Gerbera Daisies

by Elyssa Grimsby
Plant Sciences 211, NDSU, Fall 2011

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Introduction

The gerbera daisy is a favorite flower amongst the masses due to its striking appearance. These flowers are generally used as a decorative cut flower for bouquets but are also in flower beds. These daisies come in many vibrant colors including red, orange, yellow, pink, white and cream. There are over 30 known wild species in South America, Africa and Asia. These flowers are native to Africa, South America and Asia, however many other coutries are able to grow gerbera daisies if the right climate exists. The gerbera daisy got its name after Traugott Gerber who was a German naturalist in the 1700s. Gerbera daisies are also know as African daisies, Barberton daisies, Transvaal Daisies and Veldt daisies.

Classification

(Gerbera jamesonii)

Kingdom: Plantae

Class: Magnoliopsida

Order: Asterales

Family: Asteraceae

Subfamily: Mutisiodeae

Tribe: Mutisieae

Genus: Gerbera

Interesting Facts

-Gerberas were not produced in North America until the early 1920s

-Gerbera daisies are the fifth most used cut flower in the world after the rose, carnation, chrysanthemum and tulip

-Gerberas are resistant to deer

-The plant attracts bees and butterflies

-Gerbera daisies can mean innocence, purity and cheerfullness

-They have a very long vase life