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Dune Daisy
Felicia echinata
SA tree number
English: Dune Daisy, Prickly Felicia, Dune Felicia
Afrikaans: Bloublommetjie
Historical botanical names: Aster echinatus, Pteronia echinata
Synonyms: Felicia paralia, Aster echinatus var. paralia, Pteronia echinata
Felicia echinata, known as dune daisy or prickly felicia, is an evergreen, much‑branched perennial shrublet with glossy, spiky leaves and bright daisy flowers—mauve or occasionally white petals surrounding a yellow centre—that bloom from autumn to spring along coastal dunes.
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Distinguishing features:
Evergreen, many-branched perennial shrublet about 60 cm high
Shiny dark green leaves edged with small white teeth and ending in a sharp tip
Large daisy flowers mauve (sometimes white) with bright yellow centres, held at branch tips
Flowering from autumn to spring; followed by fluffy seed heads for wind dispersal
Overall appearance:
A low, spreading, much-branched shrublet with glossy, spiky leaves and daisy-like flowers at branch ends.
Height:
About 60 cm
Leaves:
Oval to triangular, shiny dark green, overlapping on stems, edged with small white teeth and curving to a sharp tip, pointing downwards away from stem.
Flowers:
Large daisies, usually mauve with yellow centre; occasionally white forms occur; borne in clusters of 2–3 at branch tips; profuse flowering from around April to October (autumn to early summer).
Flowering season:
Autumn to spring (approximately April to October)
Fruits:
Fluffy seed heads form after flowering; seeds are flat, oval, light brown, with tufts of long hairs for wind dispersal.
Stems:
Branches often bend and lie on the ground, then turn up towards the sun, ending in flower clusters.
Soil type:
Sandy soils on coastal dunes and roadsides.
Aspect:
Sunny positions; thrives in well‑drained sandy soil. Tend to be frost tender in very cold areas.
Uses:
Excellent for water-wise gardens with long flowering season
Provides foliage texture and groundcover on dunes or rockeries
Ecology:
Spiky leaves likely deter herbivores; flowers attract butterflies and honeybees.
Distribution and habitat:
Endemic to South Africa; found on sandy dunes along the coast of the Eastern and Western Cape, from Mossel Bay to Port Alfred, often along roadsides.
Derivation of name:
The species name echinata comes from Latin for ‘covered with prickles’, referencing its spiky leaves.
Historical aspects:
First named Pteronia echinata by Thunberg, later reclassified as Aster echinatus, and finally as Felicia echinata.
Interesting facts:
Its spiky leaves not only look cool but probably help stop animals nibbling on it.
You’ll see it flowering nearly all year on dunes—bringing colour when many plants are resting.
Seed heads fluff out after flowering, turning the plant into a mini dandelion machine for spreading seeds by wind.
Growing tips:
Plant in full sun in well‑drained sandy soil.
Group plants close together for best display; works well as filler, in rockeries or cascading over edges.
Lightly prune after flowering to maintain vigour and shape.
Easily grown from cuttings (best in spring or autumn) or seed sown in autumn or spring; seeds germinate in about three weeks and flower the following season.
This plant is a fantastic alternative for:
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