Rock Daisy

Description:

Heterolepis aliena is a rounded, densely leafy shrublet with a sprawling habit and a woody rootstock. It can reach up to 600 mm in height with an even wider spread. The leaves are long (about 25-40 mm) and narrow with the edges rolled under, nearly concealing the densely woolly underside. The spectacular daisies are about 60 mm in diameter and are held on short, roughly hairy stalks during spring to midsummer (Sept. to Dec.-Jan.). Some bushes flower so profusely that the flowers almost completely cover the plant. When freshly opened, the daisies have a dark gold centre, whereas older daisies have a ring of lighter gold around the centre. If you inspect one closely, you can see that the lighter ring is formed by the open disc florets while the unopened ones are dark gold in colour. When all of the disc florets are open they give the daisy a slightly puffy centre. SeedThe seeds are very light, small (3 mm long) and covered with white fur, with an approx. 10 mm long pappus of coarse, bristle-like, yellow-brown hairs. Seedhead, buds and leavesWhile still attached to the flower stalk, they make golden brown pompoms. A relatively light touch causes one to disintegrate and the seeds blow away. (http://www.plantzafrica.com/planthij/het...)

Habitat:

Heterolepis aliena occurs on rocky sandstone slopes, in crevices and on outcrops from the Cedarberg Mountains to the Witteberg and Hermanus. It is most often found on steep, sunny, north or northeast-facing slopes or well-drained, rocky outcrops on shallow soils, in dry fynbos as well as in areas that receive high rainfall, such as Franschhoek. (http://www.plantzafrica.com/planthij/het...)