Wild flowers are defined here as any flowering plants that are not included in the definition of trees or grasses in other chapters.
The flowering plants are divided into two classes: the monocotyledons (with single seed-leaf, parallel veins and flower parts in threes or multiples of three) and dicotyledons (two seed-leaves, net veins and flower parts in fours, fives or multiples of these).
Monocotyledons include the bulbous plants: lilies, gladioli, watsonias, the amaryllis family and orchids – some of the most beautiful and sought-after flowers.
Dicotyledons represent the larger group, with great variety in flower shape and size. Well-known examples are pelargoniums, mesembryanthemums, succulents including the ground aloes, crassulas, kalanchoes and euphorbias; over 600 species of ericas, the foul-smelling stapelias; helichrysums and the Barberton daisy, a beautiful single red daisy now bred into large, multicoloured horticultural varieties.
All flowers have the organs shown in the accompanying illustration (below) of a typical flower, but care is needed when identifying species of different shapes.
FLOWER
ORCHID FLOWER
PEA FLOWER
DAISY FLOWER
RUBIACEOUS FLOWER
TYPES OF INFLORESCENCE
PARTS OF PLANTS
There is often more plant mass beneath the soil than above it. This hidden resource is well known and understood by the herbalists and subsistence farmers of the subcontinent. The roots, tubers, bulbs and corms, together with the leaves, stems, bark, flowers and fruits, provide a wide range of traditional medicines, cures and magical potions that have been used for centuries and continue to support and treat the majority of people of the region.
Altogether some 24 000 species of flowering plants are estimated to be found in the region. The 400 that have been selected for this chapter represent those that are most commonly seen. They include examples of all the major families, and it will be unusual for the reader not to be able to identify at least the genus of a specimen found in the veld. Regional floral guides will need to be referred to for greater precision.
The flowers described in this chapter are widely dispersed in many different habitats, but the southern African region is most famous for the fynbos biome. Known as the Cape floral kingdom, this is one of only six floral kingdoms in the world. The smallest by far, it is confined to the southern tip of Africa, and comprises only 3.5% of the land mass – and yet 41% of the whole continent’s plant species are found here, including about 6 000 endemics.
Other regions and habitats are also rich in floral diversity. One of the most spectacular natural events to be seen is the annual blossoming of flowers in the semi-desert Namaqualand, known as the succulent Karoo. Second only to fynbos in the number of endemics, this area experiences an extraordinary metamorphosis in spring when the arid landscape is transformed into fields of flowers.
The desert itself has a sparse but fascinating flora, mostly succulents.
In grassland areas, healthy veld will invariably include a wide range of spring and autumn flowers interspersed among the grass. Many of these species are adapted to surviving fire and, in burnt areas, the flowers often appear before the recovery of grass species.
The first dimension given with each description in this chapter refers to the total height of a large, mature plant. Other dimensions in the text refer to specific parts of the plant and are clearly stated. Only the greatest dimension is given; this usually indicates length but sometimes indicates diameter. Leaf measurements refer to the length of the blade excluding the stalk. The dimensions given either consist of a range or are maximums, with smaller dimensions possible in different specimens.
1 ARUM LILY
300–600 mm (up to 1.5 m in shade). Leaves soft, blade up to 300 mm long, stems spongy, up to 600 mm long. Male and female flowers clustered on central yellow spadix, spathe cream-white, up to 200 mm long (Aug–Jan). Well known worldwide as a garden plant. Evergreen, survives frost and snow, sometimes deciduous. Marshy areas, sea level to mountains, often in large communities. Widespread.
Zantedeschia pentlandii
2 YELLOW ARUM
Up to 700 mm. Leaves dark green. Flower spathe up to 180 mm long (Nov–Jan) with deep purple patch in centre. Deciduous. Marshy areas in northeast.
Similar
SPOTTED-LEAF ARUM Z. albomaculata
Leaves spotted. Spathe white to yellow with deep purple patch in centre. Three subspecies. Marshes, rocky areas, mountains, mist belt, from southeast to Zimbabwe.
Zantedeschia rehmannii
3 PINK ARUM
Up to 450 mm. Leaf tapering at both ends. Spathe up to 100 mm long, greenish-white to deep pink (Nov–Jan). Deciduous. Mountains, grassland, from east to north.
Commelina erecta
4 WANDERING JEW
Up to 200 mm. Low-growing, spreading, perennial herb. Flowers 15 mm diameter, produced from within folded spathe (spring to summer). Most species have bluish flowers. Widespread except at high altitudes.
Similar
5 YELLOW COMMELINA C. africana
Flowers yellow. Widespread.
Genus Aneilema
Flowers free (not within spathe).
Cyanotis speciosa
6 DOLL’S POWDERPUFF
Up to 250 mm. Leaves clustered at base. Dies back in winter. Inflorescence erect, feathery stamens (spring to summer). Widespread in damp, grassy or rocky areas.
Gloriosa superba
7 FLAME LILY
Up to 2 m. Stems branching, climbing with tendril leaf tips. Flowers up to 100 mm diameter, pale green, yellow, to red and yellow, very variable (Nov–Mar). Plants die back after flowering. Red seeds. White tuber. Coastal dunes, woodland, from southeast to tropical Africa.
Littonia modesta
8 BUTTER LILY
Up to 2 m. Climbing with tendril leaf tips, leaves narrow, whorled. Flowers up to 30 mm long (Oct–Jan). Widespread from coast to 1 450 m. From southeast to north.
Sandersonia aurantiaca
9 CHRISTMAS BELLS
Up to 750 mm. Leaves small (sometimes ending in a tendril). Stem unbranched. Flowers up to 35 mm long (Dec–Jan). Grassland, forest margins at higher altitudes, from southeast to north.
Androcymbium melanthoides
10 PYJAMA FLOWER
Up to 300 mm. Few leaves, up to 300 mm long. Flowers small, hidden within white to pinkish bracts (Dec–Jan). Grassland, rocky areas, Karoo, east and north. Variable, three subspecies.
1 KAFFERTJIE
Up to 200 mm. Low-growing corm. Leaves up to 200 mm long. Flowers scented at night (Aug–Nov). Widespread in winter rainfall areas.
Ornithoglossum viride
2 SLANGKOP
Up to 200 mm. Low-growing corm. Leaves sheathing base. Flowers up to 25 mm diameter, on long stalks (Jun–Sep). Widespread on sandy flats, lower slopes, from south to Namaqualand.
Bulbinella natalensis
3 CAT’S TAIL
Up to 750 mm. Leaves up to 200 mm long, slender, grooved, brown fibres at base. Inflorescence up to 120 mm long (Jul–Oct). Marshy winter rainfall areas.
Bulbine abyssinica
4 BULBINE
Up to 650 mm. Leaves fleshy, cylindrical, up to 150 mm long, in basal rosette. Flowers up to 20 mm diameter with feathery stamens (Oct–Apr), sometimes orange. Widespread in grassy and rocky areas.
Similar
BROADLEAVED BULBINE B. latifolia
Leaves up to 300 mm long, up to 110 mm wide at base, pale bright green. Dry, rocky areas. Widespread.
Chlorophytum bowkeri
5
Up to 1 m. Rosette of leaves, recurved, 300x20 mm. Unbranched flowering stem up to 1 m high. Flowers 25 mm diameter (summer). Widespread (summer rainfall), damp grassland, rocky and shady areas.
Similar
HEN-AND-CHICKENS C. comosum
Forest floor, in large colonies. Well-known garden plant, especially the white-striped-leaf variety. Flowering stem with tuft of leaves on top, eventually bending over and rooting.
C. krookianum
Leaves 1 000x80 mm. Flowering stem up to 2 m high, branched.
Kniphofia linearifolia
6 RED-HOT POKER
Up to 1.5 m. Leaves 600–1 400 mm long and 28 mm wide, keeled, bending over. Inflorescence up to 160x65 mm, tapering to tip, colour varies (Jan–Apr). In colonies. Hilly grassland, marsh, stream banks. Widespread from southeast to Zimbabwe.
Similar
RED-HOT POKER K. praecox
Well known worldwide as a garden plant. Inflorescence dense, robust, up to 300x70 mm. Origins in the wild obscure.
Kniphofia multiflora
7 GIANT POKER
Up to 2 m. Robust, leaves broad. Inflorescence long, narrow, flowers open upwards. Marshes, usually at high altitude.
1
Up to 1.5 m. Leaves 600 mm long and 80–120 mm wide, forming rosette, spiny on both surfaces. Inflorescence up to 600x70 mm (May–Jul). Not in dense groups. Hot, dry, rocky areas in north.
Aloe aristata
2 GUINEAFOWL ALOE
Up to 700 mm. Leaves 100x15 mm, long dry tips, spots forming hard white protuberances. Inflorescence 200x150 mm (Nov). Compact groups. Hot, dry, sandy flats, rocky mountain slopes, grassy hillsides, from Karoo to Lesotho, Drakensberg.
Aloe ecklonis
3 RED GRASS ALOE
Up to 800 mm. Leaves 600x80 mm, flat, broad for most of length, soft white teeth. Inflorescence flat, 120 mm diameter, flowers 40 mm long (Dec–Jan). Small groups, grassland, from east to north.
Similar
A. cooperi
Leaves in fan (rosette in older plants), narrow, distinctly keeled. Inflorescence pyramidal.
Aloe claviflora
4 KANONAALWYN
Up to 300 mm. Leaves rough, margins with sharp brown teeth. Inflorescence angled (Aug–Sep). Hot, dry central areas to northwest.
Aloe ecklonis
5 YELLOW GRASS ALOE
Up to 600 mm. Leaves 600x80 mm, in a fan or rosette, soft white teeth on margin. Inflorescence 1–3 flowering stems with 30–40 flowers 16–18 mm, buds held erect (Nov–Feb). Widespread in grassland and rocky areas. East to north.
Aloe striata
6 CORAL ALOE
Up to 1 m. Leaves 500x200 mm, spreading, incurved smooth margin. Inflorescence 60x60 mm (Jul–Oct). Large colonies on rocky slopes in hot, dry areas. Widespread from southwest to southeast. Subsp. karasbergensis: inflorescence pyramidal (Jan–Mar). From west to northwest.
Aloe maculata (=A. saponaria)
7 SOAP ALOE
600 mm to 1 m. Leaves up to 300 mm long and 80–120 mm wide, tip dry, twisted. Hard brown teeth on margins. Inflorescence compact, flat-topped, 120x160 mm (throughout the year). Singly or in large communities. Grassland, rocky slopes, sea level to 2 000 m, winter and summer rainfall areas. Widespread.
Aloe greatheadii (=A. davyana)
8 KLEINAALWYN
Up to 1.5 m. Leaves spreading, 200 mm long, hard edge with brown teeth, no spots beneath. Inflorescence up to 300x80 mm (Jun–Jul). Scattered or in colonies in grassland, bushveld. Widespread from central areas to north, Zimbabwe, Mozambique.
Aloe chabaudii
9 CHABAUD’S ALOE
800 mm to 1 m. Leaves greyish, 500x100 mm. Inflorescence 160x100 mm (Jun–Jul). Large groups. Hot, dry, frost-free areas from east to Malawi.
Aloe tenuior
10 FENCE ALOE
Up to 3 m. Scrambler. Leaves blue-green, 150x15 mm, sheathing stem, in terminal rosettes. Inflorescence 160x40 mm, flowers yellow to orange-red (Aug–May). Thicket, forest margins, from southeast to east-central areas.
1 AGAPANTHUS
Up to 1.5 m. Evergreen perennial. Leaves up to 600x50 mm. Inflorescence up to 200 mm diameter, up to 100 flowers in a head, not drooping, lobes curved back, pale blue-mauve (Dec–Jan). Dense clumps, rocky hillsides in southeast and east. Three subspecies.
Similar
A. campanulatus
Deciduous perennial. Not as robust as A. praecox. Flowers deep blue. Damp places, grassland, rocky areas over 2 400 m. Widespread.
DWARF AGAPANTHUS A. africanus
Smaller (up to 600 mm). Evergreen. Fewer leaves up to 250x12 mm. Up to 18 deep blue flowers in smaller head. Rocky mountainsides in south.
Agapanthus inapertus
2 DROOPING AGAPANTHUS
Up to 1.8 m. Deciduous. Leaves up to 500 mm long. Flowers drooping, lobes not spreading, deep blue (summer). In clumps, grassland, mountains in east and north.
