Gazania flower
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Gazania rigens (syn. G. splendens), sometimes called treasure flower, is aspecies of flowering plant in the familyAsteraceae, native to southern Africa (Mozambique and South Africa), where it grows on dunes or coastal rocks. It is a herbaceous of creeping size, whose stems, over time, tend to become semi-woody. The solitary inflorescence, at least 5 cm in diameter, is the typical chapter of the plants of the family Asteraceae. Its fertile flowers (disc flowers) are deep yellow. From there, the different cultivars have given a whole range of flowers of different colors, even bicolor.
It responds very well to the culture in different containers, as long as the substrate is well drained and aerated. In the summer irrigation should be moderate and in winter hardly need irrigation, so it should be removed to avoid rot. It reproduces easily by seeds. It can be planted in winter, provided it is kept in a protected environment with a temperature ranging between 19-22 ºC; or in spring, directly in the place where we want to cultivate it. Also it reproduces by division of forest or cutting, in this case, it is necessary to do it in summer.
It self-sows with great ease, which has meant that often - if the climate and the environment are favorable - escape the crop. By colonizing other areas, especially protected natural areas, it has become a serious problem, since it alters the habitat of certain native species, endangering their survival, as is happening, for example, in the Albufera dunes of Valencia. In fact, in the Valencian Community, the Gazania (all species) is classified as invasive exotic plant species and is prohibited, in general "to facilitate the implantation, planting or planting, and abandon the remains in forest lands and wetlands. This prohibition does not affect the landscaping of private individuals in the realm of their property, provided that they do not represent a visible risk of dispersion.
For the rest, remember that if there is no sun, the flowers of the gazanias will be taken the day off. But on sunny days, they shine with their own light, from dawn to dusk.
It responds very well to the culture in different containers, as long as the substrate is well drained and aerated. In the summer irrigation should be moderate and in winter hardly need irrigation, so it should be removed to avoid rot. It reproduces easily by seeds. It can be planted in winter, provided it is kept in a protected environment with a temperature ranging between 19-22 ºC; or in spring, directly in the place where we want to cultivate it. Also it reproduces by division of forest or cutting, in this case, it is necessary to do it in summer.
It self-sows with great ease, which has meant that often - if the climate and the environment are favorable - escape the crop. By colonizing other areas, especially protected natural areas, it has become a serious problem, since it alters the habitat of certain native species, endangering their survival, as is happening, for example, in the Albufera dunes of Valencia. In fact, in the Valencian Community, the Gazania (all species) is classified as invasive exotic plant species and is prohibited, in general "to facilitate the implantation, planting or planting, and abandon the remains in forest lands and wetlands. This prohibition does not affect the landscaping of private individuals in the realm of their property, provided that they do not represent a visible risk of dispersion.
For the rest, remember that if there is no sun, the flowers of the gazanias will be taken the day off. But on sunny days, they shine with their own light, from dawn to dusk.
