Plants of the Week

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E.g., 25/11/2024
E.g., 25/11/2024

Combretum kraussii

Fruit of Combretum kraussii:©G.Nichols
Common names: forest bushwillow (Eng.), bosvaderlandswilg (Afr.), uhwabhu, umdubu-wehlathi (Zulu), ulandile (Xhosa), imbondvo-lemhlophe, umdvubu (Swazi), modlubu (N
Family: Combretaceae

Handsome, quick growing and reasonably cold resistant, this tree is recommended for shady areas in gardens with a mild to warm climate....

07 / 07 / 2003 | Lou-nita LeRoux | Lowveld NBG
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Agathosma crenulata

Agathosma crenulata and bee
Common names: buchu, long-leaf buchu (Eng.); boegoe, langblaar boegoe, regteboegoe, anysboegoe (Afr.); buchu (Khoi); ibuchu (Xhosa)
Family: Rutaceae

This is one of the true buchus, long used medicinally. The volatile oils in the glands dotting the leaves and fruit emit an easily recognizable buchu fragrance...

07 / 07 / 2003 | Norma Jodamus | Kirstenbosch NBG
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Combretum erythrophyllum

Flowers
Common names: river bushwillow (Eng.), riviervaderlandswilg, rooiblaar, rooiblad (Afr.), umbondwe, umdubu-wehlandze, umhlalavane (Zulu), umdubu (Xhosa), miavana, mo
Family: Combretaceae

One of the winged wonders belonging to the bushwillow family, this medium-sized tree is a fast grower, producing creamy flowers and beautiful 4-winged...

30 / 06 / 2003 | Lou-nita LeRoux | Lowveld NBG
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Aloidendron barberae

Aloidendron barberae
Common names: tree aloe (Eng.); boomaalwyn, mikaalwyn (Afr.); ikhala (Xhosa); umgxwala, indlabendlazi, impondonndo, inkalane-enkulu (Zulu)
Family: Asphodelaceae

Aloidendron barberae is a striking sculptural tree aloe bearing a rounded, neat crown.  It was previously known as Aloe barberae.  It forms an...

30 / 06 / 2003 | Giles Mbambezeli | Kirstenbosch NBG
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Widdringtonia cedarbergensis

Widdringtonia cedarbergensis in habitat
Common names: Clanwilliam cedar, Cape cedar (Eng.); Clanwilliamseder, sederboom (Afr.)
Family: Cupressaceae

The Cederberg* region was named after the Clanwilliam cedar, which used to be a prominent feature of the Cederberg but which today is a rare sight. They...

23 / 06 / 2003 | Alice Notten | Kirstenbosch NBG
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Combretum microphyllum

Combretum microphyllum
Common names: flame creeper
Family: Combretaceae

This is a spectacular creeper providing a spring spectacle of flaming crimson, flowering splendour. It is an excellent plant to fill the gaps in larger...

23 / 06 / 2003 | Y Reynolds | Lowveld NBG
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Lithops olivacea

Lithops olivacea
Common names: stone plant (Eng.); beeskloutjie (Afr.)
Family: Aizoaceae

Lithops species are probably amongst the most well-camouflaged and cryptic plants in the world. Their common name, stone plant, is particularly apt, as...

16 / 06 / 2003 | Adam Harrower | Kirstenbosch NBG
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Erica patersonii

Erica patersonia
Common names: mielie heath (Eng.); mielieheide (Afr.)
Family: Ericaceae

This is one of a number of erica species that are threatened by urban expansion and farming practices....

16 / 06 / 2003 | Anthony Hitchcock | Kirstenbosch NBG
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Witsenia maura

Witsenia maura. Photo J Manning
Common names: Bokmakierie's tail (Eng.); waaiertjie (Afr.)
Family: Iridaceae

This plant is one of the most striking woody iris shrubs; very different from the familiar herbaceous genera such as the Iris and Gladiolus, but equally...

09 / 06 / 2003 | Antonia Xaba | Harold Porter NBG
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Lachenalia viridiflora

Lachenalia viridiflora
Common names: green-flowered lachenalia (Eng.); groenviooltjie (Afr.)
Family: Hyacinthaceae

Lachenalia viridiflora is a most appealing autumn- and winter-flowering bulbous plant, growing up to 200 mm high. Its startling turquoise blooms place...

