Gerbera jamesonii
Gerbera jamesonii is a species of flowering plant in the genus "Gerbera" belonging to the basal Mutisieae tribe within the large Asteraceae (or Compositae) family. It is indigenous to South Eastern Africa and commonly known as the Barberton daisy, the Transvaal daisy, and as Barbertonse madeliefie or Rooigousblom in Afrikaans. It was the first species of Gerbera to be the subject of a scientific description, studied by J. D. Hooker in "Curtis's Botanical Magazine" in 1889. Etymology. The genus was named in honour of German botanist and medical doctor Traugott Gerber (1710 — 1743). The "Gerbera jamesonii" was  named in honour of Robert Jameson, who collected the plant near Barberton. The species epithet was proposed by the prominent South African botanist Harry Bolus, but first published by Richard Wills Adlam in 1888, so should be ascribed to him. Description. "Gerbera jamesonii" is a tufted perennial herb with the naked flowering scapes up to 75 cm high. Petiolate, deeply undulating or lobed leaves are 15–42 (up to 68) cm long and 4–14 cm wide, gathered in rosette. The plant produces spectacular flowers (capitula) of 4–5 cm in diameter with normally orange-red (rarely yellow, orange, white, pink) ray florets . It flowers from September to December, reproduces asexually. The seeds have a pappus of bristles. Distribution. "Gerbera jamesonii" is endemic to Mpumalanga, Limpopo and Eswatini. The plant is introduced into several countries of Latin America, Equatorial Africa and Southeast Asia. Ecology. The species grows from 500 to 1670 m above sea level on rocky slopes in woodland, usually in some shade or under bushes and trees. The flowers are pollinated by bees and other insects. The seeds are light and easily dispersed by wind. Uses. The species is the ancestor of all cultivated forms of Gerbera, or they originate from  the cross "Gerbera jamesonii" and "Gerbera viridifolia", originally made by R. I. Lynch in Cambridge, England about 1890. He named the hybrid as "Gerbera × cantebrigiensis", known today as "Gerbera x hybrida". Nowadays thousands of cultivars exist and they are the important article of trade belonging to the most important ornamental crops in the world together with rose, chrysanthemum, carnation, lily and tulip. The popular cultivars include "Sazou", "Sangria", "Rosalin", "Pink Elegance", "Tropic Blend", "Piton", "Winter Queen", "Savannah", "Primrose" and many others. They are propagated by tissue culture and by seeds. In culture. The flag and coat of arms of  the Province of Mpumalanga include a depiction of this flower.