Gerbera species belong to the family Asteraceae and the genus
comprises approximately 30 species whose native distribution
extends to Africa, Madagascar, tropical Asia and South America
(Hansen, 1985; Bremer, 1994). Gerbera jamesonii is a perennial
herb with deeply lobed leaves covered with silky hairs arising
from a crown. The striking inflorescence is borne on a long stalk
and the outermost petals (ray florets)may be cream, red, orange or
pink, while the central flowers (disc florets) are cream (Hind,
1992).