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Terracotta Gazania
Gazania krebsiana subsp. krebsiana
SA tree number
English: Terracotta Gazania, Butter Flower, Common Gazania, Gazania
Afrikaans: Gousblom, Botterblom, Rooi Gazania, Bruingousblom, Gewone Botterblom, Kleingousblommetjie, Oranjegousblom, Rooibotterblom, Shoeshoe, Witgousblom
Xhosa: Isapokwe, Ubendle, Umkwinti
Zulu: Impephotshani, Sisphephane, Ubendle
S. Sotho: Mabone, Tsikitlane
Misapplied or old scientific names: Gazania lineariloba, Gazania mucronata, Gazania oxyloba, Gazania varians, Meridiana krebsiana, Meridiana lineariloba, Meridiana mucronata, Meridiana oxyloba, Gazania pavonia
Gazania krebsiana subsp. krebsiana, commonly known as the Terracotta Gazania or Common Gazania, is a beautiful indigenous herbaceous perennial native to a wide range of habitats across South Africa. This resilient groundcover is highly prized for its cheerful, daisy-like flowers, which typically boast vibrant terracotta, orange, or dark red ray florets, often with striking dark brown or black markings at their base. It forms low-growing tufts of distinctive foliage and blooms profusely, making it a popular choice for sunny, dry garden beds.
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Distinguishing features
A low-growing, semi-decumbent (prostrate to ascending) herbaceous perennial forming tufted mounds.
Produces showy, daisy-like flowers with vibrant terracotta, orange, or dark red ray florets, often with distinctive dark brown or black markings at their base.
Flowers open fully in direct sunlight and close in the evening or on overcast days.
Leaves are typically lobed (pinnatifid), green to greyish-white, and often covered in fine, white, woolly hairs, especially on the underside.
Has a long flowering period, mainly from late winter into summer.
Overall appearance:
Gazania krebsiana subsp. krebsiana forms neat, dense tufts of foliage from which numerous brightly coloured, daisy-like flowers emerge on slender stalks. When in bloom, it creates a vibrant carpet of colour, especially under full sun, making it an eye-catching groundcover or border plant.
Height:
Typically grows 15–30 cm tall.
Width:
Forms spreading clumps about 20–40 cm in diameter, and multiple plants can spread to create a mat-like groundcover.
Leaves:
Alternate, narrowly obovate to obovate, often deeply lobed (pinnatifid) with 1 to 3 pairs of lobes, up to 11 cm long and 3 cm wide.
Colour varies from green to greyish-white, often densely covered with soft, white woolly hairs, especially on the underside.
They taper towards the petiole (leaf stalk).
Flowers:
Solitary, terminal, radiate flower heads (capitula) that are 5–9 cm in diameter when fully expanded.
Ray florets (petals) are typically a magnificent dark red, orange, or terracotta, often with distinctive dark brown (sometimes with black or white spots) markings or a "throat" at their base.
Disc florets in the centre are bright yellow and tubular.
Flowers are held on hairy peduncles (flower stalks) up to 10 cm long.
Flowering season:
Flowers from late winter (August) through to mid-summer (January), with a peak in spring (October to November). It can flower sporadically outside these times in favourable conditions.
Fruits:
Small, yellowish-brown, narrowly turbinate (obconical) or club-shaped dry fruits called cypselae (achenes).
Densely covered with long, upwardly directed, straight hairs, which aid in wind dispersal.
Seeds:
Small, light, and numerous, contained within the cypselae. They are dispersed by wind and can remain viable for several years.
Stems:
Simple or sparsely branched, semi-decumbent (lying on the ground with tips turned upwards), herbaceous stems, up to about 40 cm long. They are evenly and densely leafy throughout.
Roots:
Possesses a fibrous root system with a sturdy woody rootstock, enabling it to withstand dry conditions and resprout.
Soil type:
Highly adaptable, thriving in a wide range of well-drained soils, including sandy, loamy, and clay soils. Good drainage is essential, as it dislikes waterlogged conditions. It prefers neutral to alkaline pH.
