December

What’s flowering in December?


ASTERACEAE Helichrysum patulum Related to Kooigoed A herb which flowers from November to January. It is known by its distinct soft grey foliage. Has a very spicy fragrance when touched.	PLUMBAGINACEAE Limonium purpuratum Sea lavender; Papierblom This grows only on the sandy West Coast. A tufted shrublet with smooth, paddle-shaped leaves. It bears clusters of mauve, papery flowers from November to January. Very sought after as a cut flower. Has been hybridized into pot plants and cut flowers all over the world especially Australia and New Zealand.

ASTERACEAE Helichrysum revolutum Another grey spicy herb about 1 m in height with flowers turning downwards. The foliage is not as soft as the other Helichrysums. Some Helichrysum species are called Curry plants.	FABACEAE Otholobium bracteolatum Skaapbostee A perennial shrub of about 1.5 m with trifoliate leaves. It bears bright blue peaflowers in tight clusters.

ASTERACEAE Oncosiphon suffruticosum Stinkweed Huge clusters of tiny yellow flower heads are seen from September to January. Slightly foetid-smelling when bruised. Often found in waste ground.	MALVACEAE Hermannia Poprosie (Dolls’ Rose) Flowers from September to January. They are known as the porcelain bells of South Africa. They grow from an underground rootstock which helps them to survive droughts and fires. There are 4 different species of Hermannia on this walk - all have nodding flowerheads. The flowers of this one have smaller openings and are yellow, but turn orange after being pollinated.

SCROPHULARIACEAE Manulea thyrsiflora Vingertjies This perennial bush of about 60cm is found near the R27. Flowers in spring from September to December displaying greenish to golden yellow flowers in upright clusters.	CRASSULACEAE Cotyledon orbiculata Plakkie; Dog’s ear A succulent shrublet with velvety leaves. It bears clusters of nodding, tubular flowers with a dull red colour. Flowers from October to December. Very easy to grow. Pollinated by birds and bees.

APIACEAE Annesorhiza macrocarpa Wilde anyswortel This is a perennial of 1.6 m. They start flowering in September, and leaves are absent during flowering period. The flowers are usually showy and pale yellow.	SCROPHULARIACEAE Selago Bitter bush; Aarbossie Small shrubs of about 30 cm with clusters of tiny white flowers. They flower for a few months, starting late spring. The vernacular “aarbossie” refers to the preference of the shrubs to situations overlying arterial water.