Magic Mirror
by Shirley Mangini
Title
Magic Mirror
Artist
Shirley Mangini
Medium
Photograph - Photograph
Description
Magic Mirror by Shirley Mangini
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In South Africa, a Scotsman by the name of Robert Jameson discovered this flower. Although it was discovered in 1884, it wasn’t until nearly 40 years later that this flower was cultivated. The gerbera daisy was named after Traugott Gerber, a German botanist.
Other names for this flower include: African Daisy, Barberton Daisy and Transvaal Daisy. It is easy to understand the names African Daisy (because it’s native to Africa) and Barberton Daisy (because it was first discovered near Barberton.) However, the third name, Transvaal Daisy may require some explaining for those who are not familiar with South African history and geography. Barberton is located to the East of Pretoria (the capital), close to Mozambique. The Vaal River runs through that area and the area North of the Vaal is known as the Transvaal (across the Vaal).
J.D. Hooker was the first to scientifically identify the flower in 1889. He refered to it as Gerbera Jamesonii. Other species are found in South America and tropical Asia. This plant is definately a fan of warm weather! England began cultivating the plant some time around the 1890s and North America took another 30 years to join the trend.
In the United States, California and Florida produce the most amount of these flowers compared to the rest of the states. Not only are these flowers popular as cut flowers, but garden varieties are also gaining in popularity. You cannot deny they intense color they they bring to your garden and they can survive in very hot conditions just as long as they have enough water.
Uploaded
February 4th, 2014
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