They flower during early spring, in grassy areas fully exposed.

Launaea nana

Launaea rarifolia var. rarifolia

May 15 2012

Gerbera daisies

Order: Asterales

Family: Asteraceae

Species: Gerbera ambigua

Gerbera jamesonii (Barberton daisy)

Gerbera piloselloides

Gerbera viridifolia var. viridifolia

What I like most about the Gerberas is their colour variation. It is always important to observe the leaves very thorough.

Gerbera ambigua

The brilliant white Gerbera ambigua was very difficult to photograph, as I don’t have fancy lenses. I have found it in only two locations on the farm. The upper side of the leaves are green with a velvety white underside.

This particular plant is very strong and produces flowers throughout the year, although I have found that the flowers are in a better condition in summer. Both plants that I have encountered grow fully exposed.

Gerbera jamesonii

And then there is Gerbera jamesonii. The red variations are just as difficult to photograph. The pictures always look over exposed. I usually encounter them in semi-shade, under trees.

The upper surface of the leaves is dark green, the lower surface is waxy green. The leaves have very ragged edges, distinguishing it from similar species.

The colours vary from white to dark red with all variations in between. The most prominent colour is orange-red and I haven’t found white ones yet.

The pappus is creamy white to dirty white.

The pink variation is the only plant that I have found so far, and is quite different from the above-mentioned colour variations.

Hybridization between G. jamesonii and G. viridifolia has led to the cut-flower industry of Gerberas.

Gerbera piloselloides

The Gerbera piloselloides is a very inconspicuous species, and it is only when you photograph it that its magnificence shows. It almost seems as if the flower never opens completely. The outer petals are often tinged with pink.

Gerbera viridifolia var. viridifolia

The Gerbera viridifolia var. viridifolia also show great variation in colour. From white to pink to maroon. I always see them fully exposed, espesially in rocky areas.