''Dymondia'' is a

genus Genus (; : genera ) is a taxonomic rank above species and below family (taxonomy), family as used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In bino ...

of flowering plants in the family

Asteraceae Asteraceae () is a large family (biology), family of flowering plants that consists of over 32,000 known species in over 1,900 genera within the Order (biology), order Asterales. The number of species in Asteraceae is rivaled only by the Orchi ...

. There is only one known species, ''Dymondia margaretae'',

endemic Endemism is the state of a species being found only in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also foun ...

to the

Cape Province The Province of the Cape of Good Hope (), commonly referred to as the Cape Province () and colloquially as The Cape (), was a province in the Union of South Africa and subsequently the Republic of South Africa. It encompassed the old Cape Co ...

region of

South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the Southern Africa, southernmost country in Africa. Its Provinces of South Africa, nine provinces are bounded to the south by of coastline that stretches along the Atlantic O ...

. Dymondia was first discovered and named after Margaret Elizabeth Dryden-Dymond, South African horticulturalist, botanical collector and teacher who worked at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden (1909-1952).

Cultivation

* Light: full sun, part shade * Habit: high, spreads to make a carpet like ground cover. Non-invasive, slow-growing. * Water: very drought tolerant. Regular watering is needed at higher temperatures and for six months after initia planting till plant is established. The deep roots act as water wells providing water to the plant as needed. The Dymondia carpet normally appears green/silver in color, but when roots are depleted and the plant needs water the leaves curl and their silver undersides are exposed to view. Water as needed in the silver colored areas to uncurl the leaves and return to green/silver color. * Cold hardiness: * Heat Tolerance: Does best under 100°F or 37°C with adequate watering. * Origin: Cape Province and coastal plains of South Africa * Soil: Very sandy – Soil mix of 40% vegetative matter, 30% red lava sand, and 30% river sand. Perlite can be added to the mix as needed and provides faster growing in flats and pots. Makes a flat, very drought tolerant ground cover and good lawn replacement in dry zones. Takes medium foot traffic and often called living cement. Safe and non-toxic for dogs and pets. Works well as a filler between flagstone, pavers, or stepping stones and other confined areas. Soil retention: Excellent for erosion control on slopes an hills due to the large diameter and deep root system.Succulents and More, Gerhard Bock, Silver Carpet (''Dymondia Margaretae'')
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References

Monotypic Asteraceae genera Endemic flora of the Cape Provinces Arctotideae {{Asteraceae-stub