Osmitopsis asteriscoides

Family: Asteraceae

swamp daisy, mountain daisy, bellis (Eng.); bels, belskruie, belsbos, belsebos, belsbossie, belsebossie (Afr.)

INTRODUCTION

Hikers are always charmed by the bright white flowers and the aromatic velvet camphor-scented leaves.

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT

Swamp daisies grow on sandstone soil from the Cape Peninsula to the Riviersonderend Mountains. As the name indicates, they prefer the swamps, so they are found in the wetlands of the Rooiels Reserve, on the small holdings and in our mountains near streams.

REACTION TO FIRE.

After a fynbos fire, the Osmitopsis asteriscoides plants resprout, or new plants grow from seeds.

They flower from spring to early summer and plants can get up to two metres tall, reaching above the hikers.

WHY CALL IT “BELSKRUIE”?

The Afrikaans common name belskruie is derived from Bellis Perennis, a name commonly used for the European daisy. “Kruie” refers to the aromatic herbal leaves.

USES

A brandy infused with an extract of the aromatic leaves in the old days, was called "belsbrandewyn" – bels brandy – not to be confused with Bell’s whiskey. This was used for all sorts of ailments, like coughs, hoarseness, chest complaints, stomachache, influenza, fevers and body pains.

The velvety leaves were also be brewed and the teas used for the same ailments.

A volatile oil rich in eucalyptol and camphor has been extracted from the leaves and are used for home remedies.

But the bottom line is – rather go to the doctor.

Status: Least Concern.

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