Tulbaghia acutiloba
3 WILD GARLIC
Up to 300 mm. Leaves up to 250x8 mm, usually after flowers. Flowers up to 15 mm diameter (Aug–Sep). Faint garlic scent. Scattered in grassland. Widespread, from southeast to north.
Tulbaghia simmleri
4 WILD GARLIC
Up to 450 mm. Strap-shaped leaves up to 450 mm long. Inflorescence up to 70 mm diameter (Jun–Jan), sweetly scented. In clumps in damp areas in northeast.
Similar
T. violacea
Powerful garlic scent. Widespread.
Albuca setosa (=A. pachychlamys)
5 SLYMUINTJIE
Up to 400 mm. Bulb with fibrous top. Leaves after flowers, up to 300 mm long, narrow. Flowers erect, up to 20 mm long, white to yellow or green (Jul–Jan). Grassland, open rocky slopes over 2 400 m. Widespread.
Dipcadi viride
6 GREEN BELLS
Up to 1 m. Bulb. Leaves slender, up to 600 mm long, narrow, keeled. Flowers open in same direction (Oct–Apr). Grassland, rocky areas, coast to mountains. Widespread.
Merwilla natalensis
7 BLUE SQUILL
Up to 1 m. Large bulb with papery tips. Rosette of smooth, broad leaves, erect, up to 500 mm long, developing after flowers. Inflorescence up to 300x100 mm, flowers pale blue to deep purplish-blue (Jul–Nov). In colonies. Damp grassland, rocky slopes, coast to mountains. Widespread, from southeast to north.
Schizocarphus nervosus
8 WILD SQUILL
Up to 400 mm. Bulb with fibrous tips. Leaves up to 300 mm long, narrow, stiff, erect, twisted, appear with flowers. Flowers small, white, with emerald green spot at base of tepals, stalks lengthening with age (Sep–Jan). Small rounded clumps, scattered in grassland, coast to 2 000 m. Widespread.
1 PINEAPPLE LILY
Up to 600 mm. Large bulb. Leaves unspotted with wavy margins. Inflorescence with terminal tuft of leaf-like bracts (Dec–Apr). Damp grassland, coast to mountains over 2 450 m. Widespread, from southeast to north.
Similar
E. bicolor
Larger (up to 1 m). Leaves and flowers edged purple.
E. comosa
Leaves and flowering stem spotted purple. Flowers creamy white, ovary purple (summer). Moist grassland.
Ornithogalum thyrsoides
2 CHINCHERINCHEE
Up to 500 mm. Bulb. Leaves erect, up to 350 mm long. Flowers up to 50 mm diameter (Sep–Dec). Sandy flats and slopes, from southwest to Namaqualand.
Similar
3 SNAKE FLOWER O. maculatum
Orange flowers (Sep–Oct).
Ornithogalum seineri
4
Up to 300 mm. Leaves slender. Flowers up to 15 mm diameter (Oct–Nov). Large colonies in dry grassland, from north to northwest.
Veltheimia bracteata
5 FOREST LILY
Up to 500 mm. Bulb. Leaves up to 450x70 mm. Flowers Jul–Sep. Fruit an inflated capsule. Colonies in light shade, coastal bush in southeast.
Lachenalia aloides
6 CAPE COWSLIP
Up to 300 mm. Bulb. Leaves variable in size, up to 170 mm long, spotted. Flowers up to 30 mm long (Jul–Nov). In clumps. Rocky outcrops in mountains in south. Three subspecies.
Similar
7 L. mutabilis
Up to 170 mm. Single leaf. Flowers small (Jul–Sep).
Sansevieria hyacinthoides
8 MOTHER-IN-LAW’S TONGUE
Flowering stem up to 450 mm high. Leaves up to 600x80 mm, smooth, flat, fibrous. Flowers open at night (Dec–Mar), scented. Fruit up to 8 mm diam. Large colonies, in dry sandy or rocky areas, from southeast to north.
Similar
S. aethiopica
Leaves V-shaped, rough. Occurs in south, north and northwest.
Sansevieria pearsonii
9
Flowering stem up to 1 m high. Leaves cylindrical, up to 1 m high, with sharp tips. From east to northwest.
Asparagus plumosus
10 ASPARAGUS FERN
Up to 2 m. Twining climber. Leaves up to 5 mm long, flattened, branchlets, leaves on one plane. Flowers up to 7 mm diameter, white, scattered (summer). Dune forest, forest margins, scrub, from southeast to north.
Asparagus densiflorus
11 FOXTAIL
Up to 450 mm. Multistemmed with short, curved spines. Leaves up to 15x2 mm. Flowers clustered or singly, scented (summer). Fruit up to 10 mm diameter. Widespread, from southeast to northeast.
Asparagus aethiopicus
12 SMILAX
Up to 2 m. Scrambling, stems twisting, wiry. Leaves up to 40x20 mm. Flowers up to 10 mm long, sweetly scented (Jul–Sep). Fruit 10 mm diameter. Widespread in forest, bushveld.
1 BLOOD ROOT
Up to 1.8 m. Tuberous red root. Leaves in fan, pleated, up to 800x80 mm. Inflorescence up to 450 mm long, each flower up to 30 mm diameter. Swamps, stream banks, coastal areas, from south to southeast.
Haemanthus coccineus
2 BLOOD FLOWER
Up to 400 mm. Bulb. Leaves up to 450x150 mm in the middle, sometimes barred with purple markings on undersurface, smooth or softly hairy, after flowers. Flowers Feb–Apr. Fruit soft, white to pink. Singly or in large communities, usually in shade. Widespread in winter rainfall areas, sea level to 1 200 m.
Haemanthus albiflos
3 APRIL FOOL
Flowering stem up to 350 mm long. Evergreen. Leaves erect, firm, up to 400x115 mm, sometimes with white spots, smooth or hairy, margin hairy. Inflorescence up to 70 mm diameter (Jan–Oct, Apr–Aug). Fruit oval, 10 mm diameter, white to red. Singly or in large colonies. Widespread in woodland, valley bushveld, from south to east along coastal belt.
Similar
H. deformis
Evergreen. Leaves flat, roundish, up to 260x250 mm, smooth or hairy. Flowering stem short. Occurs in east.
Scadoxus multiflorus
4 SNAKE LILY
Up to 900 mm. Bulb. Rolled leaf bases form a false stem, spotted at base. Inflorescence up to 200 mm diameter (Oct–Jan). Shiny red fruit. Grassland and woodland, low to high altitude. Widespread, from east to north.
Similar
CATHERINE WHEEL S.m. subsp. katherinae
Up to 1.2 m. Large, deep pink flower head (Jan–Feb).
Damp, warm forests, from southeast to Zimbabwe.
Scadoxus puniceus
5 BLOOD LILY
Up to 900 mm. Leaves up to 600 mm long, with or after flowers. Inflorescence up to 150 mm diameter (Jul–Nov). Light or deep shade, widespread in summer rainfall areas.
Boophane disticha
6 TUMBLEWEED
Inflorescence up to 200 mm diameter. Bulb protruding well above ground. Leaves up to 300 mm long, in a fan. Flower stalks lengthen to 300 mm with seed enclosed terminally. Large dry fruiting head up to 600 mm diameter, breaks loose, rolling in the wind. Grassland. Widespread.
Clivia miniata
7 CLIVIA
Up to 800 mm. Leaves strap-shaped, up to 600 mm long. Inflorescence up to 300 mm diameter, flowers up to 80x60 mm, scented (Aug–Oct). Large red fruit. A pale yellow variety rare in the wild. Forest, from southeast to northeast.
Clivia nobilis
8 DROOPING CLIVIA
Up to 800 mm. Leaves up to 1 m long, with rough edge, tip rounded or indented. Up to 30 tubular flowers, drooping (Jun–Oct). Forest, rock faces, from southeast to east.
Similar
C. gardenii
Fewer flowers, leaf tip pointed, margin faintly rough.
Eastern forests.
C. caulescens
Develops a stem. Northern forests.
1 RIBBON-LEAVED NERINE
Up to 500 mm. Bulb. Leaves appear with flowers; narrow, up to 250 mm long, with groove on upper surface. Flowers 50 mm long (Feb). Marshy grassland, mountains, from southeast to north.
Nerine sarniensis
2 RED NERINE
Up to 450 mm. Bulb. Leaves after flowers, strap-like up to 450x28 mm. Flowers up to 40 mm long, sparkling with gold dust (Mar–May). Rocky mountainsides in southwest.
Amaryllis belladonna
3 BELLADONNA LILY
Up to 900 mm. Bulb. Leaves after flowers, strap-shaped, arched, up to 600x40 mm. Flowers up to 130x80 mm (Feb–Mar), fragrantly scented. Occurs in southwest.
Brunsvigia natalensis
4 CANDELABRA FLOWER
Up to 700 mm. Bulb. Leaves erect, margins undulating or not. Inflorescence up to 450 mm wide, flowers up to 50 mm long (Nov–Jan). Flower stalks double in length, fruit developing on tips, drying out to form a tumbleweed. Grassland, marshy areas at higher altitudes. Widespread in summer rainfall areas.
Crinum macowanii
5 RIVER CRINUM
Up to 800 mm. Bulb. Leaves up to 1 000x100 mm. Inflorescence held erect, up to 50 flowers. Flowers wide open, up to 200 mm long, pollen black, old flowers brown (Oct–Dec), fragrantly scented. Fruit beaked. Grassland, marshy areas. Widespread, from southeast to Zimbabwe.
Similar
C. bulbispermum
Sheathing base of leaves forming “stem” up to 300 mm long. Flowers narrow, drying pink or red, pollen grey-brown. Fruit not beaked.
Crinum moorei
6 MOORE’S CRINUM
Up to 1 m. Bulb with neck or stem up to 300 mm long. Leaves up to 900x90 mm. 2–10 flowers, pink to white. Successive flowering stems produced over extended flowering period (Oct–Mar).
Similar
C. stuhlmannii
7
Leaves broad, lying fairly flat on the ground. Dark pink striped flowers, petals curling back. Fruit spectacular. Grassland, sandy soils. Northeast.
Ammocharis coranica
8 GROUND LILY
Up to 300 mm. Bulb. Leaves strap-like, up to 450x40 mm. Inflorescence with up to 20 flowers, up to 40 mm long (Nov–Jan). Large communities, grassland. Widespread.
1 YELLOW FIRE-LILY
Up to 200 mm. Bulb. Leaves after flowering, up to 370x30 mm. Flowers up to 30 mm long (Sep–Oct), scented. Grassland, coast to mountains, first to appear after fire. Widespread.
Cyrtanthus contractus
2 FIRE-LILY
Up to 400 mm. Bulb. Flowers up to 80 mm long (Aug–Oct). Best seen on recently burnt veld. Grassland. Widespread.
Cyrtanthus sanguineus
3 INANDA LILY
Up to 450 mm. Bulb. Leaves up to 250x13 mm, appearing with flowers. Flowers 110x100 mm (Jan–Apr). Coastal forest, thicket, rocky areas near water, from southeast to northeast.
Hypoxis hemerocallidea (=H. rooperi)
4 STAR FLOWER
Up to 250 mm. Bulb with fibrous outer layer. Leaves in three ranks. Flowers up to 50 mm diam (Sep–Jan). Grassland. Widespread.
Similar
5 SMALL YELLOW STAR H. argentea
Up to 60 mm. Leaves narrow. Widespread in grassland.
Rhodohypoxis baurii
6 RED STAR
Up to 100 mm. Bulb. Flowers up to 25 mm diameter, white to deep pink (Oct–Jan). Widespread in damp areas in mountains.
Spiloxene capensis
7 STARS
Up to 300 mm. Leaves broad, spirally twisted. Flowers up to 60 mm diameter, colour and markings vary considerably. Southwest.
Xerophyta retinervis
8 BOBBEJAANSTERT
Up to 2 m. Fibrous black stems. Grass-like leaves up to 250 mm long. Flowers up to 50 mm long, scented (Aug–Oct). Hot, dry areas, on rocky hillsides, widespread from east coast northwards.
Moraea alticola
9 YELLOW TULP
Up to 1 m. In clumps. Corm. Fibrous network sheathing stem and leaf at base. Flowers large, outer tepals up to 88 mm long, inner erect, up to 70 mm long (Oct–Mar). Drakensberg and Lesotho above 2 200 m.
Similar
M. spathulata
Flowers smaller, outer tepals up to 50 mm long, inner up to 40 mm long. Forest margins, grassland, among rocks. Widespread.
