Subshrub to 60 cm tall, hairy. Stems erect, branched. Leaves ovate to obovate, to 3 cm long, opposite, margins more or less entire, sessile. Capitula solitary, to 4 cm across; summer. Ray florets light blue. Disk florets yellow. Achenes glabrous.

S Africa

Several cultivars are listed, including 'Alba', 'Compacta', 'Felicity', 'Goliath' and 'Silver Chain'. A variegated sport is also offered.

 

F. amoena (Sch. Bip.) Levyns, from S Africa is a herb to 50 cm tall with ciliate or spiny entire leaves, capitula to 4 cm across in groups of 1-6, and white to lilac ray florets [Aster pappei Harv.].

F. aethiopica (Burm. f.) Adams &Salt from S Africa is a subshrub to 60 cm tall with glabrous entire leaves, solitary capitula to 3 cm across and blue ray florets.

Source: Lawson, L.; Spencer, R. (2002). Dahlia. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 4. Flowering plants. Dicotyledons. Part 3. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.