Aspect:
Requires full sun for optimal flowering; the flowers will open only in direct sunlight. It is highly drought-tolerant once established and can tolerate light to moderate frost, especially if kept dry in winter. It is also resistant to sea spray, making it suitable for coastal gardens.
Edibility:
The ray florets (petals) are reported to taste like butter when chewed, leading to the Afrikaans common name "Botterblom" (Butter Flower). However, it is not a significant food plant for humans.
Toxicity:
Generally considered non-toxic. The sap from the flower stalks is milky but not reported to be irritating or harmful.
Uses:
Ornamental Plant: Widely used as a colourful groundcover, for mass planting, borders, rockeries, on slopes, or in containers. Its bright colours brighten up any garden.
Pioneer Plant: Due to its hardiness and adaptability, it is an excellent pioneer plant for rehabilitating disturbed areas.
Soil Stabilisation: Its spreading habit and root system help to stabilise soil, particularly on slopes.
Pollinator Attractor: Attracts bees, butterflies, and other insects to the garden.
Drought-tolerant Gardens: Essential component of water-wise and xeriscape gardens.
Ecology:
Pollination: The vibrant flowers attract various insects, including bees, butterflies, and beetles, which act as pollinators.
Seed Dispersal: The hairy achenes are effectively dispersed by wind, allowing the plant to colonise new areas.
Habitat: Plays a role in providing groundcover and early seasonal colour in grasslands, fynbos, and other open habitats.
Distribution and habitat:
Gazania krebsiana subsp. krebsiana is widespread throughout South Africa, and also found in Namibia, Lesotho, and Eswatini.
South African Provinces: Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, Western Cape.
Habitat: Occurs in grasslands, fynbos, renosterveld, Namaqualand veld, and on rocky slopes, flats, and sandy areas. It is well-adapted to hot, dry conditions and often colonises disturbed sites.
Derivation of name:
The genus name Gazania honours Theodor of Gaza (1398–1458), who translated the botanical works of Theophrastus from Greek to Latin. Alternatively, it may derive from the Greek word gaza, meaning "riches," referring to the rich colours and abundance of the flowers.
The species epithet krebsiana honours Georg Ludwig Engler (Louis) Krebs (1792–1844), a German apothecary and collector who collected plants in South Africa.
The subspecies epithet krebsiana indicates that this is the typical or original form of the species.
Historical aspects:
Gazania krebsiana is a parent plant to many of the Gazania hybrids commonly sold in garden centres today. It has long been admired for its stunning floral displays, particularly in regions like Namaqualand where it blankets the landscape in vibrant colour after rains, and has been a popular garden plant in South Africa and internationally for decades.
Interesting facts
These sun-loving daisies literally close up shop when the sun goes down or hides behind clouds, only to burst open again with the morning light!
The "Butter Flower" (Botterblom) gets its name because, surprisingly, some people claim its petals actually taste like butter when chewed!
Gazania krebsiana is a natural toughie, a "pioneer plant" that's often among the first to bring a splash of colour to disturbed or dry areas.
Growing tips
Propagation: Easily propagated from seed. Sow seeds in autumn or spring directly into loosened, aerated soil, or in seedling trays. Mixing seeds with a little sand can help with even distribution. They germinate quickly. Can also be propagated from rooted runners or stem cuttings.
Planting: Requires full sun for best flowering. Plant in well-drained soil. It is very adaptable to various soil types, including sandy, loamy, and clay, as long as drainage is good.
Watering: Extremely drought-tolerant once established. Water sparingly, allowing the soil to dry out completely between waterings. It prefers to be kept on the drier side, especially in winter or during cold spells. Overwatering can lead to rot.
Frost: Tolerates light to moderate frost, especially if kept dry. In very severe frost regions, it might benefit from a protective mulch.
Maintenance: Low maintenance. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms and prevent excessive self-seeding if not desired. A light trim after the main flowering flush can help maintain a neat appearance.
Uses: Ideal for rockeries, dry slopes, borders, containers, and general groundcover in sunny, water-wise gardens.
This plant is a fantastic alternative for:
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