September

What’s flowering in September?


GERANIACEAE Pelargonium myrrhifolium fruticosum Wit malva Flowers from September to November.	ORCHIDACEAE Satyrium carneum Rooikappie; Rooi-trewwa A robust plant with 2 basal leaves on the ground and several others gradually reducing in size up the flowering stem. Frequent on sand dunes. They flower for a short period in September – striking pink and easy to spot.

IRIDACEAE Babiana nana Flowers from September to October more or less in the pathway.	IRIDACEAE Babiana tubiflora Bobbejaantjie Flowers are either uniformly creamy-white, or with red marks on the lower tepals. Flowering from September to October, seen often on the edges of the pathways.

SCROPHULARIACEAE Manulea thyrsiflora Vingertjies Densely hairy shrub to 1 m. Leaves toothed, greenish to golden yellow flowers with a yellow patch in back of throat, turning brown. Flowering from August to October in coastal dune scrub.	ASTERACEAE Dimorphotheca pluvialis Rain daisy Large patches of white Rain daisies are seen in spring. The yellow daisies that flower from July to October are most likely Arctotheca calendula or Cape weed, an aromatic annual herb. Flowers from October to December.

EUPHORBIACEAE Euphorbia mauritanica Geel Melkbos The yellow tips of these bushes make a striking display from August to October. The plant contains a sticky latex which is usually poisonous or highly irritant.	EUPHORBIACEAE Euphorbia caput-medusae Medusa’s head; Vingerpol A sprawling shrublet with warty, club-shaped branches. It flowers from September to November.

AIZOACEAE Ruschia macowanii Pers vygiebos A round succulent bush covered in mauve flowers (vygies). Flowers from August to October.	AIZOACEAE Jordaaniella dubia Helder kruip vygie This creeping plant,with bright yellow flowers. has vertical succulent leaves like pencils mostly the same length.

NEURADACEAE Grielum grandiflorum Desert primrose; Duikerwortel This annual herb flowers from August to October, but the leaves are visible for much longer, forming a grey-green mat.	SCROPHULARIACEAE Nemesia affinis Cape snapgragon; Leeubekkie An annual herb which flowers from August to November. The flower has 2 lips: the upper has 4 lobes and the lower 2. Often found with yellow Senecios.

ASTERACEAE Metalasia muricata Blombos Flowers here from August to November. The bushes of up to 1.5 m are covered in white flowerheads and create a very prominent display.	ASTERACEAE Eriocephalus racemosus Kapokbos; Wild Rosemary An erect grey-silky shrub of 1.5 m. Has a fragrance similar to rosemary when touched and an important source of aromatic essential oils for perfumes. The small white flowers turn woolly after a while and the shrub has a snowy, or cotton wool appearance. Eriocephalus means woolly head. Can be seen from August to October.

ARACEAE Zantedeschia aethiopica Arum lily; Varkblom The striking white “flower” is not a true flower, but a spathe. The true flowers are the yellow spikes: Male flowers at the top and females below. They flower from July to September.	ORCHIDACEAE Pterygodium volucris These plants grow from underground root tubers and appear here only under the Pelargonium gibbosum bushes. They are about 15 to 20 cm tall and bear greenish yellow flowers in spring.

ASTERACEAE Felicia tenella Astertjies They flower from August to November and are abundant on coastal dunes of the South Western Cape. Blue, violet or white ray petals. Felicia meaning Happy and Tenella meaning Slender.	SCROPHULARIACEAE Zaluzianskya villosa Drumsticks; Verfblommetjie Hairy branched annual which flowers from June to November. Frequent in sandy places on flats and slopes. Certain species are used as dyes.

POLYGALACEAE Muraltia Spinosa Skilpadbessie An attractive, spiny shrub with lateral branches. It is covered in small pink or white pea flowers that develop into dark orange edible berries in summer. As early as 1685 when Simon vd Stel travelled to Namaqualand they were reported to be thirst-quenching. Flowers from August to October.	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.

ZYGOPHYLLACEAE Zygophyllum flexuosum Spekbos This plant is similar to morgsana with smaller leaves and flowers. The flower petals are reflexed.	SOLANACEAE Lycium ferocissimum Slangbessie Thorny shrub of up to 2 m, flowering from July to October. The red berries which appear towards November are edible.

AIZOACEAE Carpobrotus edulis Sour fig; Suurvy A trailing succulent which grows like a ground cover. It flowers throughout summer. The flowers start off yellow and turn pink with age. The fruit, once dried, is used to make jam.	ASTERACEAE Osteospermum monilifera Tickberry; Bietou These bushes of up to 2m are covered in yellow daisy-like flowers from March to November. Some say they smell like chocolate. This is followed by red or black edible berries, which we believe were an important Khoi food.

Flowering Plants

September

What’s flowering in September?