The genus Cotula has ± 55 species which are found mainly in southern Africa, with some species occurring in Australia, Central to South America with 2 species endemic to the Tristan da Cunha islands. The name Cotula comes from the Greek kotule, meaning ‘small cup’, which could be referring to the receptacle of the flowerheads of species in this genus. They are commonly known as water buttons.

Cotula macroglossa is a South African endemic annual found in the Western Cape province. It forms a softly hairy plant to 10cm tall. The leaves lobes are linear and crowded below. The flower heads conspicuously radiate, solitary on elongate, yellow with blue or white rays, mauve below.