Arctotis fastuosa about three rows of rays

Arctotis fastuosa is sometimes confused with plants of its own genus and some other Asteraceae genera, like Arctotheca and Gazania. Arctotis seeds have tufts of wool attached to them and their ray florets are fertile, unlike the arctothecas; not the kind of features likely to be picked up by the casual observer of flowers in the veld.

Fastuosa comes from the Latin, fastuosus, meaning haughty, proud, showy or ostentatious. Some of these words denote human characteristics, well below the dignity of any self-respecting daisy.

Personification is, however, another human trait that creeps into our dealings with and naming of plants and animals, even inanimate objects. This is innocuous and edifying in art, awkward or doubtful in projection. Fuzzy talk saying nothing should not stick in peoples thinking.

Playful or pathological, talk nicely to your trees and plants! Hug them when the worst critics arent watching and keep watch to save them from harm (Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2010; www.plantzafrica.com).