Description
Berkheya herbacea. Thistle-like, tufted perennial up to 40cm, re-sprouting from a woody rootstock. Basal rosette of lance-shaped leaves, hairless above and white-felted beneath, margins prickly-toothed. Bears several radiate yellow flowerheads on leafy stalks; inner volucal bracts have broad, horny margins. Sowing: Asteraceae seeds often germinate better in response to smoke treatment. Only mature, plump and fully formed seeds should be used. Smoke seed trays after sowing or soak seed in aqueous smoke extract for 24 hours. Sow seeds in a sandy, well drained soil. Sow seeds in autumn. Locality: Paarl. Harvest: April 2023
