SANBI - 2021 Strelitzia 44

S T R E L I T Z I A 44
Photographic guide to the
wild flowers
of the Limpopo Province
by
Sylvie Kremer-Köhne
School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences,

University of the Witwatersrand,
Johannesburg, Private Bag 3, Wits 2050, South Africa
A peer-reviewed publication of the

South African National Biodiversity Institute
Pretoria
2021
S TRELITZIA
This series has replaced Memoirs of the Botanical Survey of South Africa and Annals of the Kirst-
enbosch Botanic Gardens which the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) inherited
from its predecessor organisations.
The plant genus Strelitzia occurs naturally in the eastern parts of southern Africa. It comprises three
arborescent species, known as wild bananas, and two acaulescent species, known as crane flowers or
bird-of-paradise flowers. The logo of SANBI is partly based on the striking inflorescence of Strelitzia
reginae, indigenous to the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal that has become a garden favourite world-
wide. It symbolises the commitment of SANBI to champion the exploration, conservation, sustainable
use, appreciation and enjoyment of South Africa’s exceptionally rich biodiversity for all people.
EDITOR: Alicia Grobler

PROOFREADER: Nicole Meyer
DESIGN & LAYOUT: Elizma Fouché
Suggested citation
KREMER-KÖHNE, S. 2021. Photographic guide to the wild flowers of the Limpopo Province.
Strelitzia 44. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria & South African Environ-
mental Observation Network, Pretoria.
ISBN: 978-1-928224-53-2
Obtainable from: SANBI Bookshop, Private Bag X101, Pretoria, 0001 South Africa
Tel.: +27 12 843 5000
E-mail: sanbibookshop@sanbi.org.za
Website: www.sanbi.org
Printed by: Harry’s Printers Tshwane, 69 Pretorius Street, Pretoria, 0002, South Africa.
Tel. no.: +27 12 3264514. Website: www.harrysprinters.com
Copyright © 2021 by South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI)
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission of the copyright
owners.
The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of SANBI. The author and publisher have made their
best efforts to prepare this book, and make no representation or warranties of any kind with regard to the completeness
or accuracy of the contents herein. All images in this book have been reproduced with the knowledge and prior consent
of the artists concerned and no responsibility is accepted by the publisher or printer for any infringement of copyright or
otherwise arising from the contents of this publication. Every effort has been made to ensure that the credits accurately
comply with the information supplied by the author. Although great care has been taken regarding accuracy of the
information, SANBI, the author and the funders do not assume responsibility for any harm resulting from the medicinal
use of any plants described in this publication.
This publication (see recommended citation above) is defined and

proudly presented as a joint publication venture between the South
African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) and the South Afri-
can Environmental Observation Network (SAEON).
In memory of
Sonnette Krynauw
1962–2010
and her passion for the flora of northeastern South Africa
Eucomis sonnetteana. Artist: Gill Condy.

S TRELITZIA 44 (2021) v
CONTENTS
Foreword. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vi
Acknowledgements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vii
The South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . viii
Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Scope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Background . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Geology and climate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Vegetation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
How to use this book. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Arrangement of species . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Species names. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Species descriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Geographical distribution. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Template for species descriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Family descriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Species descriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
White/cream . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Yellow. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Orange/red/pink . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Blue/purple/mauve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Green. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Brown. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Glossary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291
References. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
Quick guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Index. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 342
vi S TRELITZIA 44 (2021)
FOREWORD
South Africa is a well-known global biodiversity and, especially, floral hotspot. While the Cape flora
has been explored since the early 17th century, the flora of the northern part of the country was only
investigated from the 19th century onwards, and this part of South Africa remains comparatively
under-botanised. Historically, botanical information was confined to scientific literature, mostly una-
vailable to and impossible to understand by the general public. To make the rich and varied flora of
northeastern South Africa more accessible to laypersons, illustrated books on wild flowers covering,
inter alia, today’s Limpopo Province started appearing about 60 years ago, initially with beautiful
paintings and then with photographs. Wild flower books are not only tremendously useful for wild
flower enthusiasts in general, but also for students studying the flora and researchers trying to under-
stand changes in vegetation from the invasion of alien plants, changing fire regimes and global climate
change, to mention a few. This Photographic guide to the wild flowers of the Limpopo Province is
filling gaps left by previously published field guides, as it presents, for the first time, some species
which are Limpopo endemics, as well as some species with distribution ranges extending from Lim-
popo into northern neighbouring countries.
It was the Limpopo endemic species Aloe lettyae, including its pollination biology, that Sylvie Kremer-
Köhne studied for her Master of Science degree at Wits and she is currently a Visiting Research Fel-
low at Wits. She lived on Westfalia Estate on the Limpopo escarpment since the mid-1980s, before
moving to the village of Haenertsburg, adjacent to Limpopo’s most threatened ecosystem, the Wood-
bush Granite Grassland, some 15 years ago. She is concerned about the extent to which Limpopo’s
biodiversity is being depleted and has a passionate interest in documenting, researching and con-
serving the province’s flora. Over a period of ten years, she undertook numerous, often adventurous,
field trips to remote mountainous areas in the Limpopo Province to photograph wild flowers in their
habitat, with the aim of compiling this field guide to the area’s diverse flora. Her excellent photo-
graphs, the easy to understand text, and the distribution maps indicating where the plants occur in
the Limpopo Province should facilitate relatively fast identification of the different species. Interesting
additional information is given on medicinal and other uses of the plants where these are known. I
highly recommend this inspiring, meticulously prepared book to students, academics, environmental
decision-makers and wild flower enthusiasts.
Edward Witkowski
School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences
University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
August 2021
S TRELITZIA 44 (2021) vii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The enjoyable project of documenting Limpopo’s wild flowers spanned a decade, and I wish to thank
all those who contributed in many different ways to producing this guide.
Assistance with plant identifications: Clare and Robert Archer, Kevin Balkwill, Dirk Bellstedt, Pieter
Bester, Stephen Boatwright, John and Sandie Burrows, Benny Bytebier, Neil Crouch, Gerrit Germishui
zen, René Glen, David Gwynne-Evans, Norbert Hahn, Andrew Hankey, Paul Herman, Anne Johanns-
meier, Marie Jordaan, Ronell Klopper, Marinda Koekemoer, Marianne le Roux, Natasha Lombard,
Mervyn Lötter, John Manning, Jean Meyer, Mashiane Mothogoane, Tandiwe Nkonki, Syd Ramdhani,
Tony Rebelo, Brian Schrire, Yashica Singh, Gideon Smith, Shirley Smithies, Herbert Stärker, Hester
Steyn, Barbara Turpin, Mienkie Welman, Bram van de Beek, Timo van der Niet, Pieter Winter.
Distribution maps were generated by Koos de Wet from datasets provided by SANBI from the Botan-
ical Database of southern Africa (BODATSA), the Lydenburg Herbarium (Mpumalanga Tourism and
Parks Agency), the Buffelskloof Herbarium (Buffelskloof Private Nature Reserve), Herbarium Sout-
pansbergensis, Stefan Siebert (for Sekhukhuneland) and the author.
Photographs: Melissa Andriessen, Glenda Cooper, Graham Grieve, Stefan Siebert, Martin Smit, Mike
Strever, Pieter Winter.
Traditional uses of plants and their common names: Piet Makwela, the late Rahaba Makwela, Rebek-
ka Seabi, Dorophina Thema.
Assistance with the layout and constructive criticism of earlier text drafts: John and Sandie Burrows,
Elizma Fouché, Kate Grieve, Barbara Turpin. Special thanks are due to an anonymous reviewer for
suggesting improvements to the manuscript.
Varied inputs including, amongst others, field trips and the loan of valuable books: Patricia Barag-
wanath, Bronwyn and Lorraine Egan, Anne-Lise Fourie, Kevin Gill, Lesley Henderson, Stefan Köhne,
Sonnette Krynauw, Dione Kufner-McComb, John Lategan, Sandy Lennox, Toban McMahon, Errol
Nienaber, Joan Provis, Dave Thompson, Nipper and Sylvia Thompson, Elaine and Kemen Tribe, James
Turner, Anita and Josef Unterpertinger, Sally van Aardt, Lize and Rudi von Staden, Pieter Winter.
Editing, proofreading and layout: Elizma Fouché, Alicia Grobler, Nicole Meyer, Sandra Turck.
Funding: SANBI and SAEON.

