Gazania
(named in honour of Theodore Gaza, 1393-1478, a learned Greek translator of the botanical works of Theophrastus into Latin). SYNS. Moehnia and Mussinia. ORD. Compositae. A genus comprising twentyfour species of very showy plants, native of the Cape of Good Hope. Flower-heads large and handsome, with yellow strap-shaped ray-florets and tubular disk-florets, usually of a darker colour. Leaves alternate or radical, entire or pinnatisect. Gazanias are of easy culture, in a cool greenhouse, or in the open border, in summer. A compost of loam and peat is most suitable. Propagation is rapidly effected, in July or August, by cuttings, made from the side shoots near the base of the plant; these should be inserted in sandy soil, and in a close frame.
G. Pavonia (peacock).* fl.-heads large, handsome; ray-florets with brown spot at the base, or white central dot, and a green tinge. July. l. pinnatifid, hairy. h. 1 1/2ft. 1864. A very handsome plant. (B. R. 35.) G. rigens (stiff). fl.-heads brilliant golden colour, with an interior black velvet band. June. l. linear, spathulate, hairy. h. 1ft. 1755. (B. M. 90.) From this and G. uniflora, the several garden varieties have been raised. G. splendens (splendid).* fl.-heads large; ray-florets bright orange, with a black and white spot at the base of each; disk paler. l. linear-spathulate, silky, white beneath. h. 1 1/2ft. A very handsome and much-grown trailer, of supposed hybrid origin.
G. uniflora (one-flowered).* fl.-heads yellow; ray-florets same colour as disk. July and August. l. spathulate-lanceolate, downy beneath. Stem shrubby, decumbent. h. 1ft. 1816. (B. M. 2270.)