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Silver Blaze

Flower type: Annual (Stores water in the thickened base of its stem)

This average-sized flower grows up to 11 inches (28 cm) tall. Its orange stems grow from the base of the plant in bunches of 7 and are very thin and straight, and split into many branching stems at the base, and the large, silver leaves are very narrow and elongated with ripped edges. Many leaves grow along the entire length of the stem.

Dozens of giant flowers grow in a bunch at the end of the stem. The flowers are 5 cm (2.0 inches) wide, with petals that are silver at the sides and orange at the center. The flower head is an uncoordinated mess of 55 petals. They are hardy.

It has no scent, and it has a modest amount of pollen; it can cause allergic reactions. It is a self-pollinator, but is also visited by one species of insect in particular.

It is suitable for making baskets and the like
It is almost impossible to grow indoors.
The colour changes depends on whether the soil is acidic or alkaline.