Swamp Daisy

Osmitopsis asteriscoides

This attractive and fast growing white daisy flowers during spring and early summer in dense groups, and is found in many of the wetland areas of the Western Cape. It is an erect herbaceous perennial which can grow to 2 m. It is sparsely branched at the base while the upper stems are well branched. The lower parts of the stems are leafless, showing the cracked grayish bark. The aromatic leaves are densely arranged towards the branch ends. The typical daisy flower heads are grouped on the short upper branches. Each flower head is about 35 mm across, the outer ray florets are white while the central disc florets are yellow. The leaves are lance shaped and may be smooth or velvety, 10 - 18 mm wide and 60 - 80 mm long and have a distinctive camphor-like smell.