The Common Gazania (Bruingousblom in Afrikaans with the scientific name Gazania krebsiana subspecies, serrulata), is a ground-hugging grassland species and one of the first plants to flower in early spring. They appear in profusion as small clumps of yellow or white flowers between low grass tussocks or burnt stubble or single leafless flowers seemingly stuck into the soil. Flowering lasts for only a few weeks after the first rains. The buttercup rays in the flower often occur in forms having dark spots at the base. The showy flowers open only in strong sunlight, closing with fading light and re-opening the following day. This plant is perennial and grows from a woody rootstock. The leaves are tufted and linear in shape, white-felted with a green midvein on the underside and exuding a milky latex when damaged. There are some 19 species of Gazania that are exclusively African and predominantly South African - only Gazania krebsiana ventures northwards from the Highveld into Tanzania.

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