viii S TRELITZIA 44 (2021)
South African Environmental Observation Network
SAEON is an emerging facility of the National Research Foundation (NRF), established in 2002 to
drive critical environmental change research. Funded primarily by the Department of Science and
Innovation (DSI), SAEON leads and facilitates research in a wide range of environmental fields, from
organismal ecology to earth system science, to create knowledge that is critical for detecting, under-
standing, predicting, and responding to, environmental change.
As one of the NRF National Research Infrastructure Platforms responsible for environmental change
research, SAEON maintains a network of platforms in both terrestrial and marine environments in
South Africa. These platforms constitute: long-term research sites, where repeated observations,
experimental treatments and related data are permanently maintained; laboratories, in situ instru-
ments, infrastructure and other equipment needed for conducting environmental research; datasets
and models relating to environmental change; scientific and technical support for government depart-
ments and agencies, universities and other research institutions, researchers, postgraduate students,
schools, industry partners and NGOs; and data portals for public access to environmental data and
decision-support systems.
SAEON is entrenched in a global network of partners working to understand environmental change in

a wide array of ecosystems across the globe with the ultimate goal of improving the conservation and
sustainable-use of biodiversity and the ecosystem services it provides to society.
www.saeon.ac.za
SAEON’S VISION
World-class environmental research platforms for a sustainable society.
S TRELITZIA 44 (2021) 1
INTRODUCTION
Scope
This easy-to-use photographic field guide presents wild flowers occurring in the southern African sum-
mer rainfall area, with a focus on the Limpopo Province. The guide contains a total of 90 families,
343 genera and 770 species. Most of the species documented here are herbs and shrubs; some trees,
aquatic herbs and introduced species are also included. The selection covers both frequently seen and
less common plant species. Technical botanical terms are kept to a minimum and a glossary explains
those that have been used.
Background
Some 200 years after the earliest plant explorations in the Western and Eastern Cape, first records
were collected in the northern part of the country. Plant collectors in the region covered by this book,
and after whom plants featuring in this guide have been named, include Polish botanist and geologist
Anton Rehmann (1840–1917), English nurseryman and collector William Nelson (1852–1922),
Swiss missionary and botanical explorer Henri A. Junod (1863–1934), German botanist Friedrich
R.R. Schlechter (1872–1925) and South African botanist Albert O.D. Mogg (1886–1980).
Documenting the flora in the Province of the Tranvaal, of which today’s Limpopo Province was part of
until 1994, began with botanist Joseph Burtt Davy (1870–1940) who compiled a first checklist and
later published A manual of the flowering plants and ferns of the Transvaal with Swaziland, South
Africa in 1926 (Part I) and 1932 (Part II). These small books with small print on thin paper were
designed to be taken into the field and their use required a fair knowledge of systematic botany. Con-
currently, plant pathologist and botanist Illtyd B. Pole Evans (1879–1968), who joined Burtt Davy in
the Transvaal Department of Agriculture in 1905, collected plant specimens and photographed the
major types of vegetation throughout South Africa.
The Transvaal Threatened Plants Programme was initiated in 1976 and field surveys were done from
1980 to 1996. After a gap, the citizen science programme for surveying, monitoring and conservation
of plants, the Custodians of Rare and Endangered Wildflowers, started in Limpopo in 2012. In addi-
tion, from the 1960s onwards, thorough botanical studies were undertaken to document the flora in
specific areas such as the northeastern Transvaal Escarpment, Sekhukhuneland and the Soutpansberg.
Illustrated books on wild flowers occurring in the northern part of South Africa have stimulated the
interest of the general public and botanists, and have contributed towards biodiversity conservation.
Renowned botanical artist Cythna L. Letty (1895–1985) published her book Wild flowers of the
Transvaal in 1962. This was followed by two books illustrated with paintings by Anita Fabian and
authored by Gerrit Germishuizen that appeared in 1982 and 1997, respectively. At about the same
time, in 1984 and 1996, Jo Onderstall was the first to publish photographic wild flower guides for
the Transvaal Lowveld and Escarpment, and Mpumalanga and Northern Province, respectively, to
reach the widest possible audience. To make ‘it unnecessary to collect specimens and deplete the
countryside of its beautiful natural heritage’ Germishuizen published a pocket guide illustrated with
Brenda Clarke’s paintings in 2003. Subsequently, two photographic guides appeared, one on the
orchids of northern South Africa by Douglas McMurtry and co-authors in 2008, and the other on
2 S TRELITZIA 44 (2021)
Some of the early plant collectors and

explorers of the Limpopo Province:
(from left to right, top to bottom) An-
ton Rehmann, William Nelson, Henri
Junod, Friedrich Schlechter, Albert
Mogg.
the wild flowers of the Limpopo Valley by Retha van der Walt in 2009. The production of each of
these books required extensive field work and hence contributed to documenting the flora in today’s
Limpopo Province.
Geology and climate

The Limpopo Province lies on the 3 000 million-year-old Kaapvaal Craton, one of the earliest known
pieces of the Earth’s crust. The oldest rocks formed in this period are known as greenstones which
are uncommonly exposed. The craton evolved through various geological activities resulting in large
parts of it being submerged under a shallow sea. An overlaying succession of basins was filled with
thick sequences of both volcanic (granite, dolerite, norite, pyroxenite) and sedimentary (sandstone,
quartzite, dolomite, shale) rocks. Tectonic activities led to the formation of the main mountain ranges
listed in Table 1, with the Wolkberg and the adjoining Woodbush Plateau being located at the north-
ern limit of the Drakensberg Range, which forms part of the Great Escarpment at the eastern edge of
the interior plateau of southern Africa.
As a result of the complex geology, relief and variable climate, soil patterns are very intricate. Soils
derived from weathered sandstone and quartzite are usually sandy, relatively acidic and nutrient-poor
Table 1. Topographic features in the Limpopo Province, their main rock types, highest elevation (m) and average annual rainfall
(mm)
Topographic feature Main rock types Highest elevation (m) Rainfall (mm)
1 Soutpansberg sandstone, quartzite 1 747 700
2 Blouberg 2 051
3 Waterberg 2 088 710
4 Woodbush Plateau granite, greenstone 1 800 1 200
5 Wolkberg quartzite, dolerite, dolomite 2 126 970
6 Strydpoort Mountains sandstone, quartzite, shale 2 036 690
7 Leolo Mountains norite, pyroxenite 1 932 690
while e.g. dolomite-derived soils are usually deep and fairly rich in plant nutrients.
Climatically, the Limpopo Province is characterised by hot, wet (drier towards the west) summers. Av-
erage annual rainfall varies greatly, even within a mountain range. On the Wolkberg rainfall is highest
along the escarpment crests, while the Leolo Mountains fall within the rain shadow of the escarpment
and are, therefore, relatively dry compared with surrounding areas. On the Blouberg and Soutpans-
berg mountains the southern slopes receive more rain and are much wetter than the northern slopes.
4
3
5
6
Relief map of the Limpopo Province: 1, Soutpansberg; 2, Blouberg; 3, Waterberg; 4, Woodbush Plateau; 5, Wolkberg; 6,
Strydpoort Mountains; 7, Leolo Mountains.
Winters are cool (frost infrequent) and dry. In the Blouberg, Soutpansberg and Wolkberg mountains,
as well as on the Woodbush Plateau, mist is common at high altitudes in both summer and winter.
Vegetation
Savanna vegetation occupies 96% of Limpopo Province’s area and consists of a grassy ground layer
and an upper layer of woody plants. The woody layer may be near the ground (shrubveld) or tall
(woodland) and intermediate stages are referred to as bushveld. Savanna vegetation is conserved in
the Kruger National Park and several smaller reserves.
Grasslands occupy only 3% of Limpopo Province’s area and are mostly situated on the Drakensberg
escarpment. At first glance the vegetation appears to be a nearly continuous cover of grasses. How-
ever, grasslands are among the most diverse vegetation types and herbs contribute largely to the total
plant biodiversity. Most grassland herbs are long-lived and have underground storage organs such as
swollen roots, potato-like tubers or bulbs from which flowering shoots are produced annually and die
back in the cold, dry season or in a fire. Limpopo’s most threatened ecosystem is the Woodbush Gran-
ite Grassland on the Woodbush Plateau to the north of the Wolkberg; its largest remnant is protected
in the Haenertsburg Nature Reserve. Other grassland types are conserved in the Wolkberg Nature
Reserve, the Bewaarkloof Nature Reserve and the Marakele National Park.
Forests, which are many-layered vegetation units dominated by trees, make a minute contribution
to Limpopo Province’s vegetation. Small patches of species-rich Northern Mistbelt Forest relevant to
this book occur primarily in east-facing fire refugia and moist sheltered kloofs at altitudes of 1 000–
1 600 m. On their upper boundary these forests border on grasslands, while they often border on
bushveld below.
In the 1990s, areas with high concentrations of plants having a natural distribution confined to a
particular geographical region, referred to as endemic and near-endemic (range stricted) species or
subspecies, were identified in the Limpopo Province. This gave rise to the recognition of three centres
of endemism, namely the Wolkberg, Sekhukhune and Soutpansberg centres of endemism.
The high altitude Wolkberg Centre on the northeastern Drakensberg escarpment extends into Mpu-
malanga and is characterised by high rainfall. The vegetation is predominantly montane grassland
with scattered pockets of Northern Mistbelt Forest and small isolated stands of Fynbos on some of the
highest peaks. Nearly all Wolkberg Centre endemics are grassland species.
The mountainous Sekhukhuneland Centre straddles the provincial boundary between Limpopo and
Mpumalanga and is characterised by parallel belts of rocky ridges and mountains. The vegetation is
unique bushveld with grassland on some mountain slopes; the vegetation differs between north- and
south-facing aspects of mountains.
The Soutpansberg Centre is situated on a relatively narrow, west–east mountain range in the northern
part of Limpopo Province; it includes the adjacent Blouberg in the west and runs into the northern
parts of the Kruger National Park in the east. The vegetation consists of different types of bushveld
and thicket, with pockets of Northern Mistbelt Forest; grasslands are found at higher altitudes, par-
ticularly on southern slopes.
Wolkberg Centre of Endemism: grass-

