156 / 476
GENERAL
Origin
:
Mediterranean,
sub-tropical,
tropical
Vigour
:
normal growth
rate
Humidity
:
very arid, semi-
arid, semi-humid
Propagation :
sowing and
pricking out,
cuttings, division
Maintenance :
moderate
CONDITIONS
Urban climate :
resistant
Dessication :
resistant
Stagnant water :
vulnerable
Irrigation
:
medium
Salinity/ppm :
moderate (2500
ppm)
Hardiness
:
-6°C
SHAPE
Type
:
perennial
Height
:
0.3 m
Spread
:
0.5 m
Foliage
:
evergreen
FLOWER
Colour
:
yellow
Size
:
6 cm
Period
:
March - June
FRUIT
Type of fruit :
achene
Fruit size
:
0.3 cm
This is the toughest Gazania variety surviving frost, salinity and drought. These characteristics
make it well adaptable to various habitats in its homeland, South Africa, but also in Arriyadh,
where it is a very dependable groundcover. Although resistant to dry soil, it appreciates frequent
watering in gritty soil that allows good drainage. It needs a place in full sun where the flowers
open during the day to close at dusk. Bright-yellow flowers appear most prolifically from spring to
summer, and occasionally in other seasons. Only few plants produce as glorious a show of colour
as this Treasure Flower every year, under the most adverse circumstances. The plants creep mo-
derately quickly with sparsely branched stems reaching some 40 cm in length. Its alternate leaves
are about 10 cm long and 3 cm wide with an obovate shape. The name leucolaena is derived from
the Greek word for a white cloak, referring to the tomentose leaves. It makes an ideal groundcover
in a rockery, but its silvery foliage also contrasts well in mixed borders and beddings with massed
plantings. On top and underneath, the leaves are woolly-hairy. After some years, this Gazania
sometimes sheds older leaves at the base and needs either hard pruning to regrow, or otherwise
the entire plant needs replacement. Some cultivars have been selected with an even more prolific
floral display such as ‘Sunglow’ and ‘Yellow Star’. Treasure Flowers grow readily from seed sown
in early spring. Cultivars are better propagated by division or cuttings both in spring or autumn.
155
Gazania rigens var. leucolaena,
Asteraceae
Treasure Flower