Ursinia cakelifolia is an annual that completes its lifespan in less than a year. In this period of about six months it germinates, grows, flowers, seeds and dies. This group of plants has evolved to survive in unforgiving environments where only part of the year has conditions suitable for growth. During this favourable season they must take advantage of short and variable periods of rain in an arid environment. Their strategy is therefore to grow fast and set seed while they can, and to survive the inhospitable part of the year as dormant seeds. In order to take advantage of the abundant, but short-lived resources, annuals must be able to germinate fast, and grow and produce flowers quickly and to produce copious amounts of seeds. This species is from a semi-arid to arid, winter-rainfall area. It germinates with the first rains in autumn, grows during winter and flowers in late winter and spring. The seeds escape the dry, hot summers through dormancy until conditions become favourable for germination and growth return.

Ursinia cakelifolia exhibits the phenomenon of heterodiaspory. This is the production of two or more morphologically distinct types of diaspores (seeds) by an individual plant. Heterosporic diaspores may differ in their position on the plant, the presence or absence of a pappus, striations, a waxy coat, stickiness, in their size, weight, colour and shape. Other aspects that differ may include, embryo size, pericarp thickness, seedling size, seedling vigour and the presence of chasmogamous vs cleistogamous flowers. Heterodiaspory in plants is often linked with physiological polymorphism, i.e. differences in some germination requirements and growth characteristics. For instance, the winged seeds of some Asteraceae have no dormancy, while unwinged seed may be dormant. Heterodiaspory typically occurs in annuals species of variable, unpredictable environments such as frequently disturbed habitats and arid and semi-arid environments. This ability (heterodiaspory) greatly enhances the ability of a species to survive in a highly variable environment and is a common feature in open arid vegetation. In U. cakelifolia two achene types (seeds) are present: a white one with a less developed pericarp and black achene with a more advanced pericarp. These achenes share the same capitulum. Research thus far indicates poor germination percentages with black achene. For the white achenes a higher germination percentage has been recorded under favourable conditions. The seeds also have a tuft of silky hairs at the other end, which allows them to attach to a rough surface, such as sand.

In the Namaqualand-region, one of the most floral-rich areas in South Africa, this species contributes to uncluttered vistas of colour as tolerant, pioneer species in both intact and old fields (once ploughed and then abandoned). 

Typical features of all the ursinias are the single flowers on stems that nod in bud, the several rows of bracts with rounded papery tips that surround the base of the flower head and the seed or fruit that is topped with prominent, white, spreading petal-like scales. The pappus acts like a parachute and will aid dispersal as it carries seed in the wind.

Bees are the main pollinators, visiting the flowers for their small amounts of nectar. These pollinators will only visit flowerheads when the temperature exceeds 17°C.