Berkheya

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. Of about 75 species, 71 can be found in South Africa. Most species have yellow ray florets, a few have white, and B. purpurea has light purple or mauve florets. B. purpurea is cultivated as an ornamental plant. Some Berkheya are known as weeds. The genus was named in honor of the Dutch scientist and artist Johannes le Francq van Berkhey. Berkheya are associated with a variety of weevils in the genus Larinus. The tephritid fruit fly Urophora agromyzella is also found on the plants. Species include: