The MGS Forum

Plant identification => Plant identification => Topic started by: Hilary on September 21, 2011, 05:35:17 AM

Title: yellow flower, Portugal IDd by Oron as Arctotheca calendula
Post by: Hilary on September 21, 2011, 05:35:17 AM

When I looked up dandelion there appeared to be too many to choose from.
We saw this at Belem, Lisbon near the river estuary.
Any ideas

Title: Re: yellow flower, Portugal
Post by: oron peri on September 21, 2011, 07:01:04 AM

Hilary,

It is Arctotheca calendula, known as 'Cape Weed'.
Originated to S. Africa but have  naturelized in many parts of the world, including Portugal, Spain, Morocco etc.

Title: Re: yellow flower, Portugal
Post by: Hilary on September 21, 2011, 07:25:55 AM

Once more many thanks for the quick identification.
It isn't in my flowers of the Mediterranean book.
I had tried  looking for it many times  on various wild flowers of Portugal sites.
Then  decided that life is too short to spend so many hours looking for a dandelion

Title: Another yellow flower from Portugal
Post by: Hilary on September 23, 2011, 07:28:59 AM

We saw this At Cabo da Roca, the most westerly point of continental Europe,  in April 2008.
Is it  some relative of Arctotheca calendula which was identified  on this Forum a couple of days ago.
The leaves  appear to be round and the flowers have more petals.
Any ideas?

Title: Re: Another yellow flower from Portugal
Post by: oron peri on September 23, 2011, 08:39:16 AM

Hilary it is the same species, Arctotheca calendula.
It is a most variable species with many leaf forms.

ps.
I have merged the two topics.

Title: Re: yellow flower, Portugal
Post by: Hilary on September 23, 2011, 09:29:25 AM

Many thanks for the identification.
Must look for more anonymous flowers in various files

Title: Re: yellow flower, Portugal
Post by: Marilyn on October 20, 2011, 04:32:28 PM

I enjoy this flower very much. It seems to be quite prolific but not invasive here. If you look closely at the centres they are almost metallic navy blue in the sunshine, joyous against the soft sulphur yellow of the petals.

Title: Re: yellow flower, Portugal IDd by Oron as Arctotheca calendula
Post by: ezeiza on October 22, 2011, 05:55:21 PM

It is really attractive but always behaves as an annual. Is this normal, Oron?