land on the slope of Serala.
Sekhukhuneland Centre of Endemism:

grassland on the Leolo Mountains.
Soutpansberg Centre of Endemism:

bushveld in the central Soutpans-
berg.
HOW TO USE THIS BOOK

Arrangement of species
Six main colour sections facilitate the quick identification of wild flowers (white/cream, yellow, or-
ange/red/pink, blue/mauve/purple, green and brown). Images of flowers, or what may be taken as
flowers by a layperson, have been selected and grouped according to their predominant colour, based
on the viewer’s first impression. As flower colour varies within a species, and colour is affected by
photographic reproduction and subject to human colour interpretation, the user is encouraged to look
through other colour sections as well.
Within a colour section, the species have been grouped according to family. Brief family descriptions
are included to provide the reader with an understanding of some of the distinctive characteristics
defining the respective family. The families used here are those of the South African National Plant
Checklist 2021, but the Anthericaceae (sometimes included in Agavaceae or Asparagaceae) and the
Eriospermaceae (sometimes included in Ruscaceae or Asparagaceae) have been retained, as they
appeared more appropriate for the genera presented here (Chlorophytum and Eriospermum respec-
tively). The families are arranged alphabetically, as are the species within each family. The species
names also follow the South African National Plant Checklist 2021, except for retaining the names of
two species each in the Asteraceae and Orchidaceae, which have recently been synonymised.
Species names
Up to date scientific names, consisting of a genus name (which is captalised, comparable to a sur-
name) and a species name (in lowercase letters, comparable to a given or first name), are provided and
are followed by the name(s) of the author(s) who formally described the species. If a species contains
lower taxonomic ranks, such as subspecies or varieties, and several of them occur in South Africa, the
species name is repeated for the ‘type’ (the plant specimen to which the scientific name is attached),
e.g. Moraea moggii subsp. moggii or Lobelia eurypoda var. eurypoda. If only the typical subspecies or
variety occurs in South Africa, this repetition is omitted, e.g. Crocosmia aurea subsp. aurea is reduced
to Crocosmia aurea. Infraspecific names are listed below the species name for those relevant and
occurring in the Limpopo Province. Where applicable, notes to distinguish between other infraspecific
taxa are mentioned under ‘General’.
From time to time, scientific studies result in the reclassification of a species with subsequent scientific
name changes. The old scientific name (synonym) is given in brackets preceded by an equal sign, e.g.
(= Chaetacanthus setiger), if a species’ name has changed since the respective species appeared in a
botanical book previously published for northeastern South Africa. This enables the user to cross-refer-
ence between books. The meanings of scientific names are explained and common names are provided
when available. Common names may be confusing as two or more species are sometimes known
under the same name, or a single species has more than one common name. Nevertheless, common
names should be recorded, especially in the case of largely spoken, not written, languages.
Species descriptions
These are succinct and contain information on the plant’s growth form, size at flowering, leaves, flowers,
fruit, geographical distribution, habitat, flowering time and, in some instances, traditional uses. Features
helpful for identifying the species are in italics. If more than one subspecies or variety occurs in the Lim-
popo Province, the distinguishing characteristics are outlined under ‘General’. The photograph completes
the description and helps with the identification. To cater for both botanists and non-specialist readers,
technical botanical terms are kept to a minimum, while effort has been made not to compromise on
the accuracy of the plant description. A glossary for some of the botanical terms used in this book are
provided on p. 291.
Geographical distribution
The species’ currently known provincial distributions in South Africa are indicated. Many plants oc-
curring in the eastern provinces have also been recorded in Eswatini and Lesotho as the distribution
of plants is affected by climate and geological formations, rather than by provincial or international
borders. Each map, compiled from six datasets, shows the currently known distribution of the species
(data were combined for subspecies or varieties where applicable) in the Limpopo Province.
Template for species descriptions

CYPERACEAE 2
Cyperus obtusiflorus 3 Vahl
C. obtusiflorus var. flavissimus (Schrad.) Boeck. (= C. sphaerocephalus) 4

cuperos: sedge or rush; obtusiflorus: flowers blunt at end; flavissimus: very
yellow. 5
Yellow sedge (E); geelbiesie (A) 6
Slender, erect, perennial herb, up to 450 mm tall. Leaves grass-like, ba- 12
7
sal, tufted, stiff. Flowers tiny, in broad, flat spikelets; numerous spikelets
clustered in terminal, compact, rounded inflores-
cence, ± 25 mm in diameter, bright golden yel-
low; bracts long, leaf-like, below inflorescence.
General: at higher altitudes. The white var. ob- 11
tusiflorus (see p. 61) is more widespread in LIM.
Widespread across SA. 8
Rocky grassland.
Spring–summer. 9
10
1
1. Colour section. 8. Provincial distribution:

2. Family name. Eastern Cape (EC), Free State (FS), Gauteng (GP),
3. Scientific species name including the author(s). KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), Limpopo (LIM), Mpumalanga
Introduced species are indicated with an asterisk (*) in (MP), Northern Cape (NC), North West (NW), Western
front of the name. Cape (WC).
4. Subspecies or variety and old name (synonym), prior to Widespread across SA indicates that the species oc-
reclassification. curs in five or more provinces.
5. Explanation or meaning of scientific name. 9. Habitat.
6. Common name: 10. Flowering time:
English (E), Afrikaans (A), Lobedu (L), Sepedi (S), Spring: Aug.–Nov., Summer: Nov.–Mar., Autumn:
Tshivenda (V). Mar.–May, Winter: May–Aug.
7. Description with diagnostic characters in italics. 11. Distribution map.
12. Photograph to help with the identification.
FAMILY DESCRIPTIONS
ACANTHACEAE (acanthus family)
Perennial herbs, shrubs, some climbers and small trees. Leaves opposite, without stipules. Flow-
ers tubular, 4- or 5-lobed, 1- or 2-lipped, or ± divisible into mirror images in more than 1 vertical
plane; bisexual; inflorescence often with large leafy bracts, often coloured and sometimes spiny,
usually supporting individual flowers. Fruit an explosive, ± club-shaped capsule; seeds often with
water absorbent hairs.
AGAPANTHACEAE (agapanthus family)

Perennial herbs, often forming colonies. Rhizome with fleshy roots; sap slimy. Leaves basal, in 2
ranks, strap-like. Flowers funnel-shaped, with a short tube, 6-lobed, bisexual, on slender stalks;
inflorescence an umbel borne on a leafless stem, enclosed in bud by 2 large bracts. Fruit a 3-an-
gled capsule, bent sharply downward on the stalks; seeds flat, winged, black, shiny.
AIZOACEAE (ice plant family)

