Gerbera species bear a large capitulum with striking, two-lipped ray florets in yellow, orange, white, pink or red colours. The capitulum, which has the appearance of a single flower, is actually composed of hundreds of individual flowers. The morphology of the flowers varies depending on their position in the capitulum. The flower heads can be as small as 7 cm (Gerbera mini 'Harley') in diameter or up to 12 cm (Gerbera ‘Golden Serena’).
Gerbera is very popular and widely used as a decorative garden plant or as cut flowers. The domesticated cultivars are mostly a result of a cross between Gerbera jamesonii and another South African species Gerbera viridifolia. The cross is known as Gerbera hybrida. Thousands of cultivars exist. They vary greatly in shape and size. Colours include white, yellow, orange, red, and pink. The centre of the flower is sometimes black. Often the same flower can have petals of several different colours.
Gerbera is also important commercially. It is the fifth most used cut flower in the world (after rose, carnation, chrysanthemum, and tulip). It is also used as a model organism in studying flower formation. Gerbera contains naturally occurring coumarin derivatives. Gerbera is a tender perennial plant. It is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds, but resistant to deer.
This post is part of the Nature Footsteps Floral Macros meme,
and also part of the Ruby Tuesday meme.
Lovely.
ReplyDeleteGerbera is a fine flower.
HAve a nice day.
http://www.starbear.no/mormor/2013/07/02/blomster-og-blomster/
Beautiful! :-)
ReplyDeletevery nice, i like the close-up...
ReplyDeleteNot a flower commonly seen over here, but it has a beautiful colour and structure. Great shots.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! I love the close-up.
ReplyDeleteThe color is stunning!
ReplyDeleteI love the way you have focused down into the centre of the blossom!!
ReplyDeleteIt has a lovely color and gets nice close up.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant, beautiful!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant Red Building
Delightful!
ReplyDelete