Coastal Gazania

Description:

Gazania rigens (syn. G. splendens), sometimes called Treasure Flower, belongs to the family Asteraceae, and is native to southern Africa. In Australia, where it is known as Coastal Gazania, the species has become naturalised on coastal dunes and roadsides in the Central Coast and Sydney regions of New South Wales, as well as the coast of South East Queensland. In South Australia, it is found in the southern Mount Lofty area as well as on the Eyre peninsula. In many areas of Australia, it is considered an invasive species.

Habitat:

Dunes at North Avoca Beach on the NSW Central Coast. This species is widespread along the NSW coastline.

Notes:

Whether by erroneous planting or natural seeding, and despite this species being an invasive import, it does a wonderful job at sand stabilizing on beachfront dunes. The plants in this spotting proved their worth only a few months ago when the entire eastern coastline of Australia was smashed by massive storms and huge seas. Other parts of the beachfront were undermined, but the dunes in this area remained intact. PS: I think the last photo in this series is also Gazania rigens, but without the dark petal stripe. It was found growing in the same area. I should have touched it - Gazania flowers are quite sticky.