Gazania lichtensteinii

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Gazania lichtensteinii
Gazania lichtensteinii.JPG
Gazania lichtensteinii in Goegap Nature Reserve, Namaqualand
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Gazania
Species:
G. lichtensteinii
Binomial name
Gazania lichtensteinii

Gazania lichtensteinii (Afrikaans: geelgousblom, "yellow calendula") is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae, native to South Africa (Western Cape and Northern Cape provinces) and Namibia. On the SANBI Red List, it is listed as "safe". [1]

Contents

Description

Gazania lichtensteinii specimen showing the distinctively smooth, slender involucres with flat or truncate bases. Gazania lichtensteinii (Asteraceae) (37270000706).jpg
Gazania lichtensteinii specimen showing the distinctively smooth, slender involucres with flat or truncate bases.

This annual plant can be either compact and acaulescent, or form longer stems, and reaches up to 20 cm in height. Like many other Gazania species, the flowers are yellow and approximately 4 cm in diameter. [2]

Distinguishing characteristics of this species are the glabrous (smooth) involucres, which are slender in shape with a truncate base that often appears to have clear collar around it. The leaves are obovate to oblanceolate, usually 4 cm long. The leaves have dentate (toothed) margins, and a tomentose (woolly) underside. [3] [4]

Distribution and ecology

The distribution of Gazania lichtensteinii extends from southern Namibia, southwards across much of the western half of South Africa, including the Namaqualand, the Tanqua Karoo, the Gamka Karoo and parts of the western Little Karoo.

It is commonplace in the Succulent Karoo. The small seeds have fluffy tufts that spread in the wind. Young seedlings grow best on rough, barren ground where there is little competition from established plants. Ostriches in particular tend to feed on them. [5]

Related Research Articles

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Gazania is a genus of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae, native to Southern Africa.

<i>Gazania linearis</i> Species of flowering plant

Gazania linearis is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae, with thin linear leaves, native to South Africa.

<i>Felicia filifolia</i> Species of flowering plant

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<i>Gazania krebsiana</i> Species of flowering plant

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<i>Felicia namaquana</i> A annual plant in the daisy family from Namibia and South Africa

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<i>Pteronia paniculata</i> Species of plant

Pteronia paniculata is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae, indigenous to the Karoo regions of South Africa.

<i>Pteronia pallens</i> Species of plant

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<i>Pteronia incana</i> Species of plant

Pteronia incana is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae, indigenous to the Karoo regions of South Africa.

<i>Cyanella lutea</i> Species of flowering plant

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<i>Macledium spinosum</i> Species of flowering plant

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Pteronia glauca ("Geelboegoekaroo") is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae, indigenous to the Karoo regions of South Africa.

Pteronia oppositifolia is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae, indigenous to the western Little Karoo and Overberg regions in the Cape Provinces of South Africa.

<i>Gazania heterochaeta</i> Species of plant

Gazania heterochaeta is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae, native to South Africa and Namibia.

<i>Gazania ciliaris</i> Species of plant

Gazania ciliaris is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae, native predominantly to the Western Cape province, South Africa, where it occurs from Vanrhynsdorp to the Eastern Cape near Joubertina.

<i>Gazania pectinata</i> Species of plant

Gazania pectinata, the cockscomb Gazania, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae, native to the lower-lying regions and coastal plains of the Western Cape Province, South Africa.

<i>Gazania rigida</i> Species of plant

Gazania rigida, the "Karoo Gazania", is a species of flower native to the Western Cape and Northern Cape Provinces of South Africa.

<i>Gazania serrata</i> Species of plant

Gazania serrata is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae, native to the Northern Cape and Western Cape provinces, South Africa.

<i>Gazania maritima</i> Species of plant

Gazania maritima is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae, native to the Western Cape province, South Africa.

Ursinia punctata is a species of plant belonging to the daisy family. It is found growing in South Africa, where it has a wide distribution.

<i>Nemesia linearis</i> Southern African plant species

Nemesia linearis, also known as the witleeubekkie in Afrikaans, is a species of plant from southern Africa. It is found in South Africa and Namibia.

References

  1. "Red List Entry". SANBI.
  2. Carruthers, Vincent (2000). Field Guide – Natuurlewe Van Suider-afrika. Struik. ISBN   978-1-86872-452-9.
  3. 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
  4. 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.
  5. "Renu Karoo". Renu-Karoo Veld Restoration Nursery.[ dead link ]

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