Plants of the Week

Serruria triternata

Common names: Tulbagh spiderhead, dill-leaf serruria (Eng.)

Family: Proteaceae

The Tulbagh spiderhead is a charming fynbos shrub suited to an informal indigenous garden. It is rather nondescript when not flowering but in spring time...

22 / 08 / 2011 | Louise Nurrish | Kirstenbosch NBG

Euryops muirii

Common names: limestone euryops (Eng.); strandharpuis (Afr.)

Family: Asteraceae

Euryops muirii is a very special species that is restricted to the limestone in and around Still Bay. It has a very limited distribution and occurs...

29 / 08 / 2011 | Ismail Ebrahim | CREW

Ozoroa obovata var. elliptica

Common names: broad-leaved resin tree (Eng.); breë blaarharpuisboom (Afr.)

Family: Anacardiaceae

The broad-leaved resin tree is a semi-deciduous to evergreen shrub or tree that is suitable for small gardens....

05 / 09 / 2011 | J K Baloyi | Pretoria NBG

Salvia namaensis

Common names: Nama sage (Eng.)

Family: Lamiaceae

The petite pretty flowers and water-wise, hardy nature of Salvia namaensis will add herbaceous charm to any garden....

05 / 09 / 2011 | Monique Mcquillan | Kirstenbosch NBG

Senegalia nigrescens

Common names: knob thorn (Eng.); knoppiesdoring (Afr.); muunga (Tshivenda); mooka (Sepedi); umKhaya (Zulu)

Family: Fabaceae

Senegalia nigrescens is a deciduous, small to medium-sized tree which occurs in various savanna regions, often at low altitudes, and in rocky areas, on...

12 / 09 / 2011 | T.T. Masupa | National Herbarium Pretoria

Lachenalia pustulata

Common names: common viooltjie

Family: Hyacinthaceae

Lachenalia pustulata, with its vast array of flower colours, is a most rewarding Cape winter-growing bulb to cultivate....

12 / 09 / 2011 | Adam Harrower | Kirstenbosch NBG

Agathosma collina

Common names: dune buchu (Eng.); duineboegoe (Afr.)

Family: Rutaceae

The mildly aromatic Agathosma collina is a hardy shrublet suitable for strandveld or coastal areas where it will cheer up the garden with its bright yellow-green...

19 / 09 / 2011 | Tamzin Lakey | Kirstenbosch NBG

Encephalartos senticosus

Common names: Lebombo, jozini cycad (Eng.); lebombobroodboom (Afr.); isigqiki-somkhovu, ujubane (Zulu); sijekwane (S)

Family: Zamiaceae

Encephalartos senticosus is a quick-growing, glossy dark green giant cycad for your ornamental garden. ...

19 / 09 / 2011 | M.S. Mothogoane | National Herbarium Pretoria

Osyris lanceolata

Common names: rock tannin-bush, transvaal sumach (Eng.); bergbas, rotslooibas (Afr.); intshakasa, ingondotha-mpete (Zulu); umbulunyathi (Zulu/Xhosa); intekeza, utek

Family: Santalaceae

The evergreen, winter-flowering Osyris lanceolata is a blue-green hardy shrub or small tree. Its fleshy, yellowish green fruits become bright...

26 / 09 / 2011 | M.S. Mothogoane | National Herbarium Pretoria

Ursinia speciosa

Common names: Namaqua-ursinia (Eng.); Namakwa-ursinia (Afr.)

Family: Asteraceae

Ursinia speciosa will brighten up any garden during late winter or early spring with its showy orange or yellow flowers....

26 / 09 / 2011 | Roger Oliver | Kirstenbosch NBG

Cleome gynandra

Common names: African cabbage, spider-wisp (Eng.); murudi (Venda); snotterbelletjie (Afr.); morotho (Northern Sotho)

Family: Capparaceae

African cabbage is of economic importance as it is among the herbs that are used as indigenous vegetables in rural areas of southern Africa. Analyses have...

03 / 10 / 2011 | Cathbert Makgakga | Kirstenbosch NBG

Salvia garipensis

Common names: Gariep sage (Eng.); Gariep salie (Afr.)

Family: Lamiaceae

This hardy sage, of medium height and neat appearance, will appeal to those concerned with border plantings or indigenous water-wise gardens....

03 / 10 / 2011 | Monique Mcquillan | Kirstenbosch NBG

Aloe linearifolia

Common names: dwarf yellow grass aloe (Eng.); inkhuphuyana (isiZulu)

Family: Asphodelaceae

This aloe is useful for landscaping a grassland garden. It looks spectacular when it is in flower....

10 / 10 / 2011 | Lufuno Konanani | KwaZulu-Natal NBG

Arctotis hirsuta

Common names: Namaqua marigold (Eng.), Namakwagousblom (Afr.)

Family: Asteraceae

Bold and beautiful, the mesmerizing Arctotis hirsuta is one of the most captivating species in an annual spring display....

10 / 10 / 2011 | Roger Oliver | Kirstenbosch NBG

Agathosma imbricata

Common names: sand buchu (Eng.); sandboegoe (Afr.)

Family: Rutaceae

This sweetly scented shrublet is a real gem which not only copes with a variety of soil-types and conditions, but also provides a magical splash of colour...

17 / 10 / 2011 | Roger Oliver | Kirstenbosch NBG

Hesperantha vaginata

Common names: harlequin evening flower (Eng.); harlekynaandblom, perdeblom (Afr.)

Family: Iridaceae

The bright yellow flowers of Hesperantha vaginata, with their distinctive dark brown markings, have formed a very close evolutionary relationship with...

17 / 10 / 2011 | Colleen Rust | Hantam NBG

Encephalartos natalensis

Common names: Natal cycad (Eng.); natalbroodboom (Afr.); isigqikisomkhovu, umhlungulo (Zulu); umguza, umphanga (Xhosa)

Family: Zamiaceae

Encephalartos natalensis, a "living fossil", is a quick-growing handsome giant tree cycad for your garden. This frost-hardy cycad prefers subtropical...

24 / 10 / 2011 | M.S. Mothogoane | National Herbarium Pretoria

Salvia aurita var. aurita

Common names: oogseerbossie (Afr.)

Family: Lamiaceae

Salvia aurita var. aurita is a fast-growing, herbaceous perennial that makes a fantastic groundcover in gardens that can offer a little...

24 / 10 / 2011 | Monique Mcquillan | Kirstenbosch NBG

Combretum molle

Common names: velvet bush willow, velvet leaf willow (Eng.); fluweelboswilg, basterrooibos (Afr.); mokgwethe (North Sotho); iNkukutwane (Siswati); xikhukhutsane (Ts

Family: Combretaceae

This is a decorative tree, well suited for a summer rainfall garden....

31 / 10 / 2011 | T.T. Masupa | National Herbarium Pretoria

Pelargonium ribifolium

Common names: currant-leaved pelargonium

Family: Geraniaceae

This is beautiful aromatic white-flowered pelargonium for any spring garden....

31 / 10 / 2011 | Trevor Adams | Kirstenbosch NBG

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