M. huttonii
Dark, bright blotch on each crest. Near running water, mountains.
Moraea tripetala
10 DAINTY MORAEA
Up to 150 mm. Leaves long, narrow, bent to trailing. Flower outer tepals up to 35 mm long (Aug–Dec). Widespread in both high rainfall and arid areas in southwest.
Moraea villosa
11 PEACOCK FLOWER
Up to 400 mm. Single long, slender leaf with velvety white down. Flower outer tepals broad, up to 40 mm long, purple, lilac, pink or orange, rarely creamy white (Aug–Sep). Lower mountain slopes, flats in southwest.
Dietes grandiflora
12 WILD IRIS
Up to 1 m. Evergreen. Leaves up to 1 000x10 mm. Flowers up to 110 mm diameter (summer). In clumps, in shade of forest, thicket, from southeast to east.
Ferraria divaricata
13 SPIDER FLOWER
Up to 450 mm. Corm. Leaves sheath base. Flowers up to 55 mm diameter. Sand or shale, from Namaqualand to Namibia.
1 RED TULP
Up to 600 mm. Corm. Stems branching. Two leaves, longer than stem. Flowers yellow to salmon pink, up to 45 mm diam, cup-shaped, scented (Aug–Sep). In sandy soil. Namaqualand and Clanwilliam.
Aristea torulosa
2 ARISTEA
Up to 900 mm. Perennial. Leaves up to 450x13 mm. Inflorescence up to 180 mm long, flowers 20 mm diameter (Dec–Feb), closing in early afternoon. Forest margins, grassland, marshy areas. Widespread.
Aristea capitata
3 TALL ARISTEA
Up to 1.7 m. Leaves rigid, up to 1 000x25 mm. Inflorescence up to 230 mm, flowers up to 35 mm diameter (Oct–Nov). Lower hill slopes, from southwest to southeast.
Hesperantha coccinea
4 RIVER LILY
Up to 600 mm. Rhizome. Leaves up to 250x10 mm. Flowers up to 60 mm diameter (Dec–Mar). In clumps on banks of rivers and streams in mountains, from southeast to north.
Geissorhiza radians
5 WINE-CUPS
Up to 150 mm. Small corm. Leaves narrow, ribbed. Flowers up to 35 mm diam (Sep). South.
Geissorhiza ovata
6 PINK SATIN FLOWER
Up to 150 mm. Two broad, oval leaves at base. Flower tube up to 27 mm long (Aug–Oct). Coastal flats, mountain slopes in south.
Ixia maculata
7 YELLOW IXIA
Up to 450 mm. Corm. Leaves up to 250x5 mm, sharp-tipped. Flowering stem slender, erect. Up to 9 flowers in a head, each flower base with papery bracts up to 10 mm long. Flowers up to 40 mm diam, only opening in sunlight (Sep–Oct). Coastal areas in south.
Similar
GREEN IXIA I. viridiflora
Up to 600 mm high. Inflorescence up to 210 mm long, flowers up to 35 mm diameter, green. Rare.
Dierama igneum
8 HAREBELL
Up to 1.35 m. Forms small clumps. Corm. Leaves up to 900x6 mm. Flowers up to 30 mm long (spring to summer). Grassland, coast to 1 500 m. From southeast to east.
Tritonia lineata
9 PENCILLED TRITONIA
Up to 450 mm. Leaves 150x18 mm. Flowers Oct–Feb. Savanna, grassland. Widespread, from southeast to north.
Crocosmia aurea
10 FALLING STARS
Up to 90 mm. Leaves up to 450x13 mm. Flowers up to 70 mm diameter (Feb–Mar). Scattered or in large communities. Forest margins, from southeast to north.
Similar
11 PLEATED LEAVES C. paniculata
Leaves up to 1 000x30 mm, pleated. Flowers in zigzag spike, branched (Jan–Feb). Large colonies in moist grassland in mountains, east and north.
1 WINE-CUP BABIANA
Up to 180 mm. Corm. Leaves in a fan. Flowers 30 mm diameter, sweetly scented (Jul–Oct). Winter rainfall areas in southwest.
Babiana hypogea
2 DWARF BABIANA
Up to 200 mm. Leaves up to 300 mm long. Flowers up to 50 mm diameter, clustered at ground level, sweetly scented (Jan/Mar/Jul). Edge of vleis, from west-central areas to Zimbabwe.
Babiana ringens (=Antholyza plicata)
3 RAT’S TAIL
Up to 450 mm. Leaves up to 300 mm long, pleated. Flowering stem branched, flowers up to 55 mm long, in dense spike (Jul–Oct). Sandy flats near coast, from southwest to Namaqualand.
Gladiolus alatus
4 KALKOENTJIE
Up to 300 mm. Leaves 180x10 mm, curved. Flowers 50 mm long, variable (Sep–Oct). Sandy flats and hill slopes in southwest.
Gladiolus carneus
5 LARGE PAINTED LADY
Up to 450 mm. Flowers 80 mm long, white, cream or pink (Oct–Nov). Sandy or marshy areas below 1 200 m in southwest.
Gladiolus longicollis
6 HONEY FLOWER
Up to 800 mm. One leaf sheathing stem. Usually single flower (Oct–Dec). Tube up to 60 mm long, tepals up to 40 mm long. Grassland, coast to mountains. Widespread.
Gladiolus dalenii
7 NATAL LILY
Up to 1,2 m. Up to 25 flowers, up to 100x50 mm. Colour greenish-orange to orange flecked with brown or red and yellow. Grassland. Widespread.
Gladiolus scullyii
8
Up to 300 mm. Leaves grass-like. Flowers 40 mm (Sep). South.
Gladiolus saundersii
9
Up to 900 mm. Erect. Leaves stiff, 600x26 mm, margins thickened, in fan. Flowers 60 mm diam, downward-facing (Jan–Mar). Rocky hillsides 1700–3000 m, from southeast to southern Drakensberg.
Similar
G. cruentus
Plants hanging. Flowers not drooping. Wet cliffs near east coast.
G. flanaganii
Leaves short, stiff. Flowers rather closed, dark red with narrow white flashes. Wet cliffs. High on Drakensberg escarpment.
Lapeirousia silenoides
10 SPRINGBOK PAINTED PETALS
Corm. Single basal leaf up to 100 mm long. Flower tube up to 50 mm long (spring). Sandy and rocky areas in Namaqualand.
Watsonia pulchra
11
Up to 1.2 m. In small clumps. Leaves 30 mm wide, margin thickened, mid-vein not. Bracts brown, flowers 50 mm wide, pink (Dec–Mar). Grassland, from east coast to escarpment.
Similar
NATAL WATSONIA W. densiflora
Large clumps. Leaves up to 15 mm wide, mid-vein thickened, up to 42 flowers. From east coast inland to 1 000 m.
Freesia laxa
12 WOODLAND PAINTED PETALS
Up to 300 mm. Leaves up to 450x13 mm. Flowers up to 35 mm across, red or pale lilac (summer). Common in shade. Summer rainfall areas in east.
Similar
13 F. grandiflora
Up to 600 mm. Flowers 60 mm diam. East, northeast and north.
1 CRANE FLOWER
Up to 1.5 m. Flowering stems longer than leaves. Up to six flowers enclosed within a spathe up to 200 mm long. Large clumps on rocky slopes near rivers and coast, from southeast to east.
Bartholina burmanniana
2 SPIDER ORCHID
Up to 220 mm. Single leaf up to 18 mm diameter. Lip divided into many narrow lobes up to 32 mm long (Aug–Nov). Fynbos or restio veld, flowering after fire, sea level to 1 200 m in southwest and south.
Bonatea speciosa
3
Up to 1 m. Robust. Leaves up to 130x40 mm. Large inflorescence. Flowers up to 80 mm long, trilobed lip, each lobe up to 30 mm long, spur up to 45 mm long. Coastal scrub, forest margins, scrub, sea level to 1 200 m. From southwest to north.
Satyrium coriifolium
4
Up to 770 mm. Leaves thick, up to 150 mm long. Inflorescence up to 300 mm long, up to 45 flowers, sepals up to 13 mm long, spurs up to 9 mm long (Aug–Dec). Coastal areas, from southwest to southeast.
Satyrium longicauda
5
Up to 800 mm. Leaves up to 200 mm long, prostrate or partly erect, separate from flowering stem. Up to 60 flowers, sepals up to 11 mm, spur up to 46 mm long, white to pink, scented (Oct–Apr). Very variable. Widespread in summer rainfall areas from coast to mountains.
Disa cornuta
6
Up to 1 m. Robust. Leaves sheathing base, up to 160 mm long, margins wavy. Inflorescence dense, sepals up to 18 mm long, spur up to 20 mm long (Sep–Feb). Grassland in summer rainfall areas, mountains and sandy flats in south. Widespread in eastern half of region.
Disa crassicornis
7
Up to 1 m. Robust. Inflorescence with up to 25 flowers, sweetly scented, sepals up to 40 mm long, spur up to 40 mm long (Nov–Mar). Grassland, damp places. Midlands and mountains, from southeast to east.
Disa nervosa
8
Up to 800 mm. Robust. Dense inflorescence, sepals up to 25 mm long, spur up to 20 mm long (Jan–Feb). Rocky grassland. Widespread from southeast to north.
Disa uniflora
9
Up to 600 mm. Flower spur up to 15 mm, lateral sepals up to 65 mm long (Jan–Mar). Common along streams in southwest and south, 100–1 200 m.
Disa woodii
10
Up to 700 mm. Cylindrical inflorescence up to 160 mm long. Sepals up to 7 mm, slender spur up to 1.5 mm (Sep–Nov). Widespread in damp grassland, from southeast to north.
Disa baurii
11
Up to 400 mm. Leaves appear after flowers. Inflorescence with 2–14 flowers, sepals up to 11 mm long, spur up to 6 mm long, lip beard-like (Aug–Nov). Grassland from coast to mountains, from southeast to north and northeast.
1 GRANNY BONNET
Up to 450 mm. Leaves up to 80x30 mm. Flower hood up to 20 mm, lateral sepals up to 14 mm (Jan–Apr). Forests, plantations, 1 200–2 000 m. From southeast to north.
Polystachya ottoniana
2
Up to 80 mm. Epiphyte. Pseudobulbs up to 25x15 mm, forming long chains. Leaves up to 60x10 mm. Inflorescence from new growth, 1–5 flowers, variable in size and colour (Aug–Dec). Common on rocks and trees in forest. From southeast to north, coast to 1 800 m.
Ceratandra grandiflora
3
Up to 430 mm. Robust. Leaves up to 80 mm long. Dense inflorescence, flowers up to 30 mm wide (Oct–Dec). Marshes from sea level to 450 m in south.
Ansellia africana
4 LEOPARD ORCHID
Up to 1,5 m. Robust epiphyte forming large clumps in trees. Pseudobulbous stems to 1 m long and 30 mm diameter. Leaves up to 300x40 mm. Inflorescence branched, up to 1 m long, flowers up to 40 mm diameter, lightly scented (Jun–Sep–Nov). Scrub, bushveld, sand forest, from east coast to tropical Africa.
Eulophia hians
5
Up to 900 mm. Slender. Leaves up to 200 mm long. Flowers up to 40 mm wide (Aug–Sep). Widespread in grassland. Sea level to mountains, from south to north. Three subspecies.
Eulophia angolensis
6
Up to 1,4 m. Robust. Leaves up to 900x50 mm. Flowers to 50 mm wide (Oct–Apr). Clumps in marshy areas, grassland. Coast and inland, from east coast to tropical Africa.
Eulophia cucullata
7
Up to 500 mm. Slender. Leaves up to 300x10 mm, appear after flowering. Flowers up to 30 mm long (Oct–Nov). Grassland, edge of marshes, from east coast to tropical Africa.
Eulophia horsfallii
8 PURPLE VLEI ORCHID
Up to 2 m. Robust. Leaves up to 150x90 mm, pleated. Flowers up to 60 mm wide, petals longer, broader (Sep–Mar). Marshy areas, edge of forest, from east coast to tropical Africa.
Eulophia speciosa
9
Up to 900 mm. Robust. Leaves up to 600x20 mm. Flower sepals up to 20 mm long, petals longer, broader (Oct–Jan). Widespread, from south to north.
Eulophia welwitschii
10
Up to 900 mm. Leaves pleated, stiffly erect, up to 700x20 mm. Dense inflorescence, flowers up to 45 mm long (Nov–Jan). Widespread in grassland, marshy areas, sea level to mountains, from southeast to tropical Africa.
