Gazania krebsiana, also a dune dweller

The colour of Gazania krebsiana may also appear like this, different to the well-known terracotta form. The photo was taken close to the beach in the De Hoop Nature Reserve early in spring.

The plant grows in soil that is predominantly sand here. Elsewhere it may be found in very different and variable habitat conditions; typically on flats and lower slopes among rocks, also in clay.

G. krebsiana will help pioneer terrain where poor conditions have prevailed, such as in overgrazed fields and where the soil had been disturbed. The average lifespan of a G. krebsiana plant is about three years, while the seed remains viable for several years. This is one of the Asteraceae family’s resilient members (Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2010; Manning, 2009; iSpot; www.plantzafrica.com).