Flowering Month: September

  • Gladiolus carinatus

    Posted on by Di StrombergCommonly known as the blue Afrikaner, is a perennial plant belonging to the genus Gladiolus and is part of the fynbos. The plant is native to the Western Cape. The flower spike is erect and unbranched with usually 4-6 flowers;... Read more »

  • Zygophyllum L.

    Posted on by Di StrombergDescription Zygophyllum is derived from the Greek words, zygos, meaning joined, and phyllon, meaning leaf, referring to the paired leaves of many of the species.  This many-stemmed dwarf shrub usually grows to a height of  ± 1 m to ±... Read more »

  • OCHNA SERRULATA

    Posted on by Di StrombergThis small semi-deciduous to evergreen shrub is usually 1 to 2m in height, but can reach 6m. It has a slender stem with smooth, brown bark. The elliptical leaves are  13-50mm long and can be narrow with blunt or rounded... Read more »

  • EUPHORBIA ERYTHRINA

    Posted on by Di StrombergThis much branched, resprouting perennial plant is easily recognisable by its stunning flower heads and long slender stems with opposite, alternate leaves. The flowers are carried at the tip of the stems and are enclosed in grenny-yellow bracts. Read more »

  • VIRGILIA DIVARICATA

    Posted on by Di StrombergVirgilia divaricata and V. oroboides are very similar and are often confused but V. divaricata rarely exceeds 10m – unlike V. oroboides which can reach 15m. It has a bushy, rounded to broadly conical growth habit with branches growing close to the ground. The... Read more »

  • ACOKANTHERA OPPOSITIFOLIA

    Posted on by Di StrombergThis evergreen to semi-deciduous tree can be seen on the other side of the footpath to the Indigenous Garden. Easy to recognise with its reddish young stems and thick, leathery, ovate and glossy leaves. The flowers appear in dense axillary... Read more »

  • RHYNCHOSIA CARIBAEA

    Posted on by Di StrombergThis indigenous, herbaceous climber or creeper grows from a thick, woody rootstock. The stems are covered in short, soft hair and are slender. The leaves are strikingly beautiful, heart-shaped and trifoliate (i.e. divided into 3 leaflets). The flowers are 9–20 mm... Read more »

  • POLYGALA VIRGATA

    Posted on by Di StrombergThis is an evergreen shrub which, if left untouched, can grow to over 2m. The specimen in Steenbok can be seen alongside the footpath on the opposite side of the Indigenous Gardens. It will definitely catch your eye with its... Read more »

  • Scadoxus puniceus

    Posted on by Di StrombergThis is one of South Africa’s most striking bulbous plants with a large underground bulb that can reach up to 10cm across. The plants are dormant in winter, using the large bulbs and roots to store moisture during that time.... Read more »

  • Metalasia muricata

    Posted on by Di StrombergThis erect, woody shrub grows up to 2.5m, the leaves are often curved backwards, twisted and hooked at the tips.  The margins are rolled under. The honey scented flower heads are without rays, several in terminal clusters, the bracts are... Read more »