Cyrtorchis arcuata
11
Stems up to 400 mm long. Epiphyte. Leaves up to 160x30 mm, tip unequally bilobed. Several flowering stems. Flowers up to 50 mm wide, spurs up to 60 mm long. Sweetly scented at night (Jan–May). On trees and rock faces. Common. Forest, sea level to 1 000 m, from southeast to tropical Africa.
1 BEARDED SERRURIA
Up to 500 mm. Very variable growth form. 3–4 flower heads, up to 38 mm diameter (winter to summer). Low to high altitudes in south (Caledon district).
Mimetes cucullatus
2 ROOISTOMPIES
500 mm to 1,5 m. Erect stems from base. Leaves up to 35x12 mm, changing colour towards top of stems in flowering season. 4–8 flower heads shorter than red-tipped leaves (Jul–Nov). On well-drained soils. Widespread in south and southwest.
Protea witzenbergiana
3
Up to 500 mm. Low growing, forming clumps. Leaves up to 600x85 mm, stalk 10–100 mm long. Flower heads up to 120 mm diameter (Sep–Dec). Strong, yeasty scent. Plants very variable. Widespread, particularly in mountains of south and southwest.
Tapinanthus rubromarginatus (=Loranthus rubromarginatus)
4 LIGHTED MATCHES
Up to 1 m tall. Semi-parasite forming large clumps in trees. Leaves deciduous, up to 40x15 mm. Flowers up to 50 mm long (Sep–Dec). Fruit up to 10 mm diameter, red. Widespread in north and northeast.
Moquinella rubra (=Loranthus elegans)
5 LIGHTED MATCHES
Up to 900 mm diameter. Semi-parasite, in large clumps. Leaves up to 40x10 mm long. Flowers up to 40 mm long (Apr–Aug). Widespread in south.
Erianthemum dregei (=Loranthus dregei)
6 MISTLETOE
Up to 1 m. Large clumps, branches hanging down. Young leaves velvety, smooth when mature. Flowers up to 50 mm long (Jun–Dec). Fruit up to 12 mm long. Widespread in woodland. Eastern summer rainfall areas.
Persicaria decipiens (=Polygonum salicifolium)
7 SNAKE ROOT
Up to 1 m. Slender herb. Leaves up to 150 mm long. Arching inflorescence (summer). Marshy areas. Widespread.
Persicaria senegalensis
8
Up to 1 m. Branched. Leaves large, up to 250x60 mm. Flowers pink (Sep–May). Widespread in marshy areas, from southeast to north.
Commicarpus pentandrus
9
150–900 mm. Prostrate/scrambling herb. Flower head erect, flowers up to 15 mm diameter (summer). Widespread in dry areas.
1 HOTTENTOT’S FIG
Up to 150 mm diameter. Triangular-sided leaves up to 130x20 mm. Long trailing stems. Flowers white to cerise (Aug–Oct). Large, edible, juicy fruit. Coastal, from southwest to Namaqualand.
Similar
SOUR FIG C. edulis
Flower heads yellow, up to 120 mm diam (Aug–Oct).
At low altitudes.
NATAL CREEPING FIG C. dimidiatus
Leaves 80 mm long. Flower heads up to 120 mm diam, magenta. Coastal dunes, from southeast to Mozambique.
Cheiridopsis denticulata
2 T’NOUTSIAMA
Up to 150 mm. In small clumps. Leaves up to 110 mm long. Flower heads up to 70 mm diameter, on long stalks (Aug–Oct). In sand. Namaqualand, Richtersveld.
Conicosia pugioniformis
3 PIG’S ROOT
Up to 180 mm. Succulent, low-growing plant. Flower heads 80–130 mm diam, held on long stalks above leaves (Aug–Sep). Found singly or in large colonies. From southwest to Namaqua-land and Namibia.
Delosperma herbeum
4 HIGHVELD WHITE VYGIE
Up to 150 mm. Spreading succulent herb, up to 150 mm high. Flower heads up to 12 mm diameter, white (Sep–Mar). Grassland. Widespread.
Dorotheanthus bellidiformis
5 SAND VYGIE
Up to 80 mm. Annual. Leaves flat, shiny green, turning red. Flower heads up to 60 mm diameter, on long stalks, colour variable (Jul–Sep). Fruit soft with five valves. Sandy soil, from southwest to Namaqualand.
Drosanthemum bicolor
6 BI-COLOURED ICE PLANT
Up to 600x600 mm. Succulent shrublet. Leaves cylindrical. Flower heads up to 40 mm diameter (Aug–Sep). Southwest.
Drosanthemum hispidum
7 DEW PLANTS
Up to 200 mm. Leaves cylindrical, glistening, up to 20 mm long. Flower heads up to 30 mm diameter, on short stalks (Sep). Fruit a five-valved flat hard capsule. Flat, dry, sandy places, from south to Namibia.
Drosanthemum speciosum
8
Up to 300 mm high and 600 mm wide. Wiry stems, branches spreading, woody at base. Flower heads up to 50 mm diameter, colour varies from orange to red (spring). From southwest to Namaqualand.
1 DORINGVY
Up to 450 mm. Much-branched, flowering stems spiny, spines up to 50 mm long. Leaves succulent, less than 20 mm long. Flower heads up to 10 mm diameter (after rain). Fruit woody. Very common in arid areas, usually on shallow soils. Karoo, Namibia.
Lampranthus aureus
2 GOLDEN VYGIE
Up to 600x600 mm. Branches brown. Leaves with paler dots. Flower heads up to 40 mm diameter (Aug–Sep). Southwest.
Lampranthus suavissimus
3 VYGIEBOS
Up to 1 m. Shrub. Leaves up to 35 mm long. Flower heads up to 55 mm diameter (Aug–Sep). Near coast, Namaqualand.
Lithops ruschiorum
4 TRANSVAAL STONE PLANT
Singly or in clumps. Two “leaves” joined at base. Flower head up to 10 mm diameter (Mar–Apr). Widespread in north (only representative of this genus in north of South Africa; Lithops usually found in arid west).
Similar
5 Conophytum pellucidum
Found in arid west.
Psilocaulon junceum
6 ASBOS
Up to 1 m. Succulent shrub. Small, succulent leaves fall early, leaving scar. Flower heads up to 10 mm diameter, white to pink (Oct–Nov). Common in arid areas. Ash from plant used to make soap. Karoo.
Talinum caffrum
7 OSBOSSIE
Up to 200 mm. Herb with carrot-like root. Leaves up to 35 mm long, succulent. Flowers up to 15 mm diameter (Nov–Mar). Dry and rocky areas. Widespread.
Anacampseros lanceolata
8
Up to 60 mm. Leaves up to 30 mm long. Flowers up to 20 mm diameter (summer). Clumps on stony soils. Karoo, Namaqualand.
Silene burchellii
9 GUNPOWDER PLANT
Up to 500 mm. Slender herb. Calyx up to 20 mm long, flowers up to 10 mm diameter (Nov–Jan). Much-branched. Grassland. Widespread.
Silene undulata (=S. capensis)
10 GUNPOWDER PLANT
Up to 500 mm. Leaves in basal rosette, covered in sticky hairs. Flowers up to 25 mm diameter (Jul/Oct/Apr). Widespread in grassland, in high rainfall areas or near water, from southwest to north.
Dianthus mooiensis
11 WILD PINK
Up to 600 mm. Perennial herb. Flowers up to 35 mm diameter (Sep–Nov). Widespread in grassland.
1 SMALL YELLOW WATER LILY
Flower up to 30 mm diameter. Aquatic. Leaves usually smaller than those of Nymphaea species. Widespread in watercourses, from south to tropical Africa.
Nymphaea nouchali (=N. capensis)
2 WATER LILY
Flower up to 110 mm diameter. Aquatic. Leaves up to 250 mm diam. Flower petals up to 50 mm long, held above water, colour varies from deep to pale blue or pink (summer). Lovely scent. Widespread in slow-flowing rivers, lakes, pools.
Anemone fanninii
3 NATAL ANEMONE
Up to 1,5 m. Large leaves up to 600 mm wide, developing to full size after flowering. Flowers up to 90 mm diameter (Sep–Dec). Widespread in damp areas in mountains, from southeast to northeast and central areas.
Similar
CAPE ANEMONE A. tenuifolia
Smaller (up to 600 mm). Leaves up to 200 mm long, deeply incised, sharp-tipped. Flowers up to 100 mm diameter (Jun–Feb). Common after fires, from southwest to southeast.
Clematis brachiata
4 TRAVELLER’S JOY
Up to 5 m. Deciduous climber, no tendrils. Slender woody stems. Flowers up to 10 mm diameter, sweetly scented (Mar–Apr). Seed heads up to 50 mm diam. Coast to mountains, in open woodland and on forest margins. Widespread.
Clematis villosa
5 BUSH CLEMATIS
Up to 2 m. Shrub. Leaves and stems covered in soft hairs. Flowers up to 50 mm diameter, in terminal branched inflorescences (Jan–Feb). Seed heads very similar to (4) above. Dry grassland, rocky areas in northwest, Zimbabwe.
Heliophila coronopifolia
6 BLUE FLAX
Up to 600 mm. Leaves up to 130 mm long. Flowers up to 12 mm diameter (spring). From southwest to Namaqualand.
Cleome angustifolia
7
Up to 1.6 m. Annual. Flowers clustered terminally (Nov–Jun). In hot dry areas. Northern half of region.
Cleome hirta
8
Up to 1.5 m. Annual, rounded bush. Leaves sticky. Inflorescence up to 300 mm long (Jan–May). Dry areas. Northern half of region.
Drosera hilaris
9 SPRAWLING SUNDEW
Up to 250 mm long. Insectivorous. Leaves up to 70 mm long, in basal rosette. Flowers up to 20 mm diameter (Sep–Nov). Damp areas, mountain slopes in south.
Drosera cistiflora
10 SUNDEW
Up to 200 mm long. Leaves up to 30 mm long. Flowers large (Aug–Sep). Colour very variable. In sandy damp areas, from Namaqualand to southeast.
1 PIG’S EARS
Up to 1 m. Robust succulent. Very variable. Leaves up to 150 mm long, round or pencil-shaped, clustered at base. Flowering stem up to 450 mm long, flowers up to 25 mm long, pink to orange (winter). Leaves and flowers have waxy bloom. Widespread.
Crassula coccinea
2 RED CRASSULA
Up to 600 mm. Succulent. Stems branch near base. Leaves up to 25x15 mm. Flowers in terminal clusters (Dec–Jan). Mountains in southwest.
Crassula pyramidalis
3
Up to 80 mm. Dies after flowering (Aug–Sep). Widespread in arid areas in southwest, Karoo and Namaqualand.
Kalanchoe acinaciformis
4
Up to 2 m. Robust succulent maturing over 3–4 years, dying off after flowering. Inflorescence up to 400 mm diameter, flat, with masses of creamy white flowers (Jan–Jun). Open woodland, from east to north.
Kalanchoe thyrsiflora
5
Up to 1 m. Robust succulent maturing over 3-4 years, dying off after flowering. Large leaves at base up to 150x60 mm. Inflorescence up to 150 mm long (Feb–Jul). Grassland, rock outcrops, from southeast to north.
Kalanchoe rotundifolia
6 KALANCHOE
Up to 800 mm. Succulent. Singly or in large communities. Small inflorescence (May–Aug). Widespread, from southeast to north.
Brunia nodiflora
7 STOMPIE
Up to 900 mm. Shrub, from woody base. Leaves up to 3 mm long. Flower heads up to 10 mm diameter (Mar–Jun). Common on mountain slopes in south.
Grielum humifusum
8 DUIKERWORTEL
Stems up to 350 mm long. Prostrate herb. Flowers up to 50 mm diameter. Flat sandy areas, in large patches, from southwest to Namaqualand.
Rubus rigidus
9 BRAMBLE
Up to 2 m. Scrambling shrub. Stems have recurved prickles. Leaves have 3–5 leaflets, velvety white beneath. Flower petals shorter than sepals (Oct–Jan). Fruit orange, ripening black. Thicket, forest margins, from southeast to Zimbabwe.
Similar
AMERICAN BRAMBLE R. cuneifolius
White flowers. Seriously invasive alien in high rainfall areas.
