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Crimson Starflower

Flower type: Biennial (Stores water in its leaves)

This short flower grows up to 1 inch (3 cm) tall. Its emerald stems grow in bunches of 6 and are wispy with a curved tip, and the huge, moss green leaves are 6 pointed with toothed edges. The leaves alternate on the stem from the base up to about halfway.

Two small flowers sit at the end of the stem. The flowers are 5 cm (2.0 inches) wide, with solid intense red petals and a copper central disk. The flower head is an uncoordinated mess of 48 petals. They detach easily.

It has a delicate scent that smells like a newborn baby, and it has excessive amounts of pollen; it does not cause many allergic reactions. It is pollinated by insects and is particularly attractive to butterflies.

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