shieldingia

Shieldingia is a genus of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae, native to South America. The genus was named in honor of the American botanist Asa Gray, who was a pioneer in the study of South American flora. Shieldingia is characterized by its distinctive, shield-shaped leaves and yellow, daisy-like flowers. The genus includes two recognized species: Shieldingia argentea and Shieldingia grandiflora.

Shieldingia argentea, commonly known as the silver shield plant, is native to the Andes mountains of Peru and Bolivia. It is a perennial herb that grows up to 1.5 meters tall. Its leaves are silver-green and have a distinctive shield shape, while its flowers are yellow and arranged in a daisy-like pattern.

Shieldingia grandiflora, on the other hand, is native to the eastern slopes of the Andes in Bolivia. It is also a perennial herb, but it grows taller, reaching up to 2 meters in height. Its leaves are larger and more ovate than those of S. argentea, and its flowers are also larger and more showy.

Both species of Shieldingia are popular in horticulture due to their attractive foliage and flowers. They are often grown in gardens and rockeries for their ornamental value. However, they require well-drained soil and partial shade to thrive. Shieldingia is also used in traditional medicine in South America, where it is believed to have various medicinal properties.