Includes the large former Mesembryanthemaceae (vygie) family, members of which appear in
this guide. Succulent shrubs, perennial or annual herbs, able to survive long periods of drought.
Leaves mostly opposite, flat to 3-angled to cylindrical. Flowers daisy-like, with numerous petals
and stamens, brightly coloured, bisexual. Fruit a capsule, opening when moistened by means of
valves; many-seeded.
ALLIACEAE (onion family)

Perennial herbs, from bulbs or a rhizome; sap slimy, often producing an onion or garlic smell when
crushed. Leaves sheathing at base, spirally arranged or in 2 ranks. Flowers tubular, 6-lobed, lobes
erect or spreading, bisexual; inflorescence umbel-like, with thin bracts at base, borne on a leafless
stem. Fruit a 3-angled capsule; seeds black, sometimes small.
AMARANTHACEAE (amaranth family)

Shrublets and annual or perennial herbs. Leaves alternate or opposite, without stipules. Flowers
very small, usually surrounded by dry, often spiny, bracts that promote dispersal, bisexual or uni-
sexual; in spikes or rounded inflorescences. Fruit a capsule often opening by means of a lid, rarely
a berry; seeds usually shiny.
AMARYLLIDACEAE (amaryllis family)

Lily-like herbs; mostly from bulbs with thick fleshy scales. Leaves basal, often strap-like, or slender
to broad, mostly in 2 ranks. Flowers usually showy, tubular, 6-lobed, bisexual; inflorescence an
umbel-like cluster borne on a leafless stem, supported by 2 or more large bracts, 1–many-flow-
ered. Fruit a capsule or a fleshy berry; seeds dry or fleshy.
ANACAMPSEROTACEAE (haaskos family)

Small shrubs and thick-stemmed perennial herbs; sometimes with a fleshy basal stem and root,
or a tuberous main root. Leaves succulent, spirally arranged, round, axils with hairs, bristles or
papery scales. Flowers small to medium-sized, mostly showy, bisexual; inflorescence few-flowered.
Fruit a capsule; seeds usually ± angular, whitish. Previously part of the Portulacaceae.
ANACARDIACEAE (wild currant family)

Mainly woody plants, trees and shrubs; all species with clear resinous sap that becomes dark when
dry. Leaves alternate, simple or with 3 or more leaflets, without stipules; crushed leaves often with
turpentine-like odour. Flowers small, inconspicuous, 5-lobed, unisexual, male and female flowers
on the same plant or on separate plants. Fruit usually sideways flattened, fleshy.
ANTHERICACEAE (spider-lily family)

Sometimes included in Agavaceae. Perennial herbs, with rhizomes which are whitish inside.
Leaves in a basal rosette or in 2 ranks, long and narrow, sheathing at base. Flowers often star-
like, with 6 lobes, colours varying from white to bluish, bisexual, with 6 stamens and 1 style with
a small stigma; inflorescence terminal, simple or branched. Fruit a capsule; seeds often angled,
black, ± glossy.
APIACEAE (carrot family)

Annual or perennial herbs, occasionally shrubs and trees, often aromatic. Leaves alternate, usually
much-divided, often into fine lobes; forming a sheath at the base, without stipules. Flowers small,
5-lobed, mostly on wiry stalks; inflorescence an umbel, simple or compound (each ray again bear-
ing an umbel). Fruit with lengthwise ridges or wings, separating into 2 segments.
APOCYNACEAE (milkweed family)

Trees, shrubs, perennial herbs, sometimes vines, often succulent; sap milky or clear. Leaves oppo-
site or in whorls, without stipules. Flowers small to large and showy, 5-lobed, bisexual, sometimes
with a crown-like structure (corona) in the centre, occasionally fragrant; inflorescence usually an
umbel. Fruit dry, fleshy or inflated, often in pairs; seeds usually with a tuft of long silky hairs.
APONOGETONACEAE (Cape pondweed family)

Perennial freshwater aquatic herbs with a tuberous rhizome. Leaves basal, submerged or floating
on long stalks, narrow or elliptic. Flowers usually whitish, with 1 or 2 lobes, bisexual, anthers rip-
ening before the stigmas, pollinated by insects; inflorescence a small, simple or forked spike. Fruit
ripening often takes place under water.
ARACEAE (arum lily family)

Perennial herbs, with a rhizome or tuber. Leaves on stalks, blades simple or variously lobed.
Flowers tiny, unisexual, male and female flowers usually on the same plant; inflorescence a fleshy
column, female flowers at base, male flowers above, surrounded by a showy large coloured bract
(spathe). Fruit fleshy or leathery.
ASPARAGACEAE (asparagus family)

A small family of spiny perennials with a compact woody base; roots fibrous or tuberous. Leaves much
reduced, bract-like, in the axils of which flattened, leaf-like stems arise (cladodes), solitary or clus-
tered, green, flat to round, very narrow to egg-shaped. Flowers small, star-like, 6-lobed, usually white
or cream-coloured, fragrant, bisexual; solitary or in clusters. Fruit a fleshy berry; seeds round, black.
ASPHODELACEAE (aloe family)

Perennial herbs, shrubs and trees; roots usually swollen, with yellow sap. Leaves mostly suc-
culent, margins spiny, often arranged in a basal rosette. Flowers tubular or star-like, 6-lobed,
white, yellow, orange or red, never blue-violet, bisexual; inflorescence simple or branched, a
round cluster or spike, on long stem. Fruit a 3-chambered capsule.
ASTERACEAE (daisy family)

The largest plant family in southern Africa; annual or perennial herbs, shrubs, occasionally
climbers and trees. Leaves alternate or opposite, sometimes lobed or divided, without stipules.
Flowers small, of 2 types, strap-like ray flowers and tubular disc flowers; inflorescence a flower
head resembling a single flower, composed of central disc and outer ray flowers, of disc flowers
only, or of ray flowers only; surrounded by 1 or more series of bracts. Fruit 1-seeded, dry, rarely
fleshy.
BEGONIACEAE (begonia family)

Herbs and shrublets, mostly fleshy, with stems swollen at the nodes. Leaves alternate, generally
with unequal sides and radiating veins, margins toothed or lobed, with 2 conspicuous stipules.
Flowers showy, unisexual, male (2- or 4-lobed) and female (5- or 6-lobed) flowers on the same
plant; inflorescences in leaf axils. Fruit a capsule; seeds many, minute.
BORAGINACEAE (borage family)

Annual or perennial herbs, shrubs and trees, often with rough hairs throughout. Leaves mostly
alternate, simple, without stipules. Flowers cup-shaped, 4–7-lobed, bisexual; calyx persistent,
sometimes increasing in size at fruiting stage; inflorescence usually branched, branches frequently
coiled at the tips when young, uncoiling as flowers open. Fruit usually comprising 4 1-seeded,
often spiny nutlets, rarely fleshy.
BRASSICACEAE (cabbage family)

Annual or perennial herbs, shrubs and small trees, often with a mustard taste. Leaves often in a
basal rosette, on stem mostly alternate, without stipules. Flowers with 4 lobes, arranged in the
form of a cross, bisexual, usually 4 long and 2 short stamens; inflorescence mostly slender, without
bracts. Fruit a dry, 2-chambered capsule, usually opening by 2 valves from below.
CAMPANULACEAE (bell flower family)

Mostly annual or perennial herbs and small shrubs, often with milky sap. Leaves usually alternate,
simple, often toothed, without stipules. Flowers mostly blue, bell-shaped 5-lobed, bisexual; sol-
itary in leaf axils or in variously structured inflorescences. Fruit usually a capsule, often crowned
by persistent calyx lobes.
CAPPARACEAE (caper family)

Woody plants. Leaves alternate, simple, sometimes crowded on abbreviated shoots, stipules when
present often spiny. Flowers with 4 calyx lobes, free or fused, petals absent or 4, bisexual, stamens
numerous, long; solitary or several in an inflorescence. Fruit usually fleshy.
CAPRIFOLIACEAE (honeysuckle family)

