Wildflower series - Bachelor's buttons
Gomphrena celosioides, aka Bachelor's buttons is not native to South Africa and it is considered to be a weed, aka. pioneer plant - one that grows in disturbed soil although I found this growing high on the hillside where the soil hasn't been disturbed much. They are originally from South America. Many South American plants have made new homes in Africa and some of them have become invasive because aspects of their ecosystem which kept the plant from growing too profusely are absent in their new environment. They grow so well because the climate and geology are also similar to their places of origin. The continents of Africa and South America were once joined and share very similar geology, making the soils very similar and ideal for plants to adapt to.
It's Afrikaans name is mierbossie which means Little ant bush and it refers to the fact that ants collect and distribute the seeds of this plant. I'm not sure how that fluff ended up on the plant and I only noticed it as I was editing the picture. It is considered to be a medicinal plant in its native environment and analysis has shown that it has antiseptic properties but I am not aware that it is used in local folk medicine. It would be interesting to learn more about this plant in these times of antibiotic-resistant bacteria
This is an interesting plant! Are those little hairs all around the flower? (apart from the fluff)
There are little hairs all around the edges of the leaves but not many in the actual flower
Very interesting flower!
Yes, and the curative - it's just fine!
Nature itself helps us!
I was surprised when I read about this one, it just looks like one of many pest plants
We still do not know much about nature!
Previously, old people had more experience.
They knew a lot about plants, they could know by their signs what the weather would be like.
It's amazing in native countries plants are ideal and have their purpose in their own little eco system. But remove them and place them some where else they become a pest. Nice photo and article
Thank you!
It's amazing that you gathered so much of information related to your image. its rarely found.
It's the first time I see this kind of flower. The leaves look hairy which is kinda weird but that's the beauty of nature I guess. Nice shot buddy!
Thank you
Don’t think I have ever seen a white gomphrena. Most unusual to me as the ones here are generally a bright purple. Could it be related to the clover family? 🐓🐓
Yes they are, also to cornflowers
I didn’t know that. Very cool. 🐓🐓
@nikv It is understood that it is a weed, cactus tree, but its white flower looks very nice, the less we talk about flowers, the flower is natural resources, the main source of beauty is the flower, the purity of the innocent mind, the flowers, That flower can not kill the person, he can kill people, flowers around our house, office, school, college, all the beauty enhances the place, do you think ????