Berkheya multijuga
Introduction
The roughness of the bright green leaves in a rosette formation makes the Berkheya multijuga irresistible to watch.
Description
Description
Berkheya multijuga is a perennial herb that grows up to 1.8 m tall. Leaves are mid green, rosetted, spreading, ± 400 × 150 mm, deeply serrated towards the midrib, margins overlapping and toothed, softly hairy above and cobwebby below, tip spiny, stem leaves almost wrapping around the stem. Flowerheads in a cluster of about 8 inflorescences at top of the stem, each flowerhead about 60-100 mm in diameter, with spiny bract tips and margins. Flowering is in mid to late summer (Dec. to Mar.).
Conservation Status
Status
In the Red List of South African Plants, Berkheya multijuga is assessed to be Least Concern (LC) which means no threats are currently posed to this species. Even with this status seeds of Berkheya multijuga have been collected and will be banked with the Millennium Seed Bank Partnership (MSBP) as an insurance, should anything happen to the existing populations.
Distribution and habitat
Distribution description
Berkheya multijuga is not endemic to South Africa, it also occurs in Lesotho. In South Africa it is distributed in KwaZulu-Natal, Free State and Eastern Cape. It grows in dense colonies on steep, damp, grassy slopes below rocky cliffs, at about 1 800-3 200 m altitude, in Drakensberg Grassland.
Derivation of name and historical aspects
History
Berkheya is a genus named after Dutch botanist Jan le Francq van Berkhey (1729-1812). The species name is derived from the tight or tangled formation of the clustered flowerheads, multijuga meaning ‘yoked many together’. Previously is was known as Stobaea multijuga (DC.). The genus Berkheya has about 75 species that occur in Africa, with about 71 species in southern Africa.
Ecology
Ecology
Berkheya multijuga is pollinated by bees and flies.
Uses
Use
Spiny berg thistle is an ornamental plant that can be displayed in gardens , planted in mixed beds and borders, rockeries or for screening. It is a drought-tolerant plant.
Growing Berkheya multijuga
Grow
To germinate seeds of Berkheya multijuga, press seeds gently into the soil and cover partially with soil, small seeds should not be covered at all. The soil must be kept moist, not wet, at temperatures of about 20 degrees Celsius. Germinated seedlings must be kept in cool temperatures, preferably in shady to sunny sites. Grow Berkheya multujuga in well-drained soil, in a sunny position.
References
- Bredenkamp, C. 2019. A flora of the Eastern Cape Province. Strelitzia 41. Volume 1. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria.
- Foden, W. & Potter, L. 2005. Berkheya multijuga (DC.) Roessler. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1. Accessed on 2022/06/163.
- Jelitto. Berkheya multijuga. https://www.jelitto.com/Seed/Perennials/BERKHEYA+multijuga+Portion+s.html. Accessed 16/06/22.
- Pooley, E. 1998. A field guide to wild flowers Kwazulu-Natal and the eastern region. Natal Flora Publications Trust, Durban.
- Shoot. Berkheya multijuga ‘Golden Spike’. https://www.shootgardening.co.uk/plant/berkheya-multijuga-golden-spike. Accessed 16/06/22
Credits
Sibahle Gumede
Millennium Seed Bank Partnership (Kwelera NBG)
July 2022
Acknowledgements: the author thanks sis Ndileka Jaxa for providing articles.
Plant Attributes:
Plant Type: Perennial
SA Distribution: Eastern Cape, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal
Soil type: Sandy, Loam
Flowering season: Early Summer, Late Summer
PH: Acid, Neutral
Flower colour: Yellow
Aspect: Full Sun, Morning Sun (Semi Shade), Afternoon Sun (Semi Shade)
Gardening skill: Average
Special Features:
Attracts butterflies
Drought resistant
Feeds honeybees
Horticultural zones
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