Tylosema fassoglense
10 CREEPING BAUHINIA
Stems 3–6 m long. Prostrate creeper with enormous tuber. Stems have tendrils. Leaves bilobed, up to 150 mm wide. Flower petals up to 30 mm long (Oct–Jan). Woody pods with 2–3 seeds. Seeds and tuber edible, leaves browsed. Widespread, from northern half of region to Sudan.
Chaemocrista mimosoides (=Cassia mimosoides)
1 FISHBONE CASSIA
Up to 300 mm. Herb. Erect or prostrate, without woody root-stock. Up to 65 pairs leaflets, leaves touch-sensitive. Flowers up to 20 mm diameter, sepals brownish-red (Jan–Apr). Grassland, disturbed ground. Widespread.
Similar
C. comosa
Larger (up to 600 mm), with woody rootstock. 15–35 pairs leaflets. Flowers up to 35 mm diameter (spring to summer). Widespread in grassland.
Cyclopia genistoides
2 HONEY TEA
Up to 700 mm. Rounded shrublet, densely branched. Leaflet margins rolled back. Flowers up to 15 mm long (Jul–Dec). Tea made from young leaf tips. Widespread on flats and lower slopes in southwest.
Lotononis corymbosa
3
Up to 200 mm. Low-growing herb. Flowers Nov–Jan. Common in grassland, from southeast to north.
Lotononis lotononoides (=Buchenroedera lotononoides)
4
Up to 700 mm. Herbaceous shrublet. Flowers Dec–Jan. Common in Drakensberg mountains.
Pearsonia sessilifola
5
Up to 500 mm. Small shrublet, herbaceous from woody base. Leaflets silvery, usually stalkless. Narrow- and broader-leaved forms. Flowers small, in terminal heads, yellow becoming orange with age (Oct–Jan). Widespread in grassland, rocky areas, from east to north.
Similar
6 P. aristata
Larger leaflets. Flowers in lax terminal head (Nov–Mar). Pods flat.
Aspalathus carnosa
7
Up to 2 m. Shrub. Leaves needle-like, up to 10 mm long. Flowers up to 25 mm long, in terminal clusters (spring to summer). Sandy and rocky areas. Common in southwest.
Similar
A. spinosa
Spines longer than leaves. Flowers Aug–Apr. Very variable. Most widespread species, mainly at lower altitudes, from southwest to east.
Liparia splendens
8 MOUNTAIN DAHLIA
Up to 1 m. Spreading shrub. Leaves up to 50 mm long. Terminal inflorescences up to 80 mm diam (throughout year). Southwest.
Crotalaria globifera
9
Up to 900 mm. Shrublet. Leaflets up to 30x10 mm, finely hairy. Inflorescence up to 160 mm long, flowers turn coppery with age (Sep–Mar). Small, round, inflated pod, up to 13x7 mm. Common in grassland, from southeast to northeast.
Argyrolobium speciosum
10
Up to 400 mm. Perennial herb. Terminal inflorescences (Oct–Dec). From southeast to northeast.
1
Up to 300 mm. Low shrublet, 600 mm wide. 2–4 pairs leaflets, folded upwards from midrib, silky hairs beneath. Compact inflorescence, longer than leaves. Flower up to 12 mm long, buds with dark brown hairs, scented (Oct–Dec). Widespread in grassland, on rocky ground, from southeast to Zimbabwe.
Tephrosia grandiflora
2
Up to 1 m. Much-branched. Leaves greyish-green, 3–5 leaflets. Flowers up to 30 mm long, terminally borne (Aug–Dec). Woodland, common along roadsides, from southeast to north.
Sutherlandia frutescens
3 BALLOON PEA
Up to 1.8 m. Soft shrub. Many-stemmed from base. Up to 17 leaflets of 18 mm long. Flowers up to 50 mm long (Aug–Dec). Fruit inflated. Widespread, usually in dry areas.
Abrus precatorius
4 LUCKY BEAN CREEPER
Up to 2 m. Climber. Up to 10 pairs of leaflets. Flowers up to 10 mm long, mauve (Oct–Dec). Pods hairy when young, up to 30 mm long. Widespread in woodland throughout summer rainfall areas.
Mucuna coriacea
5 BUFFALO BEAN
Up to 2 m. Scrambling climber. Inflorescence up to 80 mm diam (Jan–May). Pods up to 80 mm long, velvety. Golden hairs on calyx and pods extremely irritating: dangerous to touch! Thicket, grassland and on disturbed soil in north.
Eriosema cordatum
6
Up to 150 mm. Prostrate herb with spreading stems. Leaflets up to 70 mm long, variable. Inflorescence held erect, above leaves (spring to summer). Widespread in grassland.
Similar
E. psoraleoides
Single-stemmed shrub up to 1.5 m tall, branching high up. Velvety leaves and stems, leaflets up to 60 mm long, blunt-tipped. Flowers pale yellow (Dec–Mar). Rounded pods up to 15 mm long. Grassland. Widespread, from east to north.
Sphenostylis angustifolia
7 WILD SWEETPEA
Up to 400 mm. Low-growing shrub. Flowers on stem held above leaves, scented (Oct–Jan). On rocky hillsides, grassland. Widespread, from central areas northwards.
Geranium incanum
8 CARPET GERANIUM
Up to 300 mm. Low-growing herb. Flower up to 30 mm diameter, petals dented at top, held above leaves, variable in colour (Oct–Dec). Popular garden plant. Widespread in damp areas in south.
Monsonia burkeana
9 NAALDBOSSIE
Up to 150 mm. Perennial herb. Leaves toothed. Petals up to 24 mm long with conspicuous veins, white, mauve to blue (spring). In grassland on sandy soils, rocky areas. Widespread.
1 CANDLE BUSH
Up to 400 mm. Low, succulent shrub. Stems thick, covered in spines. Stems contain large quantities of resin, highly flammable. Flowers up to 30 mm diameter, white to yellow (after rain). Widespread in arid areas, from south to Namibia.
Pelargonium cucullatum
2 WILD MALVA
Up to 2 m. Stems up to 50 mm thick, slightly woody at base. Leaves up to 45x60 mm, cup-shaped, margin slightly to angularly incised. Inflorescence with 4–10 flowers, pink to dark purple, flowers up to 50 mm diameter (throughout year). Faintly scented. Southwest coast.
Similar
P. inquinans
1–2 m. Rounded shrub. Leaves velvety, up to 120 mm diam. Scarlet flowers (spring) on 80–200 mm stems. Southeast.
Pelargonium luridum
3 WAVING PELARGONIUM
Inflorescence 600 mm to 1 m high. Herbaceous. Cluster of leaves at base. Leaves up to 270 mm diameter, stalks up to 300 mm long, margins ranging from entire to deeply incised, fernlike, often on same plant (entire leaves appear first). Up to 60 flowers, cream, yellow to pink (Sep–Apr). Widespread in grassland, from southeast to Zimbabwe.
Similar
HORSESHOE GERANIUM P. zonale
1–2 m. Shrub. Leaves up to 75 mm diameter, with purplish horseshoe mark on surface. Pink flowers (Aug–Sep).
Forest edge and thicket. Southeast.
NAMAQUALAND BEAUTY P. incrassatum
Up to 300 mm. In clusters. Leaves 140 mm, lobed and scalloped, with silvery hairs. Flowers in tight heads 75 mm diameter, pink to purple (Jul–Oct). Namaqualand.
Pelargonium peltatum
4 IVY-LEAVED GERANIUM
Leaves up to 70 mm diam. Climbing or trailing perennial. Leaves succulent, peltate (stalk inserted in middle of leaf), usually hairless. Inflorescence with up to nine flowers, white to pink, mauve (spring or throughout year). Coastal or succulent bush, from south to southeast.
Similar
P. capitatum
300–500 mm. Straggling low shrub. Leaves velvety. Flowers in dense heads, pinkish-red (all year). Southwest, south and southeast coast.
Oxalis pes-caprae
5 SORREL
Up to 400 mm. Perennial herb. Leaves in basal rosette, stalks up to 120 mm long. Flowering stem up to 200 mm long, up to 20 flowers, petals up to 25 mm long (May–Sep). Widespread, becoming a weed in places, from southwest to Namibia.
Oxalis semiloba
6 SORREL
Up to 150 mm. Perennial herb. Leaf size variable, depending on moisture. Flowers up to 25 mm diameter (Mar–Jun). Widespread, coast to mountains, from southeast to Zimbabwe.
Zygophyllum morgsana
7 TORTOISE BUSH
Up to 1.5 m. Shrub. Succulent leaves, divided in two, unpleasant scent when crushed. Flowers in pairs, at end of branches (Aug). Large winged fruit. Sandy and rocky places in arid areas, from south to Namibia.
1 FALSE BUCHU
200 mm to 1.2 m. Low-growing shrub. Leaves small, aromatic. Flowers Apr–Oct. Grassy mountain slopes, from south to east.
Sphedamnocarpus pruriens
2 CANARY NETTLE
Stems up to 3 m long. Slender climber. Leaves up to 50 mm long. Flowers up to 25 mm diameter, in clusters (Dec–Mar). Winged fruit, wing up to 15 mm long, rust-coloured, with itchy hairs. Scrub and woodland. Widespread, from east to Zimbabwe.
Polygala virgata
3 PURPLE BROOM
Up to 2 m. Herbaceous main stem, branching in upper third. Leaves narrow, up to 60 mm long. Flowers up to 20 mm wide, in drooping terminal spikes up to 250 mm long. Widespread on forest margins, in grassland, from southeast to Zimbabwe.
Similar
SKAAPERTJIE P. leptophylla
Smaller (up to 300 mm). Leaves up to 20x2 mm. Flowers up to 8 mm long, greenish-pink. Rocky areas on mountain slopes. Widespread in arid areas, from south to Namibia.
Nylandtia spinosa
4 SKILPADBESSIE
Up to 1x1 m. Much-branched shrub. Branches spine-tipped. Flowers up to 5 mm long (late winter to early spring). Edible berries. Sandy flats and rocky slopes. Widespread in south, also Namibia.
Euphorbia caput-medusae
5 MEDUSA’S HEAD
Radiating branches up to 300 mm long. Dwarf succulent, robust. Flowers Jul–Sep. Rock outcrops in southwest.
Euphorbia mauritanica
6 GIFMELKBOS
Up to 1 m. Much-branched shrub. Spineless, cylindrical branches. Leaves drop early. Inflorescences clustered at ends of stems. Widespread in arid areas of south, east and northwest.
Euphorbia stellaspina
7 STARRY-SPINED EUPHORBIA
Up to 450 mm diameter. Clumps, each branch up to 75 mm thick, with 10–16 angles, covered in 3–5 branched spines. Shallow, stony ground in Karoo, Namaqualand.
Euphorbia clavarioides
8 LION SPOOR
Up to 300x600 mm. Large, succulent “cushions”. On rock out-crops, mountains, from southeast to north.
Euphorbia epicyparissias
9 PISGOEDBOSSIE
Up to 1.2 m. Stems red. Leaves up to 40 mm long. Flowers in terminal clusters up to 80 mm diam (Jul–Feb). Often in large communities. Common in moist areas in mountains, from southeast to north.
1 HONEY FLOWER
Up to 2 m. Soft-stemmed shrub. Leaves up to 750 mm long, unpleasant smell when crushed. Terminal inflorescence up to 300 mm long. Flowers up to 25 mm long, heavily nectar-laden. Inflated pods. In south.
Similar
2 M. comosus
Inflorescences among leaves. Widespread except southeast.
Impatiens hochstetteri (=I. duthiae)
3 WILD BALSAM
Up to 400 mm. Soft herb. Leaves up to 80 mm long, stalk up to 50 mm long. Flowers in clusters of 1–3 (Dec–Feb). In damp conditions in forest. Widespread, from East London to Zimbabwe.
Phylica pubescens
4 FEATHERHEAD
Up to 2 m. Branched shrub. Branches and young leaves with silky hairs. Mature leaves up to 35 mm long, pale beneath, sometimes rolled under. Inflorescence up to 50 mm diameter (May–Aug). Lower mountain slopes in southwest.
Cissus quadrangularis
5
Up to 3 m. Succulent creeper/climber. Stem four-angled, to 50 mm diam with tendrils. Deeply lobed leaves occasionally present on new growth. Inflorescence up to 100 mm long (Oct–Nov). Fruit up to 8 mm diameter, red. Widespread in woodland in dry areas.
Sparrmannia africana
6 WILD HOLLYHOCK
2–6 m. Large woody shrub. Leaves up to 200 mm long, soft. Flowers up to 40 mm diameter, in terminal clusters (Jun–Nov). Moist areas on forest margins in southeast.
Anisodonea scabrosa
7 PINK MALLOW
Up to 2 m. Shrub. Leaves up to 75 mm long. Flowers up to 30 mm diameter (summer). Coastal areas, from southwest to east.
Hibiscus calyphyllus
8 WILD HIBISCUS
Up to 2 m. Scrambling shrub. Leaves up to 120 mm long, stalk up to 50 mm long, soft, velvety. Flowers up to 90 mm diameter (Nov–Apr). Grassland, thicket, often in shade. Widespread in summer rainfall areas.
Hibiscus praeteritus
9 DWARF RED HIBISCUS
Up to 1.5 m. Soft shrub. Flowers up to 25 mm diameter (summer). Arid areas, from north to northwest.
1 BROODBOS
Up to 600 mm. Low shrublet. Leaves up to 20 mm long, scalloped at tip. Flowers up to 10 mm long, yellow to red (after rain). Widespread in drier areas, from south to Namibia.
Tricliceras longipedunculatum (=Wormskioldia longipedunculata)
2 LION’S EYE
Up to 450 mm. Perennial herb. Flowers up to 30 mm diameter (Nov–Feb). Grassland. Widespread in north.
Begonia sutherlandii
3 WILD BEGONIA
Up to 1 m. Succulent herb. Forms colonies. Stems fleshy, green or red. Leaves up to 250x150 mm, usually much less, stalk up to 150 mm long. Terminal inflorescence, flowers up to 35 mm diameter (Nov–Mar). Fruit three-winged. Damp places in forest, from southeast to central Africa.
Saltera sarcocolla
4 VLIEËBOS
Up to 1 m. Shrub. Leaves leathery, rounded, overlapping. Terminal inflorescence with 1–6 flowers, sticky bracts (throughout year). Coastal areas, from Cape Peninsula to Bredasdorp.
Gnidia kraussiana (=Lasiosiphon kraussiana)
5 YELLOWHEAD
Up to 300 mm. Low shrublet. Leaves up to 25 mm long. Terminal inflorescence up to 40 mm diameter (Aug–Nov), scented. Grassland. Widespread in summer rainfall areas.
Dissotis princeps
6 ROYAL DISSOTIS
Up to 2 m. Shrub. Stems four-angled. Leaves large, velvety. Flowers large, purple, 50 mm diameter (Jan–Mar). Marshy areas inland. Widespread, from east to Zimbabwe.
Similar
WILD LASIANDRA D. canescens
Leaves smaller. Flowers up to 25 mm diameter, bright magenta.
Erica cerinthoides
7 RED HAIRY ERICA
Up to 1 m. Shrub. Leaves up to 6 mm long. Flowers up to 35 mm long, hairy, sticky, drooping downwards (Jul–Nov). Widespread, from south to north.
Erica massonii
8 MASSON’S HEATH
Up to 1 m. Shrub, spreading with age. Leaves up to 10 mm long, long hairs on margins. Flowers sticky, inflorescence with up to 22 flowers (Oct–May). Sandy and rocky areas over 1 000 m in southwest.
Erica viscaria
9
Up to 600 mm. Branches straight, sturdy. Flowers large (throughout year). Damp areas in southwest.
Erica sessiliflora
10
Up to 2 m. Shrub. Leaves up to 4 mm long. Flowers with fleshy sepals which swell around fruits, turning red and persisting on plant for years (Apr–Sep). Widespread in damp areas along coast and inland in south.
1
Up to 1.2 m. Shrub. Leaves up to 10 mm long. Flowers white to orange, pink, purple, green or red (Dec–Apr). Four dents at base of corolla tube. Widespread in south.
Erica ventricosa
2 WAX HEATH
Up to 2 m. Branches stout. Flowers in dense terminal clusters (Sep–Apr). Mountains in southwest.
Erica plukenetii
3
Up to 600 mm. Erect shrub. Leaves up to 20 mm long. Flowers up to 18 mm long, white to reddish-purple (throughout year). Widespread on flats and mountains, from Namaqualand to southeast.
Plumbago auriculata
4 PLUMBAGO
Up to 2 m. Scrambling shrub. Leaves up to 50 mm long. Terminal inflorescence up to 100 mm long, flowers up to 25 mm diameter, calyx sticky (summer). Widespread in hot, dry scrub and forest, from southeast to north.
Jasminum multipartitum
5 WILD JASMINE
Up to 3 m. Shrub. Leaves shiny, up to 35 mm long, very variable. Flowers up to 40 mm diameter (summer), lovely scent. Berries up to 10 mm diam. Thicket, woodland, rocky slopes in drier areas, from southeast to north and northeast.
Similar
J. stenolobum
Scrambling shrub, covered in soft hairs.
Chironia palustris
6 TRANSVAAL CHIRONIA
Up to 700 mm. Perennial herb. Flowers up to 25 mm diameter (Oct–Mar). Widespread in marshy areas, from southeast to Zimbabwe.
Similar
CHRISTMAS BERRY C. baccifera
Small, bright red berries.
Adenium obesum
7 IMPALA LILY
Up to 2 m. Deciduous succulent shrub. Stems smooth, grey, swollen. Leaves up to 100 mm long, shiny, bright green. Flowers up to 50 mm diameter (May–Sep). Twin pod with winged seeds. Hot, dry woodland, from northeast to tropical Africa.
Similar
SUMMER IMPALA LILY A. swazicum
Much smaller (up to 300 mm). Flowers plain pink, appearing with leaves (Jan–May). From east to north.
A. boehmianum
Smaller (up to 1.5 m). Flowers pink, with leaves. Namibia to Angola.
Pachypodium saundersii
8 KUDU LILY
Up to 1.5 m. Deciduous. Large swollen stem, long sharp spines. Leaves up to 70 mm long. Flowers up to 40 mm diameter (Apr–Jun). Dry, rocky mountains, from east to north and northeast.
Similar
P. succulentum
Smaller (up to 300 mm). Flowers deep pink and white. Arid, rocky places, from central areas to south.
Strophanthus speciosus
9 CORKSCREW FLOWER
Up to 3 m. Scrambling shrub. Leaves three-whorled, up to 100-x25 mm. Flower tube up to 10 mm, lobes up to 30 mm long (Sep–Dec), sweetly scented. Paired pods up to 180x15 mm. Forest margins, from southeast to north.
1 KHADI-ROOT
Up to 150 mm. Large tuber. Leaves velvety, up to 20 mm long. Flowers up to 10 mm diameter (Jul–Nov). Widespread in grassland, coast to highveld, throughout summer rainfall areas.
Microloma sagittatum
2 WAX CREEPER
Up to 1.8 m. Slender creeper. Leaves fleshy, slightly hairy, up to 25 mm long. Flower clusters of 3–9, flowers up to 7 mm long (Jul–Sep). Common, from south to Namaqualand.
Xysmalobium undulatum
3 BITTERHOUT
Up to 1 m. Perennial. Leaves up to 200 mm long, with wavy margins. Inflorescence up to 50 mm diameter, flowers cream to pink (Oct–Feb). Inflated fruit up to 100 mm long. Widespread in grassland throughout summer rainfall areas.
Pachycarpus grandiflorus
4
Up to 450 mm. Robust herb. Up to three stems, leaves thick, rough. Flowers up to 50 mm diameter, usually less (Nov–Mar). Slightly winged pod up to 90x25 mm. Grassland, from southeast to north.
Gomphorcarpus fruticosus
5 MILKWEED
Up to 1.5 m. Slender, erect shrub. Inflorescence hanging, up to 10 flowers (Dec–Mar). Large inflated pod up to 40x20 mm. Common in grassland and on disturbed ground throughout region.
Ceropegia ampliata
6 BUSHMAN’S PIPE
Flower up to 50 mm long. Succulent twining climber. Tiny leaves drop early. Flowers Dec–Apr. Dry thicket, rocky areas, from southeast to Zimbabwe.
Ceropegia nilotica
7 WHITE-BANDED CEROPEGIA
Flower up to 50 mm long. Slender creeper. Leaves up to 80x60 mm. Flowers very variable. Widespread, from north of region to tropical Africa.
Hoodia gordonii
8 GORDON’S HOODIA
Up to 450 mm. Stems up to 50 mm diameter, with 12–17 angles and brown spines. Flowers up to 100 mm diameter. From west to Namibia and Botswana.
Tavaresia barklyi (=Decabalone grandiflora)
9
Flower tube up to 75 mm long. Resembles a cactus but flowers identify it as a member of Asclepiadaceae. Unpleasant scent (summer). From central areas northwards.
Huernia hystrix
10 PORCUPINE HUERNIA
Up to 100 mm. Low-growing, spreading succulent. Five-angled stems. Flowers up to 50 mm diameter (summer). Widespread in dry areas, from southeast to Zimbabwe.
1 GIANT CARRION-FLOWER
Up to 200 mm. Succulent, branching at base. Flowers up to 400 mm diameter, unpleasant odour (Jan–May). Velvety twin pods up to 200 mm long. Large clumps in arid areas, from northeast to north.
Orbea lutea (=Caralluma lutea)
2 YELLOW CARRION-FLOWER
Up to 120 mm. Stems erect. Up to 17 flowers in clusters, colour reddish-brown to yellow, unpleasant odour (Jan–May). Widespread in scrub, grassland in northern half of region.
Merremia kentrocaulos
3
Flower up to 80 mm diameter. Twining stems climb to canopy or form spreading, prostrate mats. Leaves very variable. Flowers close by afternoon (Dec–Apr). Bushveld and savanna in north.
Similar
Xenostegia tridentata
Prostrate. Smaller, yellow flowers.
Ipomoea cairica
4 WILD MORNING GLORY
Flower up to 60 mm diameter. Prolific twining climber. Leaves up to 100 mm diameter. Flowers from Feb–Apr. Widespread at lower altitudes, especially riverine areas, from southeast to north and northeast.
Ipomoea oblongata
5
Flower up to 70 mm diam. Prostrate or scrambling creeper. Leaves up to 100x50 mm, yellowish hairs, held erect. Flowers Nov–Feb. Fruit does not split open. Widespread in summer rainfall areas, frequently on roadsides.
Similar
Ipomoea crassipes
Fruit splits open.
Codon royenii
6 PRICKLY BUSH
Up to 1.5 m. Shrub, covered in long spines. Flowers up to 30 mm long, 20 mm diameter. Sandy, rocky areas in Namibia, Namaqua-land and Richtersveld.
Trichodesma physaloides
7 CHOCOLATE BELLS
Up to 600 mm. Shrublet. Leaves up to 60 mm long. Flowers turn brown when touched (Aug–Oct, or after veld fires). Widespread in grassland, from east to Zimbabwe.
Lobostemon fruticosus
8 EIGHT-DAY HEALING BUSH
Up to 1 m. Much-branched shrub. Leaves up to 60x12 mm. Flowers hairy, up to 25 mm long, pink to blue (Aug–Oct). Sandy areas, from southwest to Namaqualand.
Chascanum hederaceum
9
Up to 300 mm high. Leaves up to 70 mm long, clustered on ground. Flowers 10 mm wide (Aug–Dec). Rocky areas and grassland, from east to Zimbabwe.
Rotheca hirsuta
10
Up to 600 mm. Shrublet. Leaves up to 40 mm long. Flowers up to 15 mm long (Aug–Mar). Grassland. Widespread in summer rainfall areas.
1 BUGLE-WEED
Up to 250 mm. Perennial herb. Leaves thick, up to 80x40 mm. Inflorescence up to 200 mm long, flowers up to 12 mm long (Sep–Apr). Grassland. Widespread in summer rainfall areas.
Leonotis ocymifolia (=L. dysophylla)
2 WILD DAGGA
Up to 3 m. Shrub. Leaves up to 150x85 mm, velvety, stalks up to 100 mm long. Inflorescence with flower clusters up to 70 mm diameter, flowers up to 45 mm long, held horizontally, dull orange (Feb–May). Grassland, rock outcrops, forest margins. Widespread. Variable, three subspecies.
Similar
L. leonurus
Leaves narrow, up to 100x20 mm, flowers held erect, bright orange.
Salvia africana-lutea
3 WILD SAGE
Up to 2 m. Much-branched shrub. Leaves aromatic, up to 35 mm long, hairy. Flowers up to 50 mm long (Jun–Dec). Coastal areas, from southeast to Namaqualand.
