Japanese name: オトンナ カペンシス Scientific name:Othonna capensis
[Overview]
An evergreen perennial found in its native range in dry, rocky places.
The stems are often tinged with purple, much branched, creeping along the ground, and often produce roots from the nodes.
The base of the stem becomes woody.
The leaves are alternate, about 1–2 cm long, fleshy and cylindrical.
The leaf tips are pointed and tinged with red.
The leaves turn red to purple in the cold season.
The flower heads are borne 1–2 at the stem tips, are yellow and about 1–1.5 cm across, opening in sunlight and closing when it clouds over.
The fruit is an achene with a pappus.
[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed, by cuttings, or by division.
It can overwinter outdoors in areas without frost.
It prefers a sunny, airy site with well-drained sandy soil.
Take care not to let it become too wet; for potted plants, water after the soil has dried from spring to autumn, and keep it even drier in winter.
For plants in the ground, rainfall is sufficient.
Fertilize sparingly; a small amount of liquid fertilizer in spring and autumn is enough.
Pests and diseases include scale insects and aphids.
