Euryops pectinatus (golden daisy bush)

Restricted to South Africa where it is found in the south-western Cape from Gifberg to the South Peninsula. It has a characteristic distribution in the fynbos (shrubland or heathland vegetation in coastal and mountainous areas, having winter rainfall and a Mediterranean climate).

Euryops pectinatus leaves (Image: Emma Allen)

Euryops pectinatus is a half-hardy, vigorous, evergreen shrub growing up to 1.5 m tall. Its upright shoots are clad with pinnately dissected, hairy, soft, grey-green leaves in spirals. The leaves are 40-100 mm long.

The bright yellow flower heads (capitula) are produced nearly all year round, with the main display being in spring. The flower heads are borne terminally in loose clusters, or can be solitary, each one being held on a pedicel 7-10 cm long. Each flower head is 5 cm in diameter and consists of an outer ring of female ray florets, with a circle of hermaphrodite disc florets in the centre.

The fruits are one-seeded, hairless or covered in myxogenic (slime-producing) hairs, and are topped by a pappus of white or brown caducous (falling before mature) bristles, although the pappus may be absent.

Grown as an ornamental for its bright yellow flower heads and fern-like leaves.

Golden daisy bush requires a moderate amount of water and should be planted in a position where it can receive full sunlight. When these conditions are satisfied it is fast-growing and flowers freely. After flowering the dead flower heads should be removed, and the shrub should be pruned back lightly. Euryops pectinatus responds well to pruning and can be cut back hard every few years. It can be propagated from seed or by cuttings, which strike easily when placed in sand and kept moist.

Euryops pectinatus is grown in the behind-the-scenes Decorative Nursery at Kew.

Pressed and dried specimens of E. pectinatus are held in the behind-the-scenes Herbarium at Kew, where they are made available to researchers from around the world, by appointment. The details, including an image, of a specimen of E. pectinatus subspecies lobulatus can be seen on-line in the Herbarium Catalogue.

Search Kew's databases for more information on this species

Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit

South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI)