Cousins, S.R. 2010. Fanfare in the fynbos. Veld & Flora 96(4): 164–165.

< Back to search results Go to Plants of the Week Advanced Search

Kumara Medik.

Family:

Common names: fan aloes (Eng.); waaieraalwyne (Afr.)

View other plants in this family View other plants in this genus

Species

Kumara haemanthifolia

Plants form dense groups of stemless rosettes of up to 0.7 m high. Leaves are strap-shaped with a rounded tip, arranged in a fan, up to 200 mm long, and ± 80 mm wide, with reddish, mostly toothless margins. Orange to scarlet flowers (± 38 mm long) are borne in unbranched inflorescences consisting of head-shaped, rather dense racemes (flower heads) in spring, between September and December, but mainly in October. This species is restricted to high mountain peaks from Stellenbosch to near Ceres, Western Cape, South Africa. It grows on almost inaccessible Table Mountain Sandstone cliffs in the Cape Fold Belt Mountains, in very wet, grassy and rocky places on south- and southeast-facing slopes. The habitat is not warm in summer, but above the snowline in winter and experiences high winter rainfall and significant mist.

Kumara plicatilis

Plants form tall shrubs or small to medium-sized trees with a naked stem of 3–5 m high, which is dichotomously branched (forked) and rebranched. Leaves are strap-shaped with a rounded tip, arranged in a fan, ± 300 mm long, and ± 40 mm wide, with a narrow mostly toothless margin, which does not differ significantly in colour from the rest of the leaf. The leaf sap is clear, but becomes pale yellow and wax-like when dry. Scarlet flowers (up to 55 mm long) are borne in unbranched inflorescences consisting of cone-shaped, lax racemes (flower clusters) in late winter and spring (August to October). This species is restricted to mountainous parts from Franschhoek to Elandskloof, Western Cape, South Africa. It grows on Table Mountain Sandstone substrates in mountainous areas of very high winter rainfall, among Fynbos Heathland, on steep southwest-facing slopes in rocky areas.

 

Plant Attributes:

Plant Type:

SA Distribution:

Soil type:

Flowering season:

PH:

Flower colour:

Aspect:

Gardening skill:

Special Features:

Horticultural zones