Gazania linearis DC.   =Gazania longiscapa   Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)   South Africa   Gazania

                                      January Photo

Plant Characteristics:  Perennial with lvs. crowded in a basal tuft, stemless or nearly so; lvs.  variable, lanceolate and entire or pinnately cut, white-tomentose beneath, glabrous or nearly so above, margins somewhat revolute and ciliate; heads 1.5-3 in. across, on glabrous peduncles longer than lvs.; rays yellow or orange, often with black spot at base, closing at night; involucre glabrous, the teeth linear-subulate and very finely pointed and as long or longer than tube, outer bracts ciliate; pappus scales hidden by the longer hairs of fr..

Habitat:  About 25 herbaceous species native to S. Africa, a few grown in warm sunny climates.

Name:  Gaza-nia: after Theodore of Gaza, 1398-1478, translator of Aristotle and Theophrastus.  (Bailey 1012).  Longiscapus: long-scaped.  (Bailey 17).

General:  Uncommon in the study area, found only along the horse and bike path from the Delhi Ditch across the Santa Ana Heights area.  The species was introduced in 1987    with the hydromulch used to seed the new banks of the horse and bike path. The involucre contains a very sticky substance that causes the pappus bristles to stick to the dissecting tools. (my comments).     

Text Ref:  Bailey 1012; Hickman, Ed. 269; Roberts 11.

Photo Ref:  Oct 87-Jan 88  # 22,23.

Identity: by R. De Ruff, confirmed by F. Roberts.  

Computer Ref:  Plant Data 351.

Have plant specimen.

Last edit 10/15/02.