Pycnostachys urticifolia
4 HEDGEHOG BUSH
Up to 3 m. Shrub. Leaves up to 120x70 mm, stalk up to 50 mm long. Inflorescence up to 100x30 mm, flowers up to 20 mm long, deep bright blue (Apr–Jun). Marshy areas, forest margins, from north of region to Tanzania.
Similar
P. reticulata
Leaves narrow, without stalks. Flowers pale blue. Widespread in summer rainfall areas up to Tanzania.
Plectranthus saccatus
5 EDGING SPUR-FLOWER
Up to 1.25 m. Succulent shrublet. Leaves up to 70x50 mm. Inflorescence up to 120 mm long with few but large flowers, up to 30x12 mm (Jan–Apr). Forest margins, from southeast to northeast.
Plectranthus ecklonii
6 PURPLE SPUR-FLOWER
Up to 2 m. Soft shrub. Leaves large, aromatic, up to 170x 100 mm. Inflorescence up to 250 mm long, flowers up to 20 mm long (Mar–Apr). Forest, from southeast to northeast.
Syncolostemon densiflorus
7 PINK PLUME
Up to 2 m. Shrub. Stems woody at base, woolly, white. Leaves up to 15x10 mm. Inflorescence up to 160x65 mm, flowers up to 30 mm long (Nov–Apr). Widespread in grassland, forest margins, from southeast to northeast.
Becium obovatum
8 CAT’S WHISKERS
Up to 300 mm. Perennial herb. Leaves up to 40 mm long. Flowers up to 17 mm long (Aug–Nov). Grassland. Widespread in summer rainfall areas in east, from southeast to tropical Africa.
1 POISON APPLE
Up to 1 m. Shrublet. Stems and leaves with prickles. Flowers up to 25 mm diameter (Nov–Jan). Fruit up to 20 mm diameter. Widespread, especially on disturbed soil.
Aptosimum procumbens (=A. depressum)
2 KAROO VIOLET
Up to 1 m diameter “carpet”. Prostrate perennial. Flowers up to 20 mm long (Sep–Mar, after rain). Arid areas, from Namaqualand to Karoo, central areas and Botswana.
Diascia barberae
3
Up to 400 mm. Herb. Flowers up to 15 mm diameter (summer). Damp, rocky areas at high altitude, from southeast to Lesotho and escarpment.
Similar
D. integerrima
Smaller (up to 150 mm). Flowers up to 20 mm diameter (throughout summer).
Diascia longicornis
4 TWINSPUR
Up to 400 mm. Annual herb. Leaves up to 50x12 mm. Single flowers, up to 20 mm diameter (spring), spurs up to 20 mm long. Namaqualand.
Nemesia fruticans
5 NEMESIA
Up to 250 mm. Herb. Flowers small, colour variable (summer). Widespread in grassland.
Nemesia versicolor
6 LEEUBEKKIE
Up to 600 mm. Annual herb. Leaves up to 43x15 mm. Flowers up to 11 mm diameter, white and yellow, pink or blue, upper and lower petals sometimes the same colour (Jul–Nov). Sandy areas, from Namaqualand to southeast.
Nemesia strumosa
7 CAPE JEWELS
Up to 250 mm. Annual herb. Flowers up to 25 mm diameter, white, pink, orange, red (Sep–Oct). Well-known horticultural species. Sandveld in southwest.
Phygelius aequalis
8 RIVERBELL
Up to 1 m. Soft shrub. Angled stems. Leaves up to 100 mm long. Loose inflorescences with hanging flowers up to 40 mm long (Oct–Jan). On edge of streams at high altitudes. Widespread.
Similar
CAPE FUCHSIA P. capensis
Inflorescence more spread out. Flowers brighter coral red.
Jamesbrittenia burkeana
9
Up to 1 m. Perennial herb. Tiny leaves in tufts. Flowers to 12 mm diameter (Sep–Mar). Rocky areas, grassland, from northeast to north.
Jamesbrittenia grandiflora
10 SUTERA
Up to 1 m. Perennial. Leaves up to 30 mm long. Leaves and stems sticky to touch. Flowers up to 20 mm diameter (Jan–Jun). Rocky areas in mountains, from east to northeast.
Lyperia tristis
11
Up to 400 mm. Annual. Leaves up to 60x30 mm. Flowers up to 14 mm diameter, strongly scented at night (Aug–Dec). Widespread in dry, sandy areas, from southeast to Namibia.
Zaluzianskya pachyrrhiza (=Z. maritima)
1 DRUMSTICKS
Up to 450 mm. Perennial herb with carrot-like root. Leaves up to 70x19 mm. Flowers up to 50 mm long (lobes 10 mm), open at night and on overcast days, scented at night (Oct–Apr). Sandy grassland, mostly coastal areas, from southeast to northeast.
Zaluzianskya villosa
2
Up to 300 mm. Annual herb. Leaves fleshy, up to 35 mm long. Flower tube up to 20 mm long (Jun–Nov). Flat sandy areas. Widespread in south, Karoo, Namaqualand.
Hebenstreitia dura
3
Up to 600 mm. Multistemmed herb. Leaves up to 30 mm long. Inflorescence up to 50 mm long (throughout year). Grassland and rocky areas. Widespread in summer rainfall areas.
Similar
H. comosa
Leaves up to 60 mm long. Inflorescence elongated, up to 120 mm long, flowers heavily scented.
Pseudoselago serrata
4 BLUE HAZE
Up to 900 mm. Shrub. Leaves up to 25x10 mm. Flowers in dense heads up to 100 mm diameter (Oct–Feb). Widespread in mountains, from southwest to southeast.
Selagao geniculata
5
Up to 400 mm. Low-growing shrub. Leaves up to 10 mm long. Inflorescence up to 50 mm long, flowers small, white to pink, blue, purple. Low-lying ground and hills, from Namaqualand to southeast and central areas.
Graderia scabra
6 WILD PENSTEMON
Up to 600 mm. Low-growing shrub. Leaves to 30 mm long. Flowers to 30 mm diam (Sep–Nov). Grassland, rock outcrops, marshy areas, coast to mountains. Widespread in summer rainfall areas.
Sopubia simplex
7
Up to 500 mm. Semi-parasitic herb. Inflorescence up to 120 mm long (almost throughout year). Marshy areas, grassland. Widespread, from southeast to Botswana.
Similar
S. cana Leaves and stems covered in grey hairs.
Cycnium tubulosum
8 VLEI INK-PLANT
Up to 750 mm. Slender semi-parasite. Leaves up to 80 mm, margin toothed. Flowers 40 mm diameter (summer), turning black with age or damage. Marshy ground in summer rainfall area.
Harveya speciosa
9 INK-FLOWER
Up to 700 mm. Robust parasite. Leaves bract-like, yellow or reddish. Flowers 75 mm (Oct–Feb), turning black. Grassland. Southeast to north.
Similar
INK-PLANT Cycnium adonense
100–200 mm. Semi-parasite. Leaves up to 70 mm. Flowers white, turning black, 50 mm (Dec–Jan). Grassland. North and northeast.
Podronaea ricasoliana
10 PORT ST JOHN’S CREEPER
Flower tube up to 50 mm long. Climber, up to canopy. Flowers in terminal clusters, in profusion (Apr–Jun). Well-known garden plant from Port St John’s area in southeast.
Similar
ZIMBABWE CREEPER P. brycei
Smaller, darker, more hairy flowers. Zimbabwe.
1 WILD FOXGLOVE
Up to 1.5 m. Bi-annual herbaceous shrub. Leaves up to 50 mm long, aromatic. Flowers up to 75 mm long (Oct–May). Common, especially on disturbed ground, from southeast to Zimbabwe.
Dicerocaryum eriocarpum (= D. zanguebarium)
2 DEVIL THORN
Stems up to 1 m long. Prostrate, trailing herb. Flowers up to 35 mm long (Nov–Jan). Fruit flat with two sharp, hard spines. Widespread on sandy or rocky grassland, from east to north and northwest.
Streptocarpus primulifolius
3 STREPTOCARPUS
Up to 180 mm. Perennial herb. Rosette of leaves, up to 100x 40 mm. Flowers up to 50 mm wide (Dec–Apr). Capsules twisted, up to 180x2 mm. Thicket, forest, south-facing slopes on damp soils, rock faces, from southeast to northeast.
Similar
S. cyaneus
Leaves up to 300 mm, partly erect. 1–6 flowers, 35–50 mm, mauve, yellow on floor of tube (Oct–Feb). East and northeast.
S. gardenii
Leaves up to 300 mm, purple beneath, 1–6 flowers up to 50 mm, pale violet, tube greenish (Nov–Apr). East and southeast.
Streptocarpus dunnii
4 RED NODDING-BELLS
Up to 150 mm. Single, very large leaf, up to 600 mm long. Dense inflorescence. Flowers up to 30 mm long (Nov–Feb). Damp rocky areas at high altitude in east.
Similar
S. vandeleurii
Single leaf up to 400 mm, tip dying back, margin not lobed. Flowers white. Quartzite ridges in central area.
S. polyanthus
1–3 leaves up to 240 mm. Flowers open a few at a time, pale violet, keyhole-shaped throat opening (Jul–Feb). East and northeast.
S. confuses
Single leaf, purplish beneath. Flowers 25 mm, pale violet (Oct–Mar). East and northeast.
S. daviesii
Single large leaf with small leaf at base. Flowers 45 mm, violet, calyx bell-like (Dec–Mar). East.
Thunbergia alata
5 BLACK-EYED SUSAN
Up to 3 m. Creeper. Leaves slightly hairy. Flowers up to 40 mm diam, colour varies, cream to orange (summer). Damp areas, thicket, forest margins, from southeast to tropical Africa.
Thunbergia natalensis
6 DWARF THUNBERGIA
Up to 600 mm. Erect herb. Flowers up to 50 mm long (Aug–Mar). Forest margins, grassland, from southeast to Zimbabwe.
Thunbergia atriplicifolia
7
Up to 400 mm. Flowers pale creamy yellow (summer). Common in grassland.
Barleria obtusa
8 BUSH VIOLET
Up to 2 m. Scrambling shrub. Flowers up to 25 mm diam (Mar–Jun). Grassland, scrub, from southeast to north.
Barleria albostellata
9 GREY BARLERIA
Up to 1.5 m. Woody shrub, covered in white hairs. Large grey-green leaves. Dense, robust inflorescence (Jan–Mar). Woodland in north.
1
Up to 300 mm. Low-growing, spiny, perennial herb. Leaves up to 50 mm long, spine-tipped. Flowers up to 20 mm long, bracts spine-tipped (Oct–Jan). Grassland, from east to central areas and north.
Crossandra zuluensis
2 CROSSANDRA
Up to 300 mm. Perennial herb. Leaves up to 100 mm long, stalkless. Flowers up to 40 mm wide, bracts up to 30 mm, hairless, margins spiny (Oct–Jan). Bushveld, rocky grassland, from east to Zimbabwe.
Similar
C. greenstockii
Smaller flowers, hairy bracts, often entire.
Asystasia gangetica
3 CREEPING FOXGLOVE
Up to 500 mm. Spreading, low-growing perennial, sometimes scrambling. Leaves up to 65x30 mm. Flowers up to 20 mm wide (summer). Widespread, grassland, forest margins, disturbed areas, from southeast to Botswana, Namibia.
Ruspolia hypocrateriformis
4 RED RUSPOLIA
Up to 1.5 m. Soft, spreading shrub. Flowers to 20 mm diameter (Feb–May). Forest margins, dry woodland, rocky hillsides in north.
Hypoestes aristata
5 RIBBON BUSH
Up to 1.5 m. Softly woody perennial shrub. Leaves up to 50 mm long. Terminal inflorescences, flowers up to 25 mm long (May–Jul). Forest margins, dry rocky hillsides, from southeast to Zimbabwe.
Justicia flava
6
Up to 500 mm. Perennial herb. Summer-flowering. Grassland, bushveld, from east to Zimbabwe.
Pentanisia prunelloides
7
Up to 400 mm. Perennial herb. Inflorescence up to 35 mm diam (Aug–Dec, especially after fires). Widespread in summer rainfall areas.
Scabiosa columbaria
8 WILD SCABIOSE
Up to 800 mm. Perennial. Rosette of leaves at base, leaves very variable, incised or not, up to 100 mm long. Inflorescence up to 50 mm diameter (Aug–Mar). Grassland. Widespread, from southwest to Zimbabwe.
