Citation: Moench, Meth. 585 (1794).

Synonymy: Calendula pluvialis L., Sp. PI. 921 (1753); D. annua Less., Syn. Gen. Comp. 257 (1832).

Common name: Cape marigold.

Description:
Annual herb to 20 cm high; stems ascending, simple or few-branched, pubescent, striate; leaves sessile, oblanceolate, obtuse, narrowed at the base, 2-6 cm long, 5-20 mm wide, decreasing in size up the stem, somewhat fleshy, densely pubescent, with a distinct mid-vein; margins very shallowly sinuate-dentate to entire.

Peduncles robust, dilated below the capitulum, 3-9 cm long, densely pubescent; involucre 10-12 mm long; bracts 12-18, lanceolate, acuminate, imbricate, glandular-pubescent; ray florets 12-18; ligules 2-3 cm long, white above, purple to violet below.

Ray achenes tuberculate, 4-5 mm long, pale-brown; disk florets numerous; corolla tube yellowish; lobes purple; disk achenes surrounded by a broadly obovate emarginate wing, 6-8 mm long, pale-brown.

Distribution:  Mainly on coastal dunes and cliffs. S.Aust.: EP, SL, SE.   Vic.   Native to South Africa. Conservation status: native Flowering time: Aug. — Oct.

SA Distribution Map based on current data relating to specimens held in the State Herbarium of South Australia

Biology: No text

Author: Not yet available