Crops Rain daisy (Dimorphotheca pluvialis)

The common name (rain daisy) of the species Dimorphotheca pluvialisrelates to its reputation as a 'weather prophet', since the flowers tend to close, or remain closed, in the absence of sunshine. It is also sometimes known as Cape marigold, which indicates the area of origin: in common with some other related species, it is often grown in parks and gardens as an ornamental. Interest in the potential of the plant in agriculture derives from the discovery that the seed oil contains over 60 percent of dimorphecolic acid, an unusually-linked hydroxy fatty acid, with possible applications in the manufacture of urethane resins, paints, varnishes, lubricants, and cosmetics. The chemical structure of dimorphecolic acid is such that it is more highly reactive than many other fatty acids; care must be taken during the oil extraction and early processing stages in order to minimise undesirable reactions. Breeding and development work, including industrial investigations, are being undertaken in several European countries, particularly in the Netherlands.

This entry forms part of the publication Crops for Industry and Energy in Europe

References:

Chisholm, C J (Ed) (1994) Towards a UK Research Strategy for Alternative Crops. Silsoe: Silsoe Research Institute.

Perry, F (1972) Flowers of the World. London: Hamlyn Press.

Industrial Crops and Products. Amsterdam: Elsevier Science B V

Relevant EC funded projects:
AIR-1817