Plants of the Week

Roridula dentata

Common names: flycatcher bush, bug plant, fly bush (Eng.); vliëebos (Afr.)

Family: Roridulaceae

Roridula dentata is a tentacle-leaved shrub that has a unique symbiotic relationship with the assassin bug, Pameridea marlothii. Although commonly known...

03 / 09 / 2007 | C Cowell | Kirstenbosch NBG

Typha capensis

Common names: bulrush ( Eng.); papkuil, matjiesriet (Afr.); ibhuma (Zulu, Swazi); ingcongolo (Xhosa); motsitla (Sesotho)

Family: Typhaceae

Typha capensis is synonymous with most large as well as small freshwater bodies. These perennial, leafy aquatic plants with their distinctive velvety-brown...

27 / 08 / 2007 | Werner Voigt | Harold Porter NBG

Acmadenia macropetala

Common names: large-petal acmadenia

Family: Rutaceae

...

27 / 08 / 2007 | Norma Jodamus | Kirstenbosch NBG

Pelargonium inquinans

Common names: scarlet pelargonium ( Eng. ); wildemalva (Afr.), ibhosisi (Xho.)

Family: Geraniaceae

Pelargonium inquinans with its striking flowers will bring colour to your garden throughout the year....

20 / 08 / 2007 | Trevor Adams | Kirstenbosch NBG

Diospyros mespiliformis

Common names: African ebony, jackal-berry (Eng.); jakkalsbessie (Afr.); Musuma (Tshivenda); Mgula (Tsonga)

Family: Ebenaceae

Diospyros mespiliformis has a fantastic mutualism and symbiotic network with many living organisms, from human beings to small insects. There is a complex...

20 / 08 / 2007 | Thompson T Mutshinyalo | Walter Sisulu NBG

Struthiola argentea

Common names: roemenaggie, aandgonna, slapgonna, slapaand (Afr.)

Family: Thymelaeaceae

Struthiola argentea is a slender sun-loving shrublet with yellow to reddish-orange flowers. It is dramatic when massed, especially if planted close to...

13 / 08 / 2007 | Phakamani Xaba | Kirstenbosch NBG

Selago canescens

Common names: canescent selago, bitter bush ( Eng. ); blouaarbossie (Afr.)

Family: Scrophulariaceae

Selago canescens bursts into flower in early spring when most plants in the garden are still recovering after the cold winter. An added attraction is the...

13 / 08 / 2007 | Liesl Van der Walt | Kirstenbosch NBG

Brunia stokoei

See Berzelia stokoei...

06 / 08 / 2007 | | Kirstenbosch NBG

Berzelia stokoei

Common names: red kolkol (Eng.); rooistompie (Afr.)

Family: Bruniaceae

The striking red flowers of Berzelia stokoei are a sight to behold when walking in the tranquil mountains of the Overberg region. This plant was previously...

06 / 08 / 2007 | Berenice Carolus | Harold Porter NBG

Aloe speciosa

Common names: tilt-head aloe (Eng.); spaansaalwyn, slaphoringaalwyn (Afr.); ikhala (Xhosa)

Family: Asphodelaceae

Aloe speciosa is a handsome plant having decorative blue-green leaves with deep pink to pale red, serrated leaf margins, and dense cylindrical flower...

06 / 08 / 2007 | Lusindiso Xulubana | Kirstenbosch NBG

Leucospermum reflexum

Common names: var. reflexum : rocket pincushion, sky-rocket pincushion (Eng. ); perdekop (Afr.). var. luteum : yellow rocket pincushion (Eng.); geel perdekop (Afr

Family: Proteaceae

A fireworks display in your garden during the day time is quite possible if you plant the magnificent rocket pincushions! These lovely, tall, upright pincushion...

30 / 07 / 2007 | Jane Forrester | Harold Porter NBG

Coleonema calycinum

Common names: confetti bush, broom buchu (Eng.); boegoe (Afr.)

Family: Rutaceae

...

30 / 07 / 2007 | Norma Jodamus | Kirstenbosch NBG

Phygelius aequalis

Common names: river bell, wild fuchsia (Eng.); foksia, rivierklokkie (Afr.); metsi-matso (Southern Sotho)

Family: Scrophulariaceae

A beautiful, lush, fast-growing, evergreen perennial, with spikes of showy trumpet-shaped, red or yellow flowers and a long blooming season....

23 / 07 / 2007 | Karen Wall | Kirstenbosch NBG

Cyrtanthus herrei

Common names: Richtersveld cyrtanthus

Family: Amaryllidaceae

This striking bulb comes from arid parts of southern Africa....

23 / 07 / 2007 | Ian Oliver | Karoo Desert NBG

Pelargonium magenteum

Common names: magenta-flowered pelargonium

Family: Geraniaceae

With its stunning dispay of usually magenta/pink flowers in spring, Pelargonium magenteum is ideal for the water-wise garden....

16 / 07 / 2007 | Roger Oliver | Karoo Desert NBG

Leucadendron xanthoconus

Common names: sickle-leaf conebush ( Eng. ); blinkblaartolbos (Afr.)

Family: Proteaceae

A versatile fynbos shrub, with a silvery shine to its foliage, Leucadendron xanthoconus deserves a second glance....

16 / 07 / 2007 | Monique Twine | Kirstenbosch NBG

Cephalophyllum alstonii

Common names: rankvygie (Afr.)

Family: Aizoaceae

Cephallophyllum alstonii is a creeping perennial succulent, ideal as a ground cover, or as a pot plant on a patio. The spectacular, brightly coloured...

09 / 07 / 2007 | Shireen Harris | Kirstenbosch NBG

Bersama lucens

Common names: glossy white ash (Eng.); blinkblaarwitessenhout (Afr.); isindiyandiya (Xhosa); undiyaza (Zulu)

Family: Melianthaceae

Bersama lucens is not a common garden plant, rather a specialist specimen that still needs to be promoted in the garden fraternity....

09 / 07 / 2007 | Giles Mbambezeli | Kirstenbosch NBG

Clivia robusta

Common names: swamp bush lily, swamp clivia

Family: Amaryllidaceae

Clivia robusta is probably one of the tallest members of the genus as it can grow to a height of 1.6 m in ideal conditions. It is a strong grower and...

02 / 07 / 2007 | John Winter | Kirstenbosch NBG

Aloe greatheadii var. davyana

Common names: spotted aloe (Eng.); Transvaalaalwyn, grasaalwyn (Afr.); kgopane (Tswana)

Family: Asphodelaceae

Aloe greatheadii var. davyana is a drab and uninteresting plant, but when it flowers in winter, it is spectacular. It is a plant that will...

02 / 07 / 2007 | Jean Meyer | National Herbarium Pretoria

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