The Gerbera, commonly known as the Gerbera Daisy, Transvaal Daisy, or African Daisy, is a widely used ornamental plant. This genus is celebrated for its unusually large and vibrant blooms, which come in nearly every color except true blue. Its popularity extends across floristry and home gardening, making it a staple of the international cut flower market. This article explores the Gerbera’s scientific identity, its origins, and the practices that drive its commercial success.
Botanical Classification and Physical Structure
The Gerbera belongs to the large Asteraceae family, commonly known as the daisy or sunflower family. This classification places it among plants whose “flowers” are complex, dense structures called capitula, or flower heads. The genus is divided into sections, with most modern commercial varieties being hybrids derived from the South African species Gerbera jamesonii.
What appears to be a single bloom is an inflorescence composed of numerous small, individual flowers, known as florets, clustered together. The showy outer ring consists of ray florets, which are the strap-shaped structures that function visually as petals. These marginal flowers are typically female and are responsible for the plant’s wide array of colors.
The center, or “eye,” of the bloom is made up of dense disk florets, which are the tiny, often darker, reproductive flowers. Many modern hybrid cultivars also feature an intermediate ring of trans florets, creating a textured or crested appearance between the ray and disk sections. The diameter of the flower head varies from small Germini types (2 to 3 inches) to standard blooms reaching 5 inches across, providing diverse options for florists.
Native Range and Historical Discovery
The Gerbera genus is native to tropical and subtropical regions globally, with species found in South America, Asia, and Africa. However, the most commercially significant species, Gerbera jamesonii, originated in South Africa. This species is the source of the common names Transvaal Daisy and Barberton Daisy, referring to the regions where it grows wild.
Western botanists encountered the plant in the late 19th century, with its discovery credited to the Scotsman Robert Jameson in 1884. The species was formally described in 1889 by J.D. Hooker, who named the species jamesonii after its discoverer. The genus name, Gerbera, honors the German botanist and physician Traugott Gerber from the 18th century.
Introduction to cultivation in the United Kingdom sparked its global spread and subsequent hybridization efforts. Breeders quickly developed the first hybrid varieties, leading to the wide range of colors and forms seen today.
Cultivation and Commercial Significance
Gerbera thrive in conditions that mimic their native warm habitats, preferring full sun exposure and temperatures between 45°F and 75°F. When grown as a garden plant or houseplant, they require a well-drained, porous soil mix rich in organic matter. Proper watering is paramount, as the plants are susceptible to crown rot if the central rosette is kept too wet.
In commercial settings, Gerbera is one of the world’s most popular cut flowers, ranking fifth globally behind roses and carnations. Growers use controlled environments like greenhouses to maintain ideal conditions year-round. This controlled agriculture allows for precise management of temperature and humidity, which helps prevent diseases like powdery mildew and ensures a consistent supply.
The flower’s commercial success is attributed to its firm, straight stems, vibrant colors, and exceptional vase life. For harvesting, the flower is usually plucked when the outer two rows of disk florets are perpendicular to the stalk, indicating peak maturity. Because the stems are hollow and prone to bacterial clogging, post-harvest handling requires strict sanitation and often involves soaking in specialized solutions for hydration.
The ease of hybridization permits breeders to continually introduce new colors, sizes, and petal arrangements to meet market demand. The development of specialized cultivars, including miniature Germinis and double-flowered types, ensures the Gerbera remains a substantial economic driver in the global floriculture industry.