Berkheya is a genus of flowering plants in the aster family, Asteraceae, and the subfamily Carduoideae, the thistles. It is distributed in tropical Africa, especially in southern regions.[1] Of about 75 species, 71 can be found in South Africa.[2]
Most species have yellow ray florets, a few have white, and B. purpurea has light purple or mauve florets.[1]
B. purpurea is cultivated as an ornamental plant.[1] Some Berkheya are known as weeds.[3]
B. coddii is a well-known hyperaccumulator. Concentration of Ni as the leaves of this species may reach 7.6% DW Ni.
The genus was named in honor of the Dutch scientist and artist Johannes le Francq van Berkhey.[4]
Berkheya are associated with a variety of weevils in the genus Larinus. The tephritid fruit fly Urophora agromyzella is also found on the plants.[3]
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