Family: Asteraceae
Origin, Description & Uses
Dimorphotheca fruticosa (trailing African daisy) is native to the coastal regions of South Africa, from the Cape Province to KwaZulu-Natal. It is a low-growing, spreading perennial with trailing stems and attractive daisy-like flowers that are typically white to pale purple with contrasting centers. This hardy plant is commonly used as an ornamental groundcover in gardens, especially in coastal landscapes, due to its ability to tolerate salt spray, drought, and sandy soils. It is also valued for erosion control on slopes and disturbed sites where quick soil coverage is desired.
Risks & Threats
Although Dimorphotheca fruticosa is not currently known to be naturalized in the Hawaiian Islands, it is a vigorous spreading groundcover that can form dense mats under favorable conditions. Its ability to root along trailing stems and persist in coastal environments suggests it could establish in similar habitats if introduced. However, it is generally considered low risk, with no strong evidence of aggressive invasiveness in comparable tropical island ecosystems. Continued monitoring is recommended to ensure it does not escape cultivation or displace native coastal vegetation.
High Risk Traits:
- Naturalized in California and New Zealand
- Congeneric species (O. clandestinum, O. ecklonis) are invasive
- Deer resistant (unpalatable)
- Host for lettuce mosaic potyvirus and Phytophthora
- Reproduces vegetatively by rooting branches
- Grown intentionally as an ornamental
- Tolerates mutilation (mowing, cutting back)
- Can be grown as an annual (short generation time)
Low Risk Traits:
- No spines, thorns, burrs, or allelopathic properties
- Non-toxic to animals and humans (low allergy risk)
- Fire retardant
- Not shade tolerant
- Limited seed production; hybrids do not come true from seed
- No specialized seed dispersal mechanisms (no barbs, pappus, or water/bird dispersal)
- No persistent seed bank reported
- Controllable with herbicides
