Osteospermum sinuatum var. sinuatum

Osteospermum sinuatum var. sinuatum, sometimes called the Karoo bietou, is a welcome sight to sheep farmers. Both palatable and much browsed most of the time, the plant sometimes causes prussic acid poisoning in livestock when the leaves wilt.

The yellow daisy flowers may about cover the leaves in the plant’s late winter and early spring bloomtime.

There are about 45 Osteospermum species, all growing in Africa, 35 in southern Africa (Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2010; Le Roux, et al, 2005; Shearing and Van Heerden, 2008; Vahrmeijer, 1981; iNaturalist; Leistner, (Ed.), 2000).