Arctotis fastuosa most disc florets open

Arctotis fastuosa is called bittergousblom in Afrikaans, but grazing of the plants is probably limited to livestock and game, who would not divulge such information.

The woolly, fleshy leaves go unnoticed when the flowerheads are open. The plants often dont reach their maximum height, given the low Namaqualand rainfall patterns.

The flowerheads are up to 7 cm in diameter with at least two rows of ray florets. There is a dark ring of markings at the base of the upper ray florets. The rays are notably glossy in the photo. The central disc of the flowerhead is black when the disc florets are still closed, yellow when they open. Flower colours range from the common orange to reddish or yellowish orange and cream (www.plantzafrica.com).