Osteospermum oppositifolium flowerhead

In its prime, the dark, purple-brown centre of disc florets in an Osteospermum oppositifolium flowerhead will have some yellow spots indicating open florets, pollen on anthers. A few thread-like inside surfaces of floret lobes are also visible.

The elliptic rays around the disc have longitudinal ridges and tips that are variably curved back. The flowerhead spreads its rays to a diameter of up to 5 cm. The rays overlap, growing in at least three rings, rows or whorls.

The fruits develop from the female rays in Osteospermum, the five-lobed disc florets being male (Manning, 2009; Le Roux, et al, 2005; Manning and Goldblatt, 1997).