Family: Asteraceae
Common name: Sea daisy, Beach sunflower, Beach daisy, Sea ox-eye
Sea Daisy is a resilient, salt-tolerant plant found in the coastal regions of tropical and subtropical countries of Asia, Africa, and South America. The flowers are bright yellow and symmetrical, like small daisies, flowering in abundance during warmer months.
Plant Characteristics
Sea daisy plants can grow on the ground, scramble on surrounding vegetation, or climb on trees if they get the right support.
The height can therefore vary between 2 meters to 6 meters depending on the support they get. Roots are shallow but strong, allowing the plant to anchor itself well in loose soil and windy areas.
The stem is thick and well-branched; the older stems have a woody texture and brown color. It is also flexible enough to climb on trees and bend down without snapping in the strong winds.
When the plant manages to climb on trees, it can have long stems flowing down from the top, ending in yellow flowers at the tip of the stem.
Leaves of the Sea daisy are roughly oval in shape with smooth to slightly serrated margins. They are 8-10 cm long, light to grayish-green in color with a slightly leathery texture to help them conserve water, and also to tolerate high levels of salt in the soil and water.
The bright, cheerful, yellow flowers are typical of the Asteraceae, the Sunflower or Daisy family. As the name suggests, the flowers are small, beautiful, daisy-like, about 3-4 cm in diameter. The center has a circle of darker-colored disc florets, surrounded by the bright yellow ray florets or petals.
Flowers are produced at the tip of the stem in small clusters during spring and summer attracting bees, butterflies, and other pollinators in plenty.
Once pollinated, the Sea daisy plants produce small, dry fruits that have a single seed with a tuft of hair that helps in wind dispersal over long distances.
Growing Tips
Sea Daisies grow in abundance near beaches along coastal areas, and prefer well-drained, sandy soil. They can grow in full or partial sunlight under large trees. These plants are very sturdy and resilient, tolerant of salinity in the soil and strong winds laden with salt.
Since they grow quickly covering the soil, they can prevent erosion of soil to a small extent. But the roots are not too strong to resist waves beating against them.
Sea Daisies are wild plants that do not need watering, fertilization, pruning, or pesticide application.
They are one of the most commonly seen plants on beaches, along with Ipomoea pes-caprae or Beach morning glory, both very tolerant of salinity.
Uses of Sea Daisies
These plants were used traditionally in the treatment of headaches, stomach pain, malaria, dysentery, ulcers, cuts, wounds, sores, cough, and tooth pain. However, these are based on traditional knowledge passed on orally. Always consult an expert healthcare professional before consuming any part of the plant.
Leaves and young shoots of the plant can be cooked and eaten. These leaves were also used for wrapping food items. A soothing tea can be made from the leaves of the Sea daisy plant.
They are eaten by grazing animals, and are also given as fodder for rabbits and goats.
Sea Daisy plants play a crucial role in the coastal ecosystem since they help stabilize the topsoil preventing erosion, while also providing shade and shelter for small animals that nest under its spreading branches.
Propagation
Propagation is through seeds and stem cuttings.
Small cuttings with nodes taken from mature plants can be planted in loose, well-draining soil to take roots. Mature, dried seeds can germinate quickly in soil in 2-3 weeks.
Photographed at: Chethy Beach, Alleppey, Kerala
