About Arctotheca prostrata (Salisb.) Britten
Arctotheca prostrata, commonly called Capeweed, South African Capeweed, Cape Dandelion, and Cape Gold, is a rosette-forming plant in the Asteraceae family. It is native to Namibia and the Cape Provinces of South Africa. Its infertile form is often cultivated as a ground cover, while the fertile form spreads rapidly in disturbed areas such as roadsides and trail edges, and threatens native ecosystems. It is classified as an invasive weed in California and Australia. Arctotheca prostrata grows best in coastal prairies, sandy soils, and disturbed areas. It has naturalized in parts of California, especially along the state’s north, central, and southern coasts. While the sterile form is grown as an ornamental ground cover, the fertile form causes significant ecological harm due to its fast spread and ability to colonize disturbed habitats.
