Melianthus comosus

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Melianthus comosus Vahl

Family: Melianthaceae

Common names: crown honeyflower (Eng); kruidjie-roer-my -nie (Afr.)

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Introduction

Melianthus comosus is an ideal plant for a low-maintenance, waterwise garden, but it does need to be pruned to keep it neat and to encourage new growth. It can also be planted in the informal shrub border and makes a good accent at the side of a pond. It prefers light, well-drained, good garden soil.

Melianthus comosus

Description

Melianthus comosus is an attractive multi-stemmed shrub; all parts of the plant produce a strong, unpleasant smell when bruised, hence the Afrikaans name meaning 'touch-me-not-herb'. The large, grey-green, serrated leaves are clustered towards the tips of the branches. The small, nectar-rich bird-pollinated flowers, borne in a short cluster, form four-winged bladdery capsules, often as decorative as the flowers.

Distribution and habitat

Distribution description

Melianthus comosus has a wide distribution, mainly in Namibia and the dry interior of South Africa, extending across seven of the nine South African provinces: North-West, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Free State, Northern Cape, Western Cape, and Eastern Cape. It also occurs in Lesotho.

Derivation of name and historical aspects

History

Melianthus comes from the Greek word meli, meaning 'honey' and anthos, 'flower', meaning that it has abundant nectar. Comosus means 'with a tuft of hair or leaves'. There are six species of Melianthus, all found in South Africa. Melianthus major is also a very attractive plant, cultivated in gardens internationally as a foliage and accent plant.

Flowers and seedpods developing

Ecology

The brightly coloured red flowers produce an abundance of nectar that attracts sunbirds, Cape white eyes, bees and butterflies.

Uses

Use

Leaf poultices and leaf decoctions are widely used to treat septic wounds, sores, bruises, backache and rheumatic joints. It is a traditional remedy for snakebite. When placing traps for jackals and other wild animals, branches of Melianthus comosus are used to wipe the ground to remove the smell of humans.

Growing Melianthus comosus

Grow

Melianthus comosus is easily propagated from seed, which is large, black and easy to handle. When the seed is ripe, sow it in autumn (March - May), in deep seed trays in a medium of compost only. When sowing seed in the colder months, germination may take about four weeks. Cover the seeds, keep them moist, leave the seedlings in the trays until the fourth leaf stage. Transplant into a medium of 2 parts compost and 2 parts loam. It is important in cold areas to keep the pots warm and sheltered during winter.

Snails that eat the leaves of the young seedlings are the only known pests of this plant.

References

Hyam, R. & Pankhurst, R. 1995. Plants and their names: A Concise Dictionary, Oxford University Press
Shearing, D. 1994. Karoo-Veldblomgids van Suid- Afrika 6, Nasionale Boekdrukkers
Van Wyk, B.E., Van Oudtshoorn, B. & Gericke, N. 1997.Medicinal Plants of South Africa, Briza Publications
Van Wyk, B.E.& Gericke, N. 2000.People`s plants: A Guide to Useful Plants of Southern Africa, Briza Publications

Credits

Shireen Harris
Free State National Botanical Garden
September 2004

Plant Attributes:

Plant Type: Shrub

SA Distribution: Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, North West, Northern Cape, Western Cape

Soil type:

Flowering season:

PH:

Flower colour: Red

Aspect:

Gardening skill:

Special Features:

Attracts birds

Attracts butterflies

Drought resistant

Medical plant

Feeds honeybees

Melianthus comosus