African Daisy Ursinia anthemoides
ABOUT
Ursinia anthemoides, commonly known as the 'Sun Star', is a charming flowering plant celebrated for its vibrant display. It hosts an array of daisy-like blooms perched atop slender, branching stems. The flowers are particularly eye-catching with their striking yellow-gold petals that radiate from a central disk. This central disk is often a deep orange or brown color, creating a stunning contrast with the brighter ray florets that surround it. The foliage of the 'Sun Star' is also quite attractive. It features fine, feathery leaves that are delicate in appearance, creating a lacy backdrop for the sun-kissed flowers. These leaves are often a bright green hue, contributing to the plant's overall cheerful appearance. The 'Sun Star' often forms a compact, bushy clump. Its flowering season brings a show of blooms that are rich with nectar, attracting a variety of pollinators to the garden. Each flower head is perched gracefully, giving the impression of a field of miniature suns, especially when planted in groups. The plant's overall appearance exudes a sense of warm, sunny climates and is often used to inject a splash of color into ornamental beds and borders.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Asteraceae.
Synonyms
African Daisy, Solar Fire, Paradise Gold.
Common names
Anthemis hybrida, Ursinia pulchra, Ursinia anethoides.
ToxicityTo humans
Currently, there is limited information available regarding the toxicity of Ursinia anthemoides, commonly known as the "African daisy," to humans. As with many plants, it's possible that some people may experience adverse reactions if they ingest parts of this plant or come into contact with its sap. However, specific symptoms of poisoning from the African daisy are not well-documented. If you suspect poisoning from any plant, it is crucial to seek medical advice.
To pets
Information on the toxicity of Ursinia anthemoides, commonly known as the "African daisy," to pets such as cats and dogs is not widely documented. Depending on the sensitivity of the individual animal and the amount ingested, there might be a risk of gastrointestinal upset or other symptoms. However, there are no widely recognized symptoms of poisoning from this particular plant. If you believe your pet has ingested any part of the African daisy, it is advisable to consult with a veterinarian.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Annuals
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Orange-yellow
Height
1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
Spread
1 feet (30 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
9
Native area
South Africa
Benefits
General Benefits- Ornamental Value: Ursinia anthemoides, commonly known as silver-leaf daisy, has bright yellow, daisy-like flowers that add visual appeal to gardens and landscapes.
- Attracts Beneficial Insects: The flowers provide nectar and pollen for bees and butterflies, which are important pollinators in the ecosystem.
- Drought Resistance: Silver-leaf daisy is well adapted to dry conditions and can thrive with minimal watering, making it suitable for xeriscaping.
- Easy Propagation: It can be easily grown from seeds and is known for its self-seeding ability, which allows it to spread naturally within suitable environments.
- Soil Improvement: As a fast-growing plant, it can help stabilize and enrich the soil with organic matter when it decomposes.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Ursinia anthemoides, often known as the African Daisy, can be used as a natural dye source for textiles. The petals contain pigments that can impart a range of yellow hues to fabrics.
- In the garden, African Daisy can serve as a trap crop, attracting pests away from more valuable plants and thereby preventing damage to other crops.
- The plant's strong and unique scent makes it an ideal candidate for creating organic potpourris or scented sachets to freshen up drawers and closets.
- Its vibrant and colorful flowers can be used in crafting, such as in making floral decoupage or pressed flower art, preserving the beauty of the blooms.
- African Daisy can be planted as a cover crop in agricultural settings to improve soil health, suppress weeds, and prevent soil erosion.
- Due to their attractive appearance, the dried flowers of African Daisy might be incorporated into homemade paper for a decorative touch.
- The fine, feathery foliage of Ursinia anthemoides can be used in floral arrangements as filler, adding texture and contrast to bouquets.
- Gardeners might use this plant as a living mulch, to cover bare soil in ornamental beds and maintain soil moisture levels.
- The seeds of African Daisy may be used in bird feed mixes to attract a variety of birds to gardens for those interested in birdwatching.
