We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Gardening

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is Dimorphotheca?

By Helga George
Updated: May 16, 2024
Views: 7,158
Share

Dimorphotheca is a small genus of flowering plants in the Astereaceae family. They are native to southern Africa, but are widely grown as ornamentals for their bright orange, yellow, or white flowers. The plants are well-adapted to growth in hot, dry climates and can provide spring color to xeriscape plantings in desert areas. Commonly known as the African daisy or cape marigold, these types of plants have become naturalized in the western U.S. and can be invasive in warm climates.

There are several species of dimorphotheca that are grown horticulturally. The most common is Dimorphotheca sinuate, more commonly known as glandular cape marigold. An alternate scientific name for this plant is Dimorphotheca aurantiaca. Other plants share the common name of African daisy, including flowering plants in the genus Osteospermum.

These hairy plants are annuals and do not live longer than one year. They grow to be 1 to 1.5 ft (0.3-0.45 m) tall, and are generally branched. Each plant produces multiple flowers, each growing on a single stalk. The flowers are 2.4 to 5.6 (6-14 cm) wide. In addition to being used for color in sunny flower beds, African daisies are also used as cut flowers.

Dimorphotheca plants have an outer and inner ring of flowers. They produce two different types of seeds with different germination requirements, depending on which type of flower the seeds are produced from. This variability helps the plants to survive in extreme climates. The seeds have also been examined as a potential crop source for seed oil.

In desert areas, such as southern Arizona or southern Africa, dimorphotheca seeds germinate when watered by fall and winter rains. The plants bloom profusely in the spring. If the season is not very wet, the plants will need to be watered every week. They grow when conditions are favorable, then survive drought and heat as a seed. Seed heads should be left on the plants, so they will produce the plants for the next year.

Often, in cooler climates, seeds of these African daisies are germinated indoors before seedlings are planted out in the garden. The seeds should be planted inside at 68°F (20°C), or in a cold frame four weeks before the estimated date of the last frost. The plants are not cold hardy and will be killed by a frost. Seeds might survive the winter if they are fall on bare ground.

In these more temperate regions, dimorphotheca is recommended as an annual for hot and dry conditions. The plants will need to be watered as they develop. Once the plants have become established, they are more likely to survive some neglect than other annuals.

Share
HomeQuestionsAnswered is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.homequestionsanswered.com/what-is-dimorphotheca.htm
Copy this link
HomeQuestionsAnswered, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

HomeQuestionsAnswered, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.