09 / 06 / 2003 | Graham Duncan | Kirstenbosch NBG
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Restio multiflorus

Restio multiflorus
Common names: many-flowered restio
Family: Restionaceae

This is a very attractive, dense, upright, tufted plant that can be used as an accent plant or to provide a grass-like accent in a mixed border or fynbos...

02 / 06 / 2003 | Hanneke Jamieson | Kirstenbosch NBG
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Hypoxis colchicifolia

Hypoxix colchicifolia©G Nichols
Common names: broad-leaved hypoxis (Eng.); iLabatheka (Zulu)
Family: Hypoxidaceae

This is a must for every South African  gardener, not only for its medicinal uses, but also for its bright yellow flowers in late spring....

02 / 06 / 2003 | Siyabulela Nonjinge | KwaZulu-Natal NBG
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Cyperus textilis

Baskets made of Cyperus textilis
Common names: mat sedge, umbrella sedge, basket grass, rushes, emezi grass (Eng.); matjiesgoed, kooigoed, (Afr.); imisi (Xhosa)
Family: Cyperaceae

This is a decorative waterside plant that can also be used to weave baskets and sleeping mats or to make rolled twine....

26 / 05 / 2003 | Christien Malan | Kirstenbosch NBG
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Alepidea amatymbica

Alepidea amatymbica
Common names: giant alepidea, larger tinsel flower (Eng.); kalmoes, slangwortel (Afr.); iqwili (isiXhosa); ikhathazo (isiZulu); lesoko (South Sotho), inkatsankatsa
Family: Apiaceae

Alepidea amatymbica has extremely popular and highly sought after rhizomes, for medicinal use, and is an important component of the healer's pharmacy....

26 / 05 / 2003 | Siyabulela Nonjinge | KwaZulu-Natal NBG
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Tinnea barbata

Tinnea barbata
Common names: bush violet, blue tinnea
Family: Lamiaceae

This superb little shrub is related to salvias. The delicate deep purple-blue flowers dangling from erect branches like little ornaments are this shrub's...

19 / 05 / 2003 | Cherise Viljoen | Kirstenbosch NBG
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Crinum paludosum

Crinum paludosum
Common names: bushveld vlei lily
Family: Amaryllidaceae

This is a very beautiful lily with funnel-shaped flowers that are white to pale pink, enhanced by reddish stigmas. Crinum paludosum is a slender,...

19 / 05 / 2003 | Mhlonishwa D Dlamini | Walter Sisulu NBG
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Eulophia horsfallii

Eulophia horsfallii
Family: Orchidaceae

Eulophia horsfallii ( sometimes called E.rosea) is a magnificent, tall-growing, purple-flowered orchid found in KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and Limpopo...

12 / 05 / 2003 | Graham Duncan | Kirstenbosch NBG
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Dovyalis caffra

Dovyalis caffra. Photo Geoff Nichols
Common names: Kei-apple (Eng.); Kei-appel (Afr.); motlhono (North Sotho); umqokolo (Zulu); amaqokolo (Ndebele); mukokolo (Shona)
Family: Salicaceae

Dovyalis caffra is a lovely evergreen fruit tree or shrub. It is one of the three Dovyalis species, together with D. zeyheri (wild...

12 / 05 / 2003 | Avhurengwi Phillemon Ndou | Walter Sisulu NBG
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Restio dispar

Female inflorescences of Restio dispar
Common names: red-spathe restio
Family: Restionaceae

This large, sturdy, Cape reed will introduce a true autumn feeling in your garden with its striking orange-brown, female inflorescences during April, May...

05 / 05 / 2003 | Hanneke Jamieson | Kirstenbosch NBG
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Bolusanthus speciosus

Bolusanthus speciosa
Common names: tree wisteria; Vanwykshout (Afr.); mogaba (Northern Sotho); umHolo (Zulu) National tree list no.: 222
Family: Fabaceae

The tree wisteria is certainly one of the most spectacular of our indigenous trees when in flower, mimicking the splendour of the jacaranda, which unfortunately...

05 / 05 / 2003 | Nick Klapwijk | Pretoria NBG
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