1 WILD CUCUMBER
Fruit up to 90x50 mm. Annual, prostrate creeper. Leaves up to 100 mm long. Fruit yellow when ripe, hairless (summer). Widespread on floodplains and disturbed areas in Namaqualand, Karoo, Botswana.
Momordica balsamina (=M. involucrata)
2
Up to 1,5 m. Perennial, herbaceous creeper with tendrils. Leaves 60–90 mm long. Separate male and female flowers, lobes up to 24 mm long (summer), unpleasant scent. Fruit up to 50x30 mm. Widespread.
Lagenaria sphaerica (=L. mascarena)
3
Fruit up to 100 mm long. Strong climber, to canopy. Leaves thick, up to 180 mm long. Separate male and female plants. Flowers up to 80 mm diameter (Feb–Apr). Hard green fruits. Riverine vegetation, from southeast to tropical Africa.
Roella ciliata
4
Up to 400 mm. Sparsely branched. Flowers up to 50 mm diameter (summer). Mountain slopes, coastal areas in southwest.
Wahlenbergia undulata
5 GIANT BELL FLOWER
Up to 600 mm. Herb. Leaves up to 35 mm long. Flowers up to 40 mm diameter (Nov–Apr). Grassland. Widespread.
Similar
6 W. prostrata
Smaller (up to 200 mm). Leaves up to 14 mm long. Flowers up to 20 mm diameter (Aug–Sep). Common in Namaqualand.
Lobelia coronopifolia
7 WILD LOBELIA
Up to 450 mm. Much-branched herb. Flowers up to 25 mm long (throughout year, mostly summer). Widespread in grassland, on moist soils, from southwest to north.
Monopsis decipiens (=Lobelia decipiens)
8 BUTTERFLY LOBELIA
Up to 350 mm. Sparsely branched herb. Leaves narrow, up to 10 mm long. Flowers up to 20 mm long (summer, after rain). Grassland, marshy areas. Widespread.
Vernonia oligocephala
9
Up to 1 m. Perennial herb. Leaves up to 40x25 mm, silky silvery beneath. Flower heads up to 10 mm wide, in flat inflorescence (summer). In grassland throughout region.
Vernonia hirsuta
10 WILD HELIOTROPE
Up to 1 m. Perennial herb. Leaves 80x50 mm or more, upper surface rough, woolly white beneath. Large, flattened inflorescences (Aug-Dec). Grassland, scrub, forest margins above 1 900 m. Widespread.
1 KINGFISHER DAISY
Up to 200 mm. Annual herb. Leaves up to 30x6 mm. Flower head up to 40 mm diameter (after rain). Common in Namaqualand.
Felicia filifolia
2 WILD ASTER
Up to 1 m. Much-branched perennial. Leaves needle-like, in tufts, up to 25 mm long. Flower head up to 20 mm diameter. Common on boulder beds in mountains, rocky and disturbed areas. Widespread.
Phaenocoma prolifera
3 PINK EVERLASTING
Up to 600 mm. Woody, erect shrub. Tiny leaves. Flower heads with shiny pink or white bracts (Sep–Apr). Fynbos in southwest.
Syncarpha eximia (=Helipterum eximium)
4 STRAWBERRY EVERLASTING
Up to 2 m. Leaves and stems velvety. Flowers midsummer to March. Widespread on south-facing mountain slopes, from south to Tsitsikamma.
Syncarpha vestita (=Helichrysum vestitum)
5 FELTED EVERLASTING
Up to 1 m. Woolly shrub, much-branched. Leaves up to 800 mm long at base of bush, smaller closer to flower heads. Flower heads up to 50 mm diameter (Nov–Jan). From southwest to Knysna.
Helichrysum adenocarpum
6 PINK EVERLASTING
Up to 500 mm. Perennial. Leaves in basal rosette, leaves up to 40 mm long. Flower heads up to 35 mm diameter (Jan–Apr). Widespread in grassland, from southeast to Zimbabwe.
Helichrysum cooperi
7
Up to 750 mm. Erect annual. Branched inflorescence (summer). Widespread in grassland and on disturbed ground in summer rainfall areas.
Helichrysum herbaceum
8 MONKEY TAIL EVERLASTING
Up to 250 mm. Herb. Leaves grey-green. Flower heads shiny golden yellow (throughout year). Grassy mountain slopes, coast and inland, from south to Zimbabwe.
Helichrysum nudifolium
9
Up to 600 mm long. Leaves large, in basal rosette. Flowers Aug–Jan. Grassland. Widespread, from southeast to Zimbabwe.
Athrixia phylicoides
10 BUSH TEA
Up to 1 m. Much-branched. Leaves up to 30 mm long, shiny dark green above, woolly white beneath. Flower heads up to 15 mm diameter (May–Nov). Scrub, woodland, grassland. Widespread, from southeast to Zimbabwe.
Callilepis laureola
11 OX-EYE DAISY
Stems up to 400 mm long. Multistemmed perennial. Leaves up to 60 mm long. Flower heads up to 60 mm diameter (Sep–Dec, or after fires). Widespread in grassland in summer rainfall areas.
1 WILD ROSEMARY
Up to 1 m. Shrub. Leaves alternate, aromatic. Flower heads up to 10 mm diameter (May–Sep). Widespread in rocky areas, mainly near coast, from south to Namaqualand.
Similar
KAPOKBOS E. ericoides
Leaves opposite, up to 3 mm long. Seeds covered in white wool. Widespread in south, central areas and Namibia.
Hymenolepis parviflora (=Athanasia parviflora)
2 COULTER BUSH
Up to 1.3 m. Sturdy shrub. Leaves up to 70 mm long. Inflorescence up to 100 mm diameter, strongly scented (Nov–Dec). Widespread, from Namaqualand to southeast.
Cotula barbata
3 BUTTON FLOWERS
Up to 180 mm. Annual herb. Leaves up to 40 mm long. Flower heads up to 10 mm diameter (Jul–Sep). Sandy areas, from southwest coast to Namaqualand.
Cotula turbinata
4 GANSKOS
Up to 400 mm. Annual. Leaves soft, velvety. Flower heads up to 30 mm diameter, stalk up to 90 mm long (Jun–Dec). Flower head depressed in centre, small rays sometimes present. Widespread in south.
Pentzia incana
5 ANCHOR KAROO
500 mm to 1 m. Densely branched shrub. Leaves up to 6 mm long, bitter smelling. Flower heads up to 8 mm diam. Widespread in arid and rocky areas.
Senecio barbertonicus
6 SUCCULENT BUSH SENECIO
Up to 2 m. Scrambling, succulent shrub. Leaves cylindrical, up to 80x8 mm, stems shiny yellowish. Flowers sweetly scented (Jul–Sep). Rocky grassland, bushveld, from east to Zimbabwe.
Senecio elegans
7 WILD CINERARIA
Up to 1 m. Annual herb. Leaves up to 75 mm long, fleshy near coast. Flower heads up to 25 mm diameter (Jul–Mar). Sandy coastal areas, lower mountain slopes, Namaqualand to southeast.
Similar
S. speciosus
Found in summer rainfall areas, rosette of very large fleshy leaves at base.
Senecio tamoides
8 CANARY CREEPER
Up to 20 m (canopy). Succulent creeper. Leaves up to 70 mm long. Inflorescence up to 130 mm diam. Flower head to 20 mm diameter (Apr–Jul). Forest, from southeast to Zimbabwe.
Similar
S. macroglossus
Large, daisy-like flower heads up to 35 mm diameter, not in large inflorescence.
Kleinia fulgens (=Senecio fulgens)
9 POM-POM
Up to 300 mm. Succulent herb. Leaves clustered towards base, glaucous grey to green. Flower head to 30 mm diameter (winter). Bushveld, rocky hillsides, from east to north.
1 CLANWILLIAM DAISY
Up to 1 m. Branched shrub. Leaves up to 140 mm long. Flower heads up to 80 mm diameter (spring). Southwest.
Euryops abrotanifolius
2 GEEL MAGRIET
Up to 2 m. Single-stemmed shrub. Leaves up to 90x1,5 mm, crowded towards top of stem. Flower heads up to 50 mm diameter, sometimes clustered (Jan–Dec, after fires). Sandy and rocky areas, coast to mountain slopes in southwest.
Dimorphotheca sinuata
3 NAMAQUALAND DAISY
Up to 300 mm. Annual herb. Leaves up to 50 mm long. Flower heads 50-80 mm diameter, singly (Jul–Sep). Widespread in sandy areas, from Clanwilliam to Namibia.
Dimorphotheca pluvialis
4 RAIN DAISY
Up to 300 mm. Annual herb, branching from base. Leaves up to 70 mm long. Flower heads up to 70 mm diameter, singly (Jul–Sep). From southwest to Namaqualand and Namibia.
Dimorphotheca cuneata
5 BRIDE’S BOUQUET
Up to 1 m. Perennial rounded bush. Leaves up to 20 mm long, clustered towards tops of stems, aromatic. Ray florets coppery beneath; flower heads close at night, reopening next day (Jul–Sep). From south to central areas and Botswana.
Osteospermum jucunda
6 BERGBIETOU
Up to 450 mm. Spreading herb. Leaves up to 60 mm long. Flower head up to 50 mm diameter (Aug–Mar). Rocky grassland. Widespread in summer rainfall areas.
Osteospermum pinnatum
7
Up to 400 mm. Annual herb, erect or spreading. Leaves to 30 mm long. Flower head up to 50 mm diameter (Jul–Sep). Sandy areas in Namaqualand, Karoo, Namibia.
Ursinia cakilefolia
8
Up to 250 mm. Annual herb. Leaves up to 60 mm long. Flower heads up to 35 mm diameter (Jul–Sep). Southwest.
Similar
U. sericea
Larger (up to 600 mm). Leaves grey-green. Flowers Sep–Feb.
Arctotis diffusa (=A. canescens)
9
Up to 550 mm. Bushy annual herb. Flower heads up to 50 mm diameter, white to yellow or pale orange (Jul–Sep). Sandy areas in Namaqualand.
Arctotis fastuosa
10
Up to 600 mm. Annual herb. Leaves up to 150 mm long. Flower heads singly, up to 60 mm diameter (Jul–Sep). Widespread in sandy areas, from Namaqualand to Namibia.
1 BOTTERGOUSBLOM
Up to 250 mm. Perennial herb. Leaves up to 160 mm long, with silvery hairs. Flower head up to 55 mm diameter (Jul–Sep). Namaqualand.
Gorteria diffusa
2 BEETLE DAISY
Up to 300 mm. Prostrate annual. Leaves up to 50 mm long. Flower heads singly, up to 35 mm diameter (Jul–Sep). Arid areas, from southwest to Namaqualand.
Gazania krebsiana
3 BOTTERBLOM
Up to 150 mm. Perennial herb. Leaves up to 160 mm long, woolly white beneath, shape simple to lobed. Flower head up to 60 mm diameter, singly, colour varies (Jul–Sep). Widespread, from south to Botswana.
Gazania lichtensteinii
4
Up to 200 mm. Annual herb. Leaves up to 40 mm long. Flower heads to 40 mm diameter (Jul–Sep). South, north and Namibia.
Berkheya zeyheri
5
Up to 900 mm. Leaves to 80 mm long. Flower head to 90 mm diameter (Oct–Jan). Grassland. Widespread in summer rainfall areas.
Didelta spinosa
6 PERDEBOS
Up to 2 m. Shrub. Leaves up to 70x60 mm, slightly succulent. Flower head 40–70 mm diameter (Jul–Sep). Sandy and rocky areas, from Namaqualand to Namibia.
Macledium zeyheri
7 DICOMA
Up to 300 mm. Perennial shrublet. Leaves up to 120 mm long, woolly white beneath. Flower heads up to 50 mm diameter (Dec–May). Rocky, hilly areas, from east to north.
Gerbera jamesonii
8 BARBERTON DAISY
Up to 400 mm. Perennial herb. Leaves up to 300 mm long. Flower head up to 80 mm diameter (Aug–Dec). Well-known garden plant with many horticultural varieties. Rocky areas in north.
Similar
HILTON DAISY G. aurantiaca
Midlands in East.
Gerbera ambigua (=G. kraussii)
9
Up to 300 mm. Perennial herb. Leaves up to 80 mm long. Flower heads up to 60 mm diameter (Aug–Nov). Widespread in grassland in summer rainfall areas.
