What is Dimorphotheca?

Dimorphotheca is a small genus of flowering plants in the family asteraaceae . They come from South Africa, but are widely grown as ornaments for their bright orange, yellow or white flowers. Plants are well adapted to growth in hot and dry climate and can provide spring color of Xeriscape planting in desert areas. These types of plants, commonly known as African Daisy or Cape Marigold, have naturalized in the Western US and can be invasive in warm climate. The most common is Dimorphotheca Sinaute, more often known as Marigold's glandular cape. The alternative scientific name for this plant is dimorphotheca aurantiaca . Other plants share the common name of African daisy, including flowering plants in the family osteospermum .

These furry plants are years and do not live for more than one year. They grow to 1 to 1.5 ft (0.3-0.45 m) high and generally branched. Each plant produces more flowers, each of which grows on one stem. Flowers are2.4 to 5.6 (6-14 cm) wide. In addition to being used for color in sunny flower beds, African daisies are also used as cut flowers.

Dimorphotheca plants have an outer and inner circle of flowers. They produce two different types of seeds with different germination requirements, depending on the type of flower the seeds are produced. This variability helps to survive in extreme climate. The seeds were also examined as a potential source of crops for seed oil.

In desert areas such as South Arizona or South Africa, the seeds of Dimorphotheca germinate when they are connected in autumn and winter rains. Plants bloom in spring abundantly. If the season is not too wet, the plants will have to be connected every week. They grow when the conditions are fabed, then survive dry and heat like seed. Seed heads should be left on plants so they will make plants for the next ROk.

In the colder climate, the seeds of these African daisies often germinate in the seedlings before the seedlings are planted in the garden. The seeds should be planted inside at 68 ° F (20 ° C) or in the cold frame four weeks before the estimated date of the last frost. Plants are not hardy and will be killed by frost. The seeds could survive the winter if they fit on bare soil.

In these milder areas, Dimorphotheca is recommended as an annual for hot and dry conditions. Plants will have to be connected during development. Once the plants become, it is more likely to survive neglect than other annuals.