Asteraceae

Osteospermum moniliferum

Common Names: Boneseed and bitou bush Synonyms: Chrysanthemoides monilifera

Plant Form: Shrub. Size: Up to 3 m tall. Stem: Woody, branched, finely hairy when young. Leaves: Oval shaped, alternate, undivided, narrowing towards base, leathery, and with irregular toothed edges. Flowers: Yellow daisy-like flowerheads 1-3 cm across with 4-8 petals in clusters at the end of branches. Fruit and Seeds: Fleshy, blackish when ripe, round, 6-8 mm in diameter. Containing a single whitish smooth seed. Habitat: Coastal scrublands, old gardens, dunes, woodland, rainforest. Distinguishing Features: Round fruit and toothed leaf margins toothed compared to Bitou bush (Chrysanthemoides monilifera subsp. rotundata).