Argyranthemum frutescens

Strauchmargerite ( Argyranthemum frutescens )

The Strauchmargerite ( Argyranthemum frutescens ), also Bushy daisy is native to the Canary Islands. It belongs to the genus argyranthemum. A synonym is Chrysanthemum frutescens L. is a perennial, shrubby to halbstrauchig growing plant, but it is not hardy in Central Europe.

The true nature is but rarely available in the flower trade. Very common, however, are intersections with other argyranthemum species. The form with stems is achieved by cutting off the lower shoots.

Description

These are shrubs, outside the Canaries to perennial subshrubs, reach the wild heights between 20 and 80 cm. The highly branched plant often grows globular - bushy with ascending to erect branches.

The alternate, more or less fleshy, blue-green leaves are oval in outline oval to lanceolate, 1-8 cm long and 4-6 cm wide. You are deep pinnatisect with serrated leaflets that are often tricuspid at the end.

The inflorescences are loose shield grapes from four to 30 flowers. The approximately 8 mm long in most subspecies latches of the latch flowers are pure white, female, and form fertile achenes, which are triangular winged up like a horn. The achenes of yellow tubular flowers are sterile and only one wing. The pappus is always irregularly shaped crown.

Distribution and habitat requirements

Like the other types of argyranthemum comes the Strauchmargerite of the Canary Islands. In El Hierro, La Gomera, Tenerife and Gran Canaria, it is common in the coastal regions, on La Palma very rare. Overall, the most common species of the genus in the Canaries.

The plant often grows in Sukkulentengebüschen on well drained, poor soil in full sun, like near the coast at altitudes up to 700 meters. For this reason, they run wild in warmer areas of the world easily.

Subspecies

The species is very variable. For this reason, several subspecies and varieties have been described. The subspecies are:

  • Ssp. frutescens with 1-4 cm long, mostly barren leaves and 6-12 mm wide flower heads. On coastal rocks in the north of Gran Canaria and Tenerife.
  • Ssp. succulentum with highly succulent, at the tip obtuse leaves and 6-8 mm wide flower heads. On El Hierro and Tenerife.
  • Ssp. gracilescens with filiform lobes. In the south of Tenerife
  • Ssp. parviflorum with only 4-7 mm long tongues and 4-6 mm wide flower heads. On La Gomera and Tenerife.
  • Ssp. foeniculaceum with up to 15 mm long tongues. On La Gomera.
  • Ssp. also significantly canariae with succulent leaves and 12-20 mm wide flower heads. In the north of Gran Canaria.
  • Ssp. pumilum with 12-14 mm wide flower heads, at 500 m to 600 m above sea level on coastal rocks in the North of Gran Canaria.

Sources and further information

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