Bushy cap calendula
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Bushy cap calendula ( Dimorphotheca sinuata ) |
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The dimorphotheca sinuata ( Dimorphotheca sinuata ) is a plant from the genus of Kapringelblumen ( Dimorphoteca ) in the family of Compositae (Asteraceae).
features
Dimorphotheca sinuata is an annual herbaceous plant that reaches heights of 10 to 30 centimeters. The stem and leaves are almost bare. The aromatic leaves are lanceolate, rough, serrated, 7 to 10 centimeters long and 2 to 3 centimeters wide.
The cup-shaped inflorescences open in full sun, have a diameter of 3 to 4 centimeters and contain ray flowers and tubular flowers (disc flowers). The radially symmetrical tubular flowers are purple-brown. The zygomorphic ray florets are yellow, orange, salmon-colored or white, the ground is partly deep purple.
The flowering time extends from July to September, sometimes it begins as early as June.
When fruits are achenes formed. The achans from tubular florets look different from those from ray florets. The botanical generic name is derived from this: from the Greek words dis for two, morphe for shape and theka for fruit.
Occurrence
The bushy cap calendula is native to southwestern Africa. It occurs in the western Cape Province, in Namaqualand and Namibia in annual meadows on sandy soils and limestone ribs.
Culture
The bushy cap calendula is used as an ornamental plant in summer borders, perennial beds and rock gardens as well as a container plant and cut flower. Sowing for preculture in the cold frame can take place from March, the pre-grown plants can be planted out from mid-May or it is sown directly in the open from April. It prefers a sunny, sandy location in the garden that is not moist.
It is usually not the species itself, but hybrids with the rain-indicating cap calendula ( Dimorphoteca pluvialis ) cultivated, so-called Aurantiaca hybrids. These have flower heads with a diameter of up to 12 centimeters and reach heights of 15 to 50 centimeters.
Varieties (selection):
- 'Summer fashion': 30 centimeters high, with pastel-colored flowers
- 'Tetra Goliath': 40 to 50 centimeters high, large inflorescences, is used as a cut flower
- 'Spring Flash Orange': compact plant, flowers orange
supporting documents
- Eckehart J. Jäger, Friedrich Ebel, Peter Hanelt, Gerd K. Müller (eds.): Rothmaler Exkursionsflora von Deutschland Volume 5 Herbaceous ornamental and useful plants. Spectrum Academic Publishing House, Berlin Heidelberg 2008, ISBN 978-3-8274-0918-8 .
- Description in plantzafrica (Engl.)
