Dorotheanthus bellidiformis

Dorotheanthus bellidiformis seeds, Bokbaaivygie, Livingstone daisy and Buck Bay vygie

Dorotheanthus bellidiformis is herbaceous species of plants which have now been changed to Cleretum belidiforme. The plant has other common names such as Bokbaaivygie, Livingstone daisy and Buck Bay vygie. The synonyms include Dorotheanthus bellidiformis, Mesembryanthemum criniflorum and Dorotheanthus ulularis. Livingstone daisy is a plant species of the flowering group in Aizoaceae family and Creretum genus. The original habitat of this species can be traced back to Cape Peninsula in South Africa.

Cleretum belidiforme is a perennial herbaceous plant growing up to a height of 15-20 cm. It has numerous spreading branches forming a low ground cover. The leaves are spoon-shaped, green or maroon-tinted in colour. The leaves surface is bladder like to help in water storage. The flowers are upright, leaning, showy and the colours vary from pink, orange, red, white and yellow, growing up to 25mm long. The fruits are capsule like when they ripe and contain membranes that hang downwards during wet weather. It is flatted, hard, dry and consists of five compartments. The plants do well in temperate areas and must be grown as a half-hardy all year round. The plant can also lend itself to a mass planting.

Cleretum belidiforme is mainly planted as an ornamental plant due to its iridescent and many-petals and daisy-like flowers in white, yellow, orange and crimson shades. The plant has been one of the most wildflower exports for South Africa and is now grown worldwide due to its range of colour combination and shiny blooms.