Gazania krebsiana planted in Gauteng

The leaves of Gazania krebsiana, a variable species, may also be as lush, green and shiny as seen here. Those specimens that fend for themselves in nature, especially in the more arid parts of the wide distribution of the species that ranges from the Cape to Tanzania, may flower prettily in spite of having only a few leaves and a frugal lifestyle forced upon it.

G. krebsiana is one of the hallmark flowering plants of Namaqualand. In a well tended garden such as the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden where this one hangs out, a vigorous response is usually forthcoming.

It is believed that the generic name Gazania commemorates Theodor of Gaza, a fifteenth century translator of the botanical works of Theophrastus, the ancient Greek philosopher who first wrote about the plant world. This translation was from Classical Greek to Latin, the two languages featuring much in scientific names of plants, animals and body parts, but fading elsewhere in the modern world (Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2010; Manning, 2009; iSpot; www.plantzafrica.com).