- In culinary arts, the vibrant petals can be used as a natural garnish to add a pop of color to salads or desserts, though their flavor profile is not well documented.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Ursinia is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Ursinia is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Resilience: Ursinia anthemoides, commonly known as Ursinia, is a plant that thrives in challenging conditions, making it a symbol of resilience and the ability to overcome adversity.
- Adaptation: Ursinia has the ability to adapt to various environments, making it symbolic of adaptability and versatility.
- Beauty: With its bright, daisy-like flowers, Ursinia is often associated with natural beauty and the appreciation of life's simple pleasures.
- Healing: Some cultures may regard Ursinia as a symbol of healing, due to the presence of medicinal plants in the same family, Asteraceae.
- Hope: The vibrant and cheerful appearance of Ursinia flowers can be seen as a representation of hope and optimism for the future.
WaterFor the African Daisy, water thoroughly once the top inch of soil feels dry. This can vary depending on climate and season, but on average, it might need watering once every week during active growth periods, decreasing in cooler months. Apply enough water to saturate the soil to a depth of approximately 6 to 8 inches, which usually translates to about 0.5 to 0.75 gallons for an outdoor plant. It's important not to overwater as this can lead to root rot. Always ensure the pot has good drainage to prevent standing water.
LightAfrican Daisy thrives in full sun conditions and will perform best when it receives at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. The ideal spot would be in a south-facing location where it can soak up the sun's rays. If grown indoors, place it near a window that gets plenty of sunlight throughout the day.
TemperatureAfrican Daisy prefers warm temperatures ranging between 50 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. It can survive minimum temperatures down to about 30 degrees Fahrenheit, but growth will be slowed. Avoid exposing the plant to temperatures below freezing as it can damage or kill the plant.
PruningPrune the African Daisy to encourage bushier growth and more blooms. Deadheading, or the removal of spent flowers, should be done regularly to promote continuous flowering. Cut back the plant by one-third after the main blooming season to rejuvenate and stimulate new growth. The best time for a major pruning is late winter or early spring, just before new growth begins.
CleaningAs needed
SoilAfrican Daisy thrives in well-draining soil mixed with sand or perlite for adequate drainage. The ideal soil pH for African Daisy is slightly acidic to neutral, ranging from 6.0 to 7.5.
RepottingAfrican Daisies do not require frequent repotting and should be repotted once every two to three years or when they outgrow their current container.
Humidity & MistingAfrican Daisy prefers low to moderate humidity levels and can tolerate dry conditions typical of its native South African environment.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place African Daisy in bright light and well-draining soil.
Outdoor
Plant in full sun with well-draining soil and space adequately.
Hardiness zone
9-11 USDA
Life cycleUrsinia anthemoides, commonly known as the Cape daisy, begins its life cycle with seed germination, usually after rain has softened the soil. The seeds grow into seedlings, which establish a rosette of leaves at the soil surface. As the plant matures, it develops a sturdy stem and a dense foliage of finely dissected leaves. The Cape daisy then blooms, producing bright yellow or orange daisy-like flowers with a dark center, which is the reproductive phase involving pollination, often by insects. After pollination, the flowers produce seeds, completing the cycle. These seeds will lie dormant until the next suitable conditions for germination, starting the life cycle anew.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to summer
Ursinia anthemoides, commonly known as the Cape Daisy or African Daisy, is best propagated through seeds. The optimal time for sowing the seeds is either in early spring or autumn, depending on the local climate. The most popular and successful method involves surface sowing the seeds on a well-draining seed mix, ensuring that they are not covered with soil because they require light for germination. The seed tray should be placed in a warm spot with plenty of indirect sunlight, and the soil should be kept moist but not waterlogged. Germination usually occurs within two to three weeks. Once the seedlings have developed their first true leaves, they can be gently transplanted into individual pots or directly into the garden if the outdoor conditions are suitable.
