treasure flower

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Treasure Flower
• gazania
• treasure-flower

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Othonna rigens
• Melanchrysum rigens
• Meridiana ringens

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Asterales, it is a member of the Asteraceae family. Specifically, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Gazania.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution across several European regions. In Northern Europe, it can be found within the borders of Great Britain. Moving toward Southwestern Europe, the species is located in the Baleares islands. It also inhabits the island of Corse and stretches across the mainland of France. Finally, its range extends further south to include Portugal.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Gazania rigens is characterized by its preference for coastal habitats, where it thrives in environments typically exposed to maritime influences. This species occupies a specific altitudinal gradient, ranging from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum elevation of 500 m AMSL. This distribution pattern suggests an adaptation to low-lying, saline-influenced landscapes and coastal dunes, where it can navigate the unique stressors of seaside ecosystems within its established vertical range.

Elevational range max:

500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Coastal

Life history

The life history of Gazania rigens is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its growth habit and structural organization, the species functions as a hemicryptophyte, a life form where the perennating buds are located at or just below the soil surface, protected by leaf litter or the substrate. This hemicryptophytic nature enables the plant to endure environmental fluctuations by sheltering its regenerative tissues close to the ground, supporting its long-term survival within its ecological niche.

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Gazania rigens is characterized by a low-growing, non-woody growth form, primarily functioning as a terrestrial herb. As a self-supporting organism, it does not exhibit climbing or vine-like tendencies, nor does it function as an epiphyte or a parasite, remaining an independent species. The plant maintains a diminutive stature, with a height ranging from a minimum of 0.05 m to a maximum of 0.3 m. It is strictly a terrestrial plant, lacking any aquatic or semiaquatic adaptations.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.3 m

Plant height min:

0.05 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Gazania rigens is characterized by specific morphological adaptations in its foliage that facilitate resource acquisition and environmental resilience. The leaf architecture exhibits significant variability in dimensions, with leaf length ranging from a minimum of 4 cm to a maximum of 10 cm. Complementing this longitudinal variation, the leaf width demonstrates a specialized range, maintaining a minimum width of 0.5 cm and reaching a maximum width of 4 cm, with an observed mean width of 1 cm. These dimensional parameters suggest a physiological strategy optimized for managing transpiration and light interception within its native ecological niches.

Leaf length max:

10 cm

Leaf length min:

4 cm

Leaf width max:

4 cm

Leaf width mean:

1 cm

Leaf width min:

0.5 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Gazania rigens is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering cycle and distinct fruit morphology. The plant enters its flowering period starting in June and continues through to September, though the timing can be variable depending on environmental conditions. The reproductive process results in the production of an achene, which serves as the primary fruit type for the species. These fruits are categorized as indehiscent, meaning they do not spontaneously split open at maturity to release their seeds, relying instead on other dispersal mechanisms.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Sep

Fruit type :

achene

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Gazania rigens has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 2,4-D, Costunolide.

2,4-D

1. Bioresources and bioprocessing

Costunolide

1. Bioresources and bioprocessing

Activities

Gazania rigens has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant.

Antioxidant

1. Bioresources and bioprocessing

Conditions

Gazania rigens has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include anti-allergic, antioxidant.

Anti-allergic

1. Bioresources and bioprocessing

Antioxidant

1. Bioresources and bioprocessing

Preparations

Gazania rigens has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include cell suspension cultures.

Cell suspension cultures

1. Bioresources and bioprocessing