About Gazania krebsiana Less.
Gazania krebsiana Less. is a ground-hugging perennial grassland species that grows from a woody rootstock. It is one of the first plants to flower in spring, producing profuse blooms that appear either as small clumps of yellow or white flowers growing between low grass tussocks or burnt stubble, or as leafless single flowers that seem to be embedded directly into the soil. Its flowering period only lasts a few weeks after the first seasonal rains. Many forms of this species have buttercup-yellow ray florets that carry dark spots at their base. The showy flowers only open in strong sunlight; they close as light fades in the evening, and re-open again the next day. The leaves of this plant grow in tufts and are linear in shape, with a white felt-like texture on their underside. When damaged, the leaves release a milky latex. Gazania krebsiana is very similar to multiple other Gazania species, including Gazania rigida, Gazania pectinata and Gazania linearis. Boundaries between these species are not clearly defined, and they are often confused with one another in practice. Gazania species are popular cultivated garden plants, especially in Europe, due to their hardiness. Horticultural breeding has produced many cultivars of gazania that feature large flower heads and a wide range of flower colours. Bantu tribes use decoctions and infusions made from Gazania krebsiana as analgesics for pain relief.
