Common gazania
Gazania krebsiana
Family: Asteraceae
What it is like
A herb. It keeps growing from year to year. It lies along the ground. It can be 15 cm high. The leaves are in a clump near the base. They are grey-green. The mature leaves are compound and have 4-6 small narrow lobes on each side. They are rough to touch. They are shiny green on the upper surface and white and woolly underneath. The leaf and stalk can be 17 cm long. The flowers are daisy like. They are on long stalks. The flower stalk contains milky sap. There are a range of colours and they can be striped. The flower heads are 5-6 cm across.
Where it is found
It is a tropical and subtropical plant. It is best in well drained, compost rich soil. It grows in drier areas.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Botswana, East Africa, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Zimbabwe
How it is used for food
The flowers are eaten raw. The roots and leaves are eaten as a snack.
Edible parts
Leaves, flowers, root
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from seeds or by division of the clump.
It is fast growing.
Its other names
Local names
Imprphotshani, Isiphephane