Cape Rain Daisy Dimorphotheca pluvialis
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- dy-mor-foh-THEE-kuh ploo-vee-AL-iss
- Description
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White African Daisy is an annual in the sunflower family that is native to Southern Africa. This plant blooms with many showy white ray flowers during the growing season. The flowers close at night and on cloudy days. It prefers cool-weather summer areas and has difficulty with the humidity of the SE.
Use this plant in the front of the border, in small groupings, along walkways or in containers. Plant in full sun in fertile well-drained soil. Take care not to get the leaves wet when watering to prevent rot.
This plant is unusual in that it forms 2 types of seeds. The ones formed byt the center disc flowers germinate first. The ones formed by the rays have a delayed germination time. This protects the plant from unfavorable environmental conditions.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Dimorphotheca
- Species:
- pluvialis
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southern Africa
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 4 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The achenes formed by the disc flowers are winged. The ones formed by the ray flowers are oval and flat.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Radial
- Flower Petals:
- more than 20 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- The flowers have white rays that surround yellow-brown disc flowers. The rays are purple-tinged near the base giving it a ringed look and on the undersides.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Shape:
- Oblanceolate
- Obovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Dentate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- 3.5-inch long green narrow obovate to oblanceolate leaves with dentate margins
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Small Space
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Small groups
- Problems:
- Short-lived