Indigenous to North America and Asia; mostly shrubs and vines, rarely herbs. Leaves mostly op-
posite, without stipules. Flowers tubular, funnel- or bell-shaped, usually with 5 spreading lobes,
2-lipped, bisexual, often fragrant. Fruit usually a berry.
CARYOPHYLLACEAE (carnation family)

Annual or perennial herbs, and small shrubs; stems with ± swollen nodes. Leaves mostly oppo-
site, bases joined at the swollen nodes, alternate pairs at right angles to each other. Flowers mostly
pink or white, with 4 or 5 lobes, tips notched or fringed, bisexual, 5–10 stamens, 2–5 styles;
inflorescence ± branched, flowers rarely solitary. Fruit a capsule or a nutlet.
CELASTRACEAE (spike-thorn family)

Trees, shrubs, rarely climbers; branches often angular, with or without spines. Leaves alternate,
clustered or opposite, stipules minute. Flowers small, 5-lobed, white, pale yellow or green, with
a fleshy, nectar-secreting disc surrounding the ovary. Fruit variable, sometimes a capsule; seeds
often winged or enclosed in a fleshy, coloured covering.
CLEOMACEAE (beeplant family)

Perennial or annual herbs, often ± woody at base, stems usually with longitudinal grooves, aro-
matic. Leaves alternate, on stalks, simple or with 3–5 leaflets. Flowers mostly symmetrical about
1 plane only, petals 4, free, bisexual, stamens conspicuous, 4 to many, often whisker-like; inflo-
rescence terminal. Fruit a pod-like long, narrow capsule opening by 2 valves; seeds kidney-shaped.
COLCHICACEAE (colchicum family)

Perennial herbs, stem erect or climbing, with starch-rich corms or rhizomes. Leaves alternate,
stalkless, sheathing at base, few and basally concentrated, sometimes on long trailing stems, par-
allel-veined. Flowers often relatively large, showy, 6-lobed, with 6 stamens and 3 styles; on the
upper parts of stems. Fruit a dry, or ± fleshy, capsule.
COMMELINACEAE (dayflower family)

Perennial or annual herbs, often ± succulent and with a rather lax, spreading habit. Leaves alter-
nate, basal or scattered up the stem, with closed basal sheath enveloping stem. Flowers 3-lobed,
blue or yellow, bisexual, stamens often with brightly coloured hairs on filaments; in clusters, some-
times enclosed in boat-shaped bracts. Fruit a capsule.
CONVOLVULACEAE (morning glory family)

Herbs and shrubs, usually with long, trailing or twining stems, rarely leafless parasites (Cuscuta);
often with milky sap. Leaves alternate, usually lobed or heart-shaped. Flowers often showy, trum-
pet-shaped with 5 fused petals and distinct pleats, petals twisted in bud, thin-textured; inflores-
cence mostly few-flowered, in leaf axils. Fruit mostly a 4-seeded capsule.
CRASSULACEAE (stonecrop family)

Herbs and small shrubs, usually succulent. Leaves opposite or spirally arranged, often in basal
rosettes, fleshy. Flowers small, petals 4 or 5 (sometimes more), separate or joined into a tube,
bisexual; in showy clusters, usually branched, often flat-topped. Fruit usually dry, in clusters, often
enclosed by dry petals.
CUCURBITACEAE (cucumber family)

Mostly herbs with trailing stems (creepers and climbers) and coiled tendrils; roughly hairy. Leaves
alternate, usually with 3 or more veins arising from a point and radiating outward. Flowers
5-lobed, white or yellow, usually unisexual, male and female flowers on the same plant or on sepa-
rate plants; mostly solitary in leaf axils. Fruit a large berry, with a hard or leathery wall, sometimes
with prickles or warts; seeds many, ± flattened.
CYPERACEAE (sedge family)

Grass-like perennial herbs, usually with rhizomes, tufted; often growing in wet or damp places.
Leaves crowded at the base, long and narrow, with parallel veins, forming a sheath which is usu-
ally closed around the stem. Flowers small, in axils of conspicuous bracts, arranged in spikelets; in
clusters on the upper part of the stem, with leaf-like bracts. Fruit a small nut.
DIPSACACEAE (scabious family)

Annual or perennial herbs and shrublets. Leaves mainly in a basal rosette, often lobed and divid-
ed, without stipules. Flowers small, funnel-shaped, 4- or 5-lobed, ± 2-lipped, bisexual, stamens
often protruding; inflorescence a dense cluster, surrounded by scale-like bracts. Fruit small, dry,
not splitting when ripe.
DROSERACEAE (sundew family)

Small, perennial or annual herbs, insectivorous, usually growing in moist places. Leaves mostly in
a basal rosette, covered with sticky glandular protuberances (tentacles, sensitive bristles, stalkless
or stalked glands) for trapping and digesting insects. Flowers 5-lobed, short-lived, bisexual; inflo-
rescence 1–few-flowered, often coiled in bud. Fruit a capsule, enclosed in persistent calyx.
EBENACEAE (ebony family)

Plants woody, trees and shrubs. Leaves alternate, leathery, without stipules. Flowers often urn-
shaped, usually with a short tube, 3–8-lobed, lobes twisted in bud, unisexual, male and female
flowers on separate plants; calyx ± divided to base, persistent in fruit; solitary or clustered in leaf
axils. Fruit a berry, pulpy or fibrous.
ERICACEAE (erica family)

Shrubs and occasionally small trees, often growing in acidic soils. Leaves many, small, firm, usu-
ally needle-like, mostly whorled, sometimes alternate or spirally arranged. Flowers 4- or 5-lobed,
often shades of pink, sometimes sticky, bisexual, stamens included or protruding; in various inflo-
rescence types, in leaf axils. Fruit a capsule or a berry.
ERIOCAULACEAE (pipewort family)

Perennial herbs, rarely annual, tufted, often associated with wet soils, many growing in shallow
water; rhizome with woolly hairs, often swollen. Leaves usually crowded, basal, grass-like. Flow-
ers very small, unisexual, male and female flowers on the same plant, wind-pollinated, clustered
in dense, round inflorescences. Fruit a capsule.
ERIOSPERMACEAE (eriospermum family)

Sometimes included in Ruscaceae. Perennial herbs, with tubers. Leaves 1–several, basal, strap-
like, lance- or egg-shaped, appearing with or after flowers. Flowers small, 6-lobed, in 2 whorls
fused at the base, open during the day, bisexual; inflorescence erect, few- to many-flowered. Fruit
a capsule; seeds densely covered in long white hairs, appearing conspicuously ‘woolly’.
EUPHORBIACEAE (euphorbia family)

Herbs, shrubs, trees, mostly succulent with fleshy stems, often with watery or milky sap. Leaves
alternate, opposite or whorled, stipules or stipule scars usually present. Flowers with 5-lobed ca-
lyx, petals usually absent, unisexual; inflorescence of succulent members mostly resembling a sin-
gle cup-shaped flower, composed of unisexual flowers surrounded by bracts and often by glands.
Fruit usually a 3-chambered capsule.
FABACEAE (pea family)

Herbs, shrubs, trees and climbers; third largest flowering plant family globally; 3 subfamilies distin-
guished mainly based on their flower structure. Leaves mostly alternate, usually with leaflets and
stipules. Flowers 5-lobed, a) 1 large upper lobe (standard), 2 small side lobes (wings) and 2 lower
lobes fused into a boat-shaped structure (keel), sweet-pea-shaped (subfamily Papilionoideae); or
b) as above but with 2 free lower lobes, flowers usually large and showy (subfamily Caesalpinioi
deae); or c) 5 lobes either free or fused into a short tube, ± divisible into mirror images in more
than 1 vertical plane, stamens usually long and protruding, in dense spike-like or round inflores-
cences (subfamily Mimosoideae). Fruit a pod.
GENTIANACEAE (gentian family)

Annual or perennial herbs and shrubs, seldom trees. Leaves opposite or in a basal rosette, with-
out stipules. Flowers tubular, with 4 or 5 lobes, often twisted in bud, mostly pink or yellow, often
showy, bisexual, rarely unisexual; inflorescence lax or compact, or flowers sometimes solitary. Fruit
a capsule, rarely berry-like, usually many-seeded.
GERANIACEAE (pelargonium family)

Herbs and small shrubs; often aromatic, sometimes succulent. Leaves alternate or in a rosette,
usually lobed or divided, with stipules. Flowers with 5 petals, free, equal or unequal often with
darker veins, bisexual; inflorescences few- to many-flowered, rarely solitary in leaf axils. Fruit dry,
beaked, splitting open when ripe.
GESNERIACEAE (African violet family)

