African Moon

The African Moon plant is often grown in parks and gardens as an ornamental since the bright white daisy flowers form a dazzling mass during the spring.

Dimorphotheca pluvialis, the African Moon are the white daisy flowers, native of Namibia. African Moon flowers are also commonly called as Oxeye daisy, Rain Daisy, Cape Daisy, Witbotterblom. African Moon is cultivated as field crop for oil seed production particularly in Northern Europe.

Kingdom

Plantae

Division

Magnoliophyta

Class

Magnoliopsida

Order

Asterales

Family

Asteraceae

Genus

Dimorphotheca

Species

pluvialis

African Moon flowers are about 2 1/2 inches in diameter. The species Dimorphotheca pluvialis is characterized by hermaphrodite disc florets and female-fertile (male-sterile) ray florets. Both types of florets produce distinctly different types of seeds (achenes). Seeds produced by ray florets are small, angular, while those of the disc florets are flattened and have winged margins. The ray florets have one large white petal, which is often colored purple at the base, giving the appearance of a ring in the inflorescence.

Facts About African Moon

• African Moon is a tender annual that grows to 8-12 inches.
• Blooms of African Moon are seen in Orange, white, yellow colors.
• African Moon flowers are pollinated by small horseflies.
• The leaves of African Moon are narrow and light green, and 7 cm long and with indented edges.
• The leaves are numerous at the base of the stems, becoming fewer and smaller near the top.
• African Moon flowers close at night and on cloudy days or before rain.
• The seeds of African Moon are achenes.
• Two different types of florets, produce 2 different seed types, rod-like and winged seeds.
• The winged seed type being in the majority.
• When ripe the seeds are exposed and become creamy-brown and then fall to the ground.

Growing African Moon

• African Moon grows easily form seed.
• Sow the seeds in autumn directly into the planting beds.
• Scatter the seed on well-prepared soil with good drainage and in full sun.
• The seeds can be lightly covered with sand or fine milled bark.
• Germination is fast, usually within 4 days.
• Plant these African Moon seedlings closely.
• Apply fertilizers only if the plants look stunted or deficient.

African Moon Plant Care

• African Moon plant requires good amount of sunshine.
• Watering the young seedlings regularly.
• Apply the fertilizers if only necessary.
• Dimorphothecea pluvialis has a major pest as guineafowl, which love to eat the soft new growth.
• Use pesticides to drive away the insects damaging the plant.