January

What’s flowering in January?


MALVACEAE Hermannia ternifolia Poprosie; Doll’s 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 Prof Carl Herman, a German botanist, starting collecting them in 1670.	APIACEAE Annesorhiza macrocarpa Wilde anyswortel This is a perennial of 1.6 m. These are the seeds. They start ﬂowering in September. The leaves are absent during ﬂowering period. The ﬂowers are a showy and pale yellow (seen left); the seeds seen right.

CRASSULACEAE Tylecodon grandiﬂorus Rooisuikerblom or Bandjiesbos A succulent shrublet of 50 cm, often sprawling. Leaves mostly dry when ﬂowering. It resembles ribbons tied to the end of a stick. A very poisonous plant.	FABACEAE Otholobium bracteolatum Skaapbostee A perennial shrub of about 1.5 m with trifoliate leaves. It bears bright blue peaﬂowers in tight clusters.

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.

AMARYLLIDACEAE Euclea racemosa Kersbos Compact shrublet with thick, leathery leaves. Flowers are small, bell-shaped and creamy white in colour. Flowers from December to March.