Many collectors of South African plants have raved about this attractive
plant and J.D. Keet, who collected a specimen as early as 1918 in
the Knysna District, said this 'showy shrub would be suitable for
borders or hedges in gardens'. The species name virgineus
comes from the Latin word virgo meaning virgin, untouched-certainly
descriptive of the plant in full flower growing in its natural habitat.
The honey euryops is a much-branched, evergreen shrub of up to 3.5
x 1.5 m. The branches are mostly straight, densely leafy in the
upper parts, but bare lower down and rough because of the leaf scars.
The leaves are dark green, small, 5-12 x 2-7 mm, palmate (like a
hand with webbed fingers) or fan-shaped, with 3 to 7 lobes arranged
alternately or spirally on the branches. Masses of small, bright
yellow, honey-scented daisy flowerheads, 8-10 mm in diameter, consisting
of both ray and disc florets, are produced terminally from late
winter to spring (July-September), making it a conspicuous sight
from afar. Each flowerhead consists of an outer row of 'petals'
which are the ray florets. The disc florets are in the centre of
the flowerhead, are fused into tubes and resemble the stamens of
other flowering plants. The flowers last well in a vase and will
brighten a dull, cold winter's day! The fruits (cypselas) are small,
1.8-2.5 mm long, oblong, slightly angled, smooth and shiny yellow
or light brown. They are topped with a tuft of short, white hairs
(pappus hairs) which is soon lost.
Euryops virgineus is endemic to southern Africa and occurs
naturally in the southern coastal areas from Bredasdorp in Western
Cape to Alexandria in Eastern Cape, often at low altitudes. It extends
inland into the Swartberg Mountains to about 1 200 m. It is found
in fynbos on mountain sides, sandy hill slopes, roadsides and sometimes
on limestone. It also grows in karroid scrub and in grassland.
Ecology and uses
The sweetly scented flowers are visited by swarms of honey-bees
which are obviously responsible for the pollination of the florets.
The fruits (cypselas) are not adapted for any special distribution
mechanism and they will fall close to the mother plant. They could
be carried away by a strong wind, heavy rain or insects.
Growing Euryops virgineus
honey euryops is very showy when in full flower. It needs full sun
and moderate water. It is evergreen, frost-hardy and drought- and
wind-resistant when established. It is, however, advisable to water
the plants during winter in the summer rainfall areas. They like
some spray on the leaves in the dry winter atmosphere. It is fast
growing and therefore perfect for new gardens, where it rapidly
fills empty spaces. Plant it at the back of a flower bed or as a
hedge. Prune the plants back hard after flowering to keep them tidy.
You may have to replace old plants after a few years when they have
become too leggy and untidy. Propagate from seed or cuttings, but
cuttings will grow faster and flower sooner.
- Herman, P.P.J. & Joffe, P. 2003. Brighten your garden
with South African daisies. Poster presented at the First
International Meeting of Deep Achene: The Compositae Alliance,
on 9-10 January 2003, at the National Botanical Institute, Pretoria.
- Joffe, P. 1993. The gardener's guide to South African plants.
Tafelberg, Cape Town.
- Nordenstam, B. 1968. The genus Euryops. Part 1. Taxonomy. Opera
Botanica 20: 138-142.
National Herbarium, Pretoria