Osteospermum is a genus of about 70 species of subshrubs, herbaceous perennials and annuals. They are native to southern Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Many of the plants sold today under the names African daisy or osteospermum are cultivars and hybrids derived from O. ecklonis, O. jucundum and several other species. As a group, these plants are frost-tender subshrubs or herbaceous perennials that feature daisy-like flowers on upright stems rising to 1-3ââ¬â¢ tall. Stems are clad with lanceolate green leaves having entire, lobed or toothed margins. Each flower features a center disk of tiny tubular flowers surrounded by fertile, petal-like ray flowers in a variety of colors including shades of white, pink and yellow. In cool summer climates, flowers bloom freely from spring to fall frost. In hot summer climates, flowers bloom well in spring to early summer, but decline rapidly with the onset of consistently hot summer temperatures. Fruits are seed-like achenes.
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