[4] It is known elsewhere as an introduced species, such as South Africa, Australia, Taiwan, Slovakia, and Cuba.

They are usually yellow in the wild, but cultivars have been bred to bear whitish,[7] reddish, or orange florets.

[6] The center of the head is filled with many red, yellowish,[4] or purplish[7] disc florets.

[1][4] This species grows in several types of coastal habitat, sometimes directly on the beach.

It tolerates a moderately saline environment, but not an excessive amount of salt spray or inundation.

It is planted on beaches, where it forms a sand-binding groundcover that prevents erosion and stabilizes dunes.