Annual or perennial herbs, usually stemless, often in moist or shady places. Leaves solitary or few,
opposite, often basal, without stipules. Flowers tubular, 5-lobed, often ± 2-lipped, on long, slen-
der stalks, bisexual, with 2 or 4 stamens; inflorescences few- to many-flowered. Fruit a cylindrical
capsule, sometimes spirally twisted; seeds many, minute.
GUNNERACEAE (gunnera family)

Perennial herbs, nearly stemless, with a rhizome; in moist places. Leaves basal, alternate, large,
rounded, veins radiating outward, on long stalks. Flowers small, bisexual or unisexual, male and
female flowers on the same plant; inflorescence a tall, erect spike, sometimes with male flowers
above and female below. Fruit small, fleshy, 1-seeded.
HYACINTHACEAE (chincherinchee family)

Bulbous perennial herbs; bulbs generally with thin outer skin and a number of bulb scales; sap
slimy. Leaves in a basal rosette, usually deciduous and appearing with the flowers. Flowers star-
like or funnel-shaped to tubular, 6-lobed, variously coloured, bisexual; inflorescences borne on
leafless stems. Fruit a capsule; seeds shiny, black.
HYPERICACEAE (St John’s wort family)

Shrubs and annual or perennial herbs, with resinous sap. Leaves opposite, simple, dotted with
glands, without stipules. Flowers mostly yellow, petals 5, twisted in bud, stamens many, on long
filaments, styles 3–5, often fused at the base; inflorescence a branched cluster. Fruit a capsule;
seeds fine, black.
HYPOXIDACEAE (star lily family)

Herbs with vertical rhizomes or corms; often hairy. Leaves basal, strap- to lance-shaped, with par-
allel longitudinal lines, sometimes pleated. Flowers star-like, lobes 6, often bright yellow, greenish
and hairy on the outer surface, bisexual; inflorescences of 1–several flowers on leafless, usually
hairy stalks. Fruit a capsule; seeds black.
IRIDACEAE (gladiolus family)

Perennial, mostly deciduous herbs with rhizomes, corms or rarely bulbs. Leaves basal and on stem,
sword-shaped, parallel-veined, arranged in 2 ranks, usually appearing with the flowers. Flowers
often tubular, 6-lobed, variously coloured, often with contrasting markings, bisexual, stamens 3,
style 3-branched; inflorescence generally a spike. Fruit a 3-chambered capsule; seeds usually dry.
JUNCACEAE (rush family)

Annual or perennial, marsh or aquatic herbs, tufted, with rhizomes. Leaves alternate, grass- or
rush-like, sheathing at base or reduced to sheaths. Flowers small, with 6 lobes, mostly green or
brown to blackish, withering without falling off, usually bisexual; in terminal inflorescences. Fruit
a capsule.
LAMIACEAE (sage family)

Mostly perennial herbs, also shrubs and small trees, often aromatic; branches usually 4-angled,
especially when young. Leaves opposite, pairs usually at right angles to each other, often toothed
or lobed, without stipules. Flowers 5-lobed, often 2-lipped, lower lip often larger than upper, calyx
persistent and often enlarged in fruit, bisexual, stamens usually 4 of unequal length; often in whorls,
inflorescences terminal, usually spike-like. Fruit composed of 4 nutlets or fleshy with 4 seeds.
LENTIBULARIACEAE (bladderwort family)

Mainly perennial herbs, in water or moist places, with bladder-like traps for catching small organ-
isms; often with a stem growing along the ground and rooting at the nodes. Leaves in rosettes or
scattered on stems, entire or much divided. Flowers 5-lobed, 2-lipped, upper lip erect, lower lip
spurred, bisexual. Fruit a capsule; seeds very small.
LILIACEAE (lily family)

Erect herbs with scaly bulbs. Leaves alternate, distributed along the stem, stalkless, paral-
lel-veined. Flowers generally large and showy, lobes 6, may be united in a tube, bisexual; often
solitary or several in an inflorescence. Fruit usually a capsule; seeds variously shaped.
LINACEAE (flax family)

Herbs, rarely shrublets and small trees. Leaves alternate or opposite, rarely whorled, simple, of-
ten with gland-like stipules Flowers short-lived, petals 5, free, tapering to base, twisted in bud,
bisexual, stamens 5 or 10, styles 3–5; inflorescence branched. Fruit a round capsule or fleshy,
1-seeded; seeds flattened.
LINDERNIACEAE (wishbone-flower family)

Annual herbs (short-lived) or shrublets with 4-angled stems. Mainly found in seasonally wet hab-
itats; resurrection plants tolerating drying out. Leaves variously arranged and shaped, without
stipules. Flowers tubular, 4- or 5-lobed, 2-lipped, lower lip larger than upper, stamens usually
4, sometimes 1 pair with curved or twisted filaments or reduced and not bearing pollen. Fruit a
capsule; seeds small, many.
LOBELIACEAE (lobelia family)

Mostly perennial herbs, usually with milky sap; often found in moist places. Leaves simple, mostly
alternate, without stipules. Flowers showy, petals 5, united or rarely free, often 2-lipped, usually
inverted on their stalks through 180°; solitary in leaf axils, or in inflorescences. Fruit a capsule,
often crowned with persistent calyx lobes.
MALPIGHIACEAE (Barbados cherry family)

Perennial scramblers, climbers and shrubs. Leaves usually opposite, stalk often with glands, with
or without stipules. Flowers with 5 stalked petals, free, usually with fringed margins, stalks joint-
ed, bisexual, stamens 10, on short filaments; in clusters in leaf axils or terminal inflorescences.
Fruit winged.
MALVACEAE (hibiscus family)

Herbs, shrubs and trees, usually with star-shaped hairs. Leaves alternate, entire to variously lobed,
with stipules. Flowers often showy, petals 5, free, bisexual, stamens numerous, united into a tube
around the style; usually with a whorl of bracts below the calyx (epicalyx); solitary or clustered in
leaf axils. Fruit dry, breaking into segments, or a capsule.
MELASTOMATACEAE (tibouchina family)

Herbs, shrubs and trees; stem often 4-angled. Leaves opposite, often with 3–9 prominent ± par-
allel veins from base, without stipules. Flowers showy, with 4 or 5 free petals, bisexual, stamen
filaments usually conspicuously bent at a sharp angle; inflorescence a spike or branched. Fruit a
capsule or berry enclosed in persistent calyx; seeds many, mostly minute.
MENISPERMACEAE (moonseed family)

Twining woody climbers. Leaves alternate, usually simple, stalk sometimes attached near the cen-
tre of the lower leaf surface, without stipules. Flowers usually small, inconspicuous, unisexual,
male and female flowers on separate plants; inflorescences many-flowered, in leaf axils or on leaf-
less twigs. Fruit slightly fleshy, 1-seeded; seed often curved, horseshoe-shaped.
MOLLUGINACEAE (carpet weed family)

Herbs; mostly found in sandy places or on rocky outcrops. Leaves alternate, often crowded in a
basal rosette, simple, long, narrow. Flowers small, mostly inconspicuous, usually greenish white,
lobes 5, bisexual, stamens usually 5; inflorescence mostly terminal. Fruit a capsule or nutlet.
MYROTHAMNACEAE (resurrection plant family)

Woody shrublets; resinous, aromatic. Leaves opposite, small, sheathing at the base, blade folded
fan-wise, able to survive extreme dryness, with paired stipules. Flowers without lobes and stalks,
unisexual, male and female flowers on separate plants, wind-pollinated; densely clustered in erect,
catkin-like inflorescences. Fruit a small capsule, many-seeded.
ONAGRACEAE (evening primrose family)

Annual or perennial herbs, sometimes aquatic. Leaves opposite or alternate, simple, entire, or
variously lobed, usually with stipules. Flowers with 4 or 5 free lobes, falling off early, bisexual;
mostly solitary in leaf axils. Fruit a capsule or nut, often elongated; seeds smooth or covered with
minute protuberances.
ORCHIDACEAE (orchid family)

