Family: Asteraceae
Author: (L.) Moench
Bibliography: Methodus: 585 (1794)
Year: 1794
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Dimorphotheca
Vegetable: False
Observations: Namibia to Cape Prov.
Description
The Cape rain daisy, known scientifically as Dimorphotheca pluvialis, is a captivating flowering plant belonging to the Asteraceae family. This enchanting species is endemic to the regions stretching from Namibia to the Cape Province, where it graces the landscape with its beautiful blooms.
Dimorphotheca pluvialis, first described in the comprehensive botanical work “Methodus” in 1794 by author (L.) Moench, boasts an array of distinctive features. The plant is renowned for its delicate, daisy-like flowers that are typically white with striking, purplish-blue centers. These blooms are not only visually appealing but also possess a unique trait—they tend to close up during rainy or overcast weather, a behavior that contributes to their common name, Cape rain daisy.
Cape rain daisies thrive in well-drained soils and areas that experience dry summers, making them well-suited to their native habitats. These hardy, resilient plants often adorn gardens and landscapes, celebrated not just for their aesthetic appeal but also for their adaptability to various climatic conditions.
In addition to their ornamental value, Cape rain daisies play a role in local ecosystems by attracting pollinators such as bees and butterflies, thus supporting biodiversity. Their low-maintenance nature and vibrant presence make them a popular choice among gardeners and plant enthusiasts.
Overall, Dimorphotheca pluvialis stands out as a symbol of beauty and resilience, a true testament to the diverse and thriving flora found in the southern parts of Africa.
Common Names
Eng: cape rain daisy, cape-marigold, weather prophet, weather-prophet, cape rain-daisy, rain daisy
Deu: regenzeigende kapringelblume, regenzeigendes kapörbchen
Fra: souci de cap, souci pluvial
Swe: väderspåman
En: Cape rain daisy, Cape-marigold, Weather-prophet, Weather prophet, White Namaqualand daisy, Cape Rain-daisy, Rain daisy
Af: Reënblom, Witmagriet, Wit-soe
Et: Vihma-kuldlill
Fi: Valkosääkukka
Fr: Souci de Cap, Souci pluvial, Souci du Cap
De: Regenzeigendes Kapörbchen, Regenzeigende Kapringelblume
Sv: Väderspåman
Synonyms
- Calendula versicolor (Salisb.)
- Gattenhoffia pluvialis ((L.) Druce)
- Meteorina crassipes (Cass.)
- Calendula hybrida (Sweet)
- Meteorina lyrata (Cass.)
- Meteorina gracilipes (Cass.)
- Meteorina gracilis (Less. ex Steud.)
- Calendula decurrens (Thunb.)
- Calendula pluvialis (L.)
- Dimorphotheca annua (Less.)
- Dimorphotheca leptocarpa (DC.)
- Dimorphotheca hybrida (DC.)
- Dimorphotheca incrassata (Moench)
Distribution
- Cape Provinces (native)
- Namibia (native)
- Bolivia (introduced)
- California (introduced)
- Costa Rica (introduced)
- El Salvador (introduced)
- France (introduced)
- Honduras (introduced)
- India (introduced)
- New South Wales (introduced)
- Poland (introduced)
- South Australia (introduced)
- Victoria (introduced)
Additional Images
Flower
Taken Feb 8, 2022 by Gema (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 19, 2022 by Gabriel Capó (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 24, 2021 by jeclerencia (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 24, 2021 by jeclerencia (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 1, 2022 by Annemarie Ahrens-Stehle (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Apr 22, 2020 by Pour Demos (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 23, 2022 by Fozame (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 13, 2021 by Giode Tonpino (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 11, 2019 by Giménez José Antonio (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 9, 2022 by Monteiro Henrique (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Aug 3, 2021 by jean-jacques kelner (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 13, 2021 by Giode Tonpino (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 24, 2022 by Ron Mattia (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 22, 2022 by Monika Tvrzníková (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 3, 2022 by Joaquin Tomas Moreno (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Apr 3, 2021 by Ruiz Juanan (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 13, 2022 by Dave Flack (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 15, 2022 by Dave Flack (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 19, 2022 by Nepomuk3000 (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 24, 2019 by García Ana (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Nov 8, 2022 by Caw Vus (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 19, 2020 by Pour Demos (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5402363)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:157385-3)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Dimorphotheca pluvialis (L.) Moench)