Dimorphotheca ecklonis

Dimorphotheca ecklonis, commonly known as Vanstadens daisy, is a perennial growing from a woody base. It may grow erectly or decumbent to 1 m tall and 1 m wide.

The leaves are variable. They are fresh green, sometimes shiny, thinly fleshy, usually crowded near branch tips with bare lower stems. The leaf shape is elliptic, the margins entire to markedly dentate. Leaves are sessile, tapering to the base. The arrangement on the stem is alternate or sub-opposite.

Flowerheads grow on short stalks at branch-tips. They may appear solitary or in small groups. The ray florets are white on the upper surfaces, light blue or violet below. Disc florets, the centre of the daisy, are dark blue or purple.

The species distribution is limited to a coastal region in the Eastern Cape to the west of Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth).

The habitat is sandy soil where the plants mainly grow on steep slopes or at cliff bases.The species is not considered to be threatened in its habitat early in the twenty first century.

The plant is a weed in Australia (www.plantzafrica.com; http://redlist.sanbi.org).