Perennial herbs, usually with tubers, rhizomes or pseudobulbs; mostly with symbiotic associations
between their roots and fungi. Leaves basal or on the stem, alternate, often in 2 ranks, lance- to egg-
shaped. Flowers with a unique structure, 3 outer and 3 inner lobes, the lower one of the latter forming
a lip, often lobed and spurred, usually facing down, bisexual, male and female reproductive organs
fused; inflorescence usually unbranched. Fruit a capsule, opening with valves; seeds many, dust-like.
OROBANCHACEAE (ink flower family)

Annual or perennial herbs, fully or partially parasitic on roots of other plants; frequently turning
black when damaged or drying. Leaves alternate, sometimes scale-like, often yellowish. Flowers
brightly coloured, often conspicuous, tubular, with 2–5 lobes, ± distinctly 2-lipped, bisexual;
inflorescence usually many-flowered and elongated. Fruit a capsule.
OXALIDACEAE (sorrel family)

Herbs, mostly with scaly bulbs, with a sour taste from oxalic acid. Leaves usually basal, with 3
(rarely up to 10) leaflets, often drooping and closing at night. Flowers funnel-shaped, petals 5,
twisted in bud, bisexual, stamens 10 in 2 whorls at different heights, styles 5; inflorescence an
umbel or 1-flowered. Fruit a 5-lobed capsule, ejecting seeds.
PAPAVERACEAE (poppy family)

Excludes the Fumariaceae (bleeding heart family). Annual or perennial herbs, often with milky or
yellow sap, sometimes prickly, usually from taproots. Leaves alternate, mostly basal, often lobed
or divided, without stipules. Flowers brightly coloured, large, petals 4 or 6, free, bisexual, stamens
numerous; buds often nodding; usually solitary on long stalks, in leaf axils or terminal. Fruit a
capsule opening by pores or slits.
PASSIFLORACEAE (granadilla family)

Herbs, shrubs, small trees and frequently climbers, sometimes with large, tuber-like stems, often
with tendrils in leaf axils. Leaves alternate, usually lobed, with small stipules. Flowers with 3–5
lobes, free, bisexual or unisexual; solitary or in few-flowered clusters in leaf axils. Fruit a capsule
or a berry; seeds enveloped in a fleshy covering.
PEDALIACEAE (sesame family)

Mostly annual or perennial herbs, erect or trailing, sometimes with a short, swollen stem and
tuberous roots; occasionally spiny. Leaves ± opposite, often lobed, without stipules. Flowers tubu-
lar, funnel-shaped, 5-lobed, weakly 2-lipped, stalks often with 2 nectar-secreting glands at base;
usually solitary in leaf axils. Fruit variable, often with spines, horns or wings.
PERACEAE (clutia family)

Until recently regarded as part of the Euphorbiaceae. Shrubs or shrublets. Leaves simple, alter-
nate, ± stalkless, stipules small or absent. Flowers small, calyx with 5 lobes fused at the base,
petals with or without a narrow base, stamens 5, filaments fused into a tube, unisexual, male and
female flowers on separate plants; inflorescences in leaf axils, clustered or solitary. Fruit a capsule,
seeds shiny, black.
PHYLLANTHACEAE (phyllanthus family)

Herbs, shrubs and trees; a diverse family. Leaves mostly alternate, simple, margins usually entire,
with stipules, sometimes falling off before the leaf is fully mature. Flowers with or without 4–6
petals, unisexual, male and female flowers on the same plant or on separate plants; inflorescences
usually in leaf axils. Fruit variable.
PHYTOLACCACEAE (pokeweed family)

Herbs, shrubs, and small trees, often ± succulent. Leaves alternate, simple, margins entire, with-
out stipules. Flowers small, inconspicuous, mostly greenish to whitish, lobes 4 or 5, free, bisexual;
inflorescences often spike-like, terminal or in leaf axils. Fruit various, fleshy or dry.
PLANTAGINACEAE (plantain family)

Annual or perennial herbs. Leaves simple, usually all in a basal rosette or sometimes on the stem,
parallel-veined, without stipules. Flowers small, 4-lobed, bisexual, stamens and style protruding,
wind-pollinated; in dense, terminal spikes on long, erect, leafless stalks. Fruit a membranous
capsule; seeds often slimy when wet.
POLYGALACEAE (polygala family)

Herbs, shrubs and small trees. Leaves mostly alternate, simple. Flowers resembling pea-flowers,
outer lobes 5, variously modified, inner lobes 3–5, the lowermost usually boat-shaped with a
brush-like crest near the tip, bisexual; usually solitary in leaf axils or terminal, sometimes in elon-
gated inflorescences. Fruit usually a capsule; seeds covered in short hairs.
POLYGONACEAE (rhubarb family)

Annual or perennial herbs, shrubs and climbers, stems often with swollen nodes; often in moist
places. Leaves alternate, simple, margins usually entire; stipules usually conspicuous, united with
base of stalk to form a tubular, often 2-lobed or fringed sheath (ocrea). Flowers small, 2–6-lobed,
bisexual or unisexual; inflorescences in leaf axils or terminal. Fruit small and dry or a nutlet, lens-
shaped or triangular.
PROTEACEAE (protea family)

Woody shrubs and trees. Leaves alternate, leathery, without stipules. Flowers 4-lobed, often
forming a tube at base, bisexual or unisexual, if unisexual, then male and female flowers usually on
separate plants, stamens stalkless, style modified to form a stigma and a pollen presenter which
retains pollen shed just before the flowers open; inflorescences mostly showy spikes or rounded
clusters, usually surrounded by large, colourful bracts. Fruit small, dry, 1-seeded.
RANUNCULACEAE (buttercup family)

Herbs and ± woody climbers, often with ± well-developed rhizomes. Leaves alternate, often ba-
sal, simple or with leaflets, variously divided, stalks mostly sheathing at base. Flowers 5-lobed,
with the parts typically spirally arranged, mostly bisexual, stamens conspicuous, numerous; usual-
ly in terminal clusters. Fruitlets clustered, small, dry, sometimes with plumed styles.
RESTIONACEAE (Cape reed family)

Perennial, grass- or rush-like herbs, tufted; stems mostly solid and round. Leaves rarely with
blades, reduced to a split sheath at each node, tightly rolled around the stem. Flowers tiny, hidden
by bracts of spikelets, unisexual, male and female flowers usually on separate plants; inflores
cences terminal. Fruit a capsule or a nutlet.
ROSACEAE (rose family)

Deciduous or evergreen trees, shrubs and climbers, rarely herbs, sometimes stems and leaves with
prickles or thorns. Leaves alternate, simple or with leaflets, often with toothed margins, with stip-
ules. Flowers often large, 5-lobed, mostly bisexual, stamens numerous; inflorescences variously
structured, or flowers solitary. Fruit various, dry or fleshy.
RUBIACEAE (gardenia family)

Trees, shrubs and annual or perennial herbs. Leaves opposite, sometimes whorled, simple, mar-
gins always entire, stipules or scars between stalks of opposite leaves (interpetiolar). Flowers
tubular, 4- or 5-lobed, mouth of tube usually hairy, bisexual; mostly in clusters, in leaf axils or
terminal. Fruit often crowned with persistent calyx lobes; seeds small to fairly large.
SANTALACEAE (sandalwood family)

Herbs, shrubs and trees, often partially parasitic on roots of other plants. Leaves alternate or
sometimes opposite, simple, entire, often greyish or bluish green, often reduced to scales. Flowers
small, with 3–6 lobes, often white or greenish, anthers with a tuft of hair; inflorescences in leaf
axils or terminal. Fruit a nut or fleshy, 1-seeded.
SCROPHULARIACEAE (snapdragon family)

Herbs, rarely shrubs and small trees. Leaves usually opposite, sometimes tufted, often toothed,
without stipules. Flowers tubular, 4- or 5-lobed, often 2-lipped, then upper lip usually 2-lobed,
lower one 3-lobed, often blue, mauve or white, bisexual, stamens 4, 2 longer than the others;
solitary or in variously structured inflorescences. Fruit usually a capsule, many-seeded.
SMILACACEAE (greenbrier family)

Tough, spiny scramblers; many stems from a compact rhizome. Leaves alternate, on short stalks,
with a pair of spiral tendrils near base of leaf stalk, blade with 3–5 strong veins and net-veined
in between, firm. Flowers small, 6-lobed, unisexual, male and female flowers on separate plants;
clustered in leaf axils or terminal. Fruit a berry, in round clusters.
SOLANACEAE (potato family)

Herbs, shrubs, rarely small trees, occasionally spiny. Leaves alternate, often strong-smelling when
crushed, simple to lobed, without stipules. Flowers star- to funnel-shaped, tubular, 4- or 5-lobed,
often white or shades of blue, bisexual, stamens often bright yellow; mostly in clusters opposite the
leaves, or rarely solitary. Fruit a many-seeded berry or prickly capsule.
TECOPHILAEACEAE (cyanella family)

Perennial herbs, rootstock a rounded tuber or a corm, stems sometimes prickly. Leaves on stem
and alternate, or basal, deciduous. Flowers on slender stalks, with 6 lobes, spreading, bisexual,
stamens 6, filaments often fused; inflorescences simple or branched. Fruit a capsule; seeds many,
usually black.
THYMELAEACEAE (fibre-bark family)

Mostly shrubs and small trees but also herbs, with tough, fibrous bark. Leaves alternate or oppo-
site, often narrow or needle-like, without stipules. Flowers long, calyx tubular, usually coloured,
often petal-like, 4- or 5-lobed, petals inconspicuous, scale-like in throat of calyx tube or absent;
often in dense terminal clusters surrounded by bracts. Fruit various, usually enclosed in persistent
calyx tube.
TURNERACEAE (turnera family)

Herbs or shrubs, often bristly. Leaves alternate, simple, margins entire or deeply and sharply
toothed, blade often with conspicuous nectar glands at base, without stipules. Flowers with tubu-
lar calyx, petals 5, free, stalked, twisted in bud, opening in the morning, fading at night, bisexual;
inflorescences in leaf axils or terminal. Fruit a 3-valved capsule.
VALERIANACEAE (valerian family)

Annual or perennial herbs, usually giving off an unpleasant smell. Leaves opposite, often basal,
few on stem, entire, toothed or divided, without stipules. Flowers tubular, 5-lobed, sometimes
spurred at base, calyx inconspicuous in flower, variously structured and sometimes enlarged in
fruit, bisexual; inflorescences dense or lax, with bracts. Fruit dry, crowned with the persistent calyx.
VELLOZIACEAE (blackstick lily family)

Fibrous shrublets, stems dwarf and tufted or sparsely branched, protected by insulating, persistent
leaf bases. Leaves long and narrow, tough, crowded at tips of branches. Flowers showy, star-like,
lobes 6, spreading, free or united at the base, bisexual, with 6 stamens; solitary or a few among
the leaves. Fruit a capsule; seeds black.
VERBENACEAE (lantana family)

Herbs, shrubs, trees and lianas, with stems round or 4-angled, sometimes with prickles or spines.
Leaves mostly opposite, rarely whorled or alternate, often strongly aromatic, entire or divided,
without stipules. Flowers tubular, 4- or 5-lobed, calyx 4- or 5-lobed or toothed, bisexual, stamens
mostly 4, alternating with lobes, unequal; clustered in inflorescences. Fruit fleshy or dry.
VIOLACEAE (violet family)

Perennial herbs, but mainly shrubs and trees; mostly found in forests. Leaves alternate, rarely
opposite, simple, with 2 stipules, leaf-like, small. Flowers with 5 free petals, unequal in the genus
Viola with the front one sometimes spurred, calyx 5-lobed, persistent after flowering, bisexual;
usually solitary in leaf axils, or in inflorescences. Fruit a capsule.
VITACEAE (grape family)

Climbing shrubs and woody vines, often with leaf-opposed tendrils and ± swollen nodes. Leaves
alternate, simple or with 3–5 leaflets from a central point, margins entire or variously toothed.
Flowers very small, usually bisexual, petals 4–6, often falling off as bud opens, calyx entire or
4–6-lobed or -toothed; inflorescences opposite leaves. Fruit a berry.
XYRIDACEAE (yellow-eyed grass family)

Perennial herbs, tufted, with a compact, ± vertical rhizome; usually in marshy places. Leaves
basal, grass-like, sheathing at base. Flowers small, tubular below, with 3 petals, mostly yellow,
lasting only for a short time, bisexual, with 3 sometimes hairy stamens; surrounded by overlapping
papery bracts, terminal on a long stem. Fruit a many-seeded capsule, enclosed in the persistent
flower.
SPECIES DESCRIPTIONS
White/cream
ACANTHACEAE
Barleria gueinzii Sond.
Barleria: named after Jaques Barrelier (1606–1673), French monk, bot-

anist and physician; gueinzii: named after Wilhelm Gueinzius (1813–
1874), German apothecary and botanist in KwaZulu-Natal.
Bush violet (E); bosviooltjie (A)
Evergreen, straggling shrub, up to 2 m tall. Much branched; hairy through-
out. Leaves pale olive-green, soft, on stalks. Flowers ± 40 mm in diameter,
lobed, tube long, bluish purple to whitish; calyx lobes papery, pale yellowish
green, red-veined, margins spiny; inflorescence 1–3-flowered. Fruit a cap-
sule, small, sharply pointed. General: scrambler
amongst other shrubs.
EC, KZN, LIM and MP.
Bushveld, dry riverine forest margins, rocky
slopes.
Summer–autumn.
ACANTHACEAE
Barleria pretoriensis C.B.Clarke
pretoriensis: named after Pretoria in Gauteng.

Much-branched perennial shrublet, up to 500 mm tall. Rootstock woody;
stems slender, ± erect, with short stiff hairs. Leaves elliptic or lance-shaped,
narrow, opposite. Flowers tubular, ± 50 mm long, white at first, turning
mauve with age; calyx with four narrowly lance-shaped lobes; solitary in axils
of upper leaves. Fruit a capsule, egg-shaped, with a beak, hairy, splitting
open when ripe. General: usually growing on quartzite.
GP, LIM, MP and NW.
Bushveld, open rocky hillsides.
Summer–autumn.
ACANTHACEAE
Crabbea hirsuta Harv.
Crabbea: named after George Crabbe (1754–1832), British clergyman and

amateur botanist; hirsuta: hairy.
Prickle head (E)
Perennial herb with trailing stems, up to 400 mm long. Hairy throughout.
Leaves opposite, stalkless, egg- to strap-shaped. Flowers ± 12 mm in di-
ameter, tube long, white with a yellow mark in the centre; in dense clusters
amongst bracts; bracts large, leaf-like, margins spiny. General: used in tradi-
tional medicine to treat sores; good luck charm.
Widespread across eastern SA.
Grassland.
Summer.
ACANTHACEAE
ACANTHACEAE
Dyschoriste setigera (Pers.) J.C.Manning & Goldblatt
(= Chaetacanthus setiger)
dys: poorly, khoristos: separated – refers to the weakly bilobed stigma; se-
tigera: bristle-bearing.
Erect, perennial herb, up to 300 mm tall. Rootstock woody; stems several;

plant densely covered with hairs, almost sticky. Leaves opposite, on short
stalks, broadly oval to rounded, soft-textured. Flowers small, ± 6 mm in di-
ameter, 2-lipped (upper lip 2-lobed, lower lip 3-lobed), tube long, white, held
erect; in axils of upper leaves. General: used in
traditional medicine to heal internal sores.
Widespread across SA.
Grassland, often in rocky places.
Spring–summer.
ACANTHACEAE
Justicia anagalloides (Nees) T.Anderson
Justicia: named after James Justice (1698–1763), Scottish horticulturist;

anagalloides: resembling the genus Anagallis, in the Primulaceae.
Bogošola (S)
Sprawling, perennial herb, up to 100 mm tall. Stems slender, tufted; thinly
hairy throughout. Leaves shortly stalked, oval, in widely spaced pairs. Flow-
ers small, ± 6 mm long; upper lip notched, lower lip 3-lobed, white with
maroon lines, held horizontally; 1–4 together on erect shoots from leaf axils.
General: traditionally used to treat stomach complaints.
Widespread across northeastern SA.
Grassland, disturbed places.
Spring–summer.
ACANTHACEAE
Justicia betonica L.
betonica: a variation of Vettonica, a similar plant in Spain.

Paper plume (E)
Erect, perennial herb, up to 300 mm tall. Rootstock woody. Leaves almost
stalkless, shape and size variable, in pairs, widely spaced. Flowers ± 15 mm
long, 2-lipped, lower lip 3-lobed, white with faint mauve markings; bