Plant of the day is: Berkheya purpurea or bloudisseldoring
I have a few of these germinating and they look like they might be a little tricky through the establishment phase (the biggest challenge really). So, it's time to study up.
Photo Credit: Lollie-Pop (CC By 2.0)
Taxonomy, etc.: A member of the Asteraceae family, as noted by all those disk and ray flowers. It is in the subfamily Carduoideae...the thistles! I have a bit of a soft spot for thistles (which I'm sure they would more than happy to exploit with their general pokiness). I realize that many of them are invasive plants all over the world (this one included) ...but that has nothing to do with the plant really. That's all on the people that move em around. Pulling honeysuckle, or winter creeper, or any of the numerous weeds that St. Louis is blessed with annually...I often remind myself that I'm not really irritated at the plant. Back on topic here, the Berkheya genus is comprised of around 75 species and of those, 71 can be found in South Africa. If you take a trip to South Africa, and pay any attention at all, I can almost promise you you'll come across at least one member of this genus. The genus typically has yellow ray florets with a few white ones and this particular odd standout B. purpurea. The purpurea obviously for purple. German botanist Ehrhart founded the genus in 1788 in honor of the Dutch botanist Jan le Francq van Berkhey (I for one applaud the trend of shorter names).
A cultivar of this plant. Something about this plant...I like it.
Description: A herbaceous perennial that forms a low rosette initially and then later sends up flower stalks. Leaves are up to 250 mm long with wavy, very spiny edges. Adaxial side of leaf is near shiny while the abaxial (under) is covered with long, soft, white hairs. One the flowering stem, smaller leaves are produced that get smaller further up the stem. Not only do they get smaller but they kind of cling to the stem as they go...almost making wings. Check out a few of the pictures here to really appreciate it. The flowering stem can be up to a meter tall (nice), flowers are typically purple but can occasionally be white. Each flower stays open for several days and a single plant can have up to 15 flowers open at a time, making for an impressive show really. Not bad for a weed. May or may not have a taproot, I've read some differing information. My guess is, IF rhizomatous at all, it is likely after being well established. I'd lean towards tap rooted, which is a difficult property to manage under propagation. Deep seed trays or frequent transplanting are necessary and soil/root disturbance is typically extremely frowned upon.
Photo Credit: Mike Peel (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Habitat/culture: From higher elevations in South Africa. Mountain regions, steeps, and grassy mountain slopes. Typically found at elevations around 1,500 to 3,000 m). Three thousand meters is, by the way, pretty up there. Needs good drainage! For sure. Cold hardiness is a bit under debate. I read a report of hardiness to zone 5. This may be a rare plant that endures not only the cold of a St. Louis winter but the summer heat as well (provided good drainage!). Then again, another site said hardy down to 23F. Hmmm. Needs full sun as well.
Propagation: Germinating a bit from just sowing on a mist bench with bottom heat. Other sites also mention no stratification requirement. Like many other alpine asters, I do wonder if it wouldn't benefit from a brief 2 to 3 week chilling for more uniform germination. Sowed these in a 50/50 blend of fine peat and sand. It can be a fine line to walk between keeping seedlings well watered and happy and addressing the demands of a dry loving tap rooted species as it is establishing and moves to maturity. All part of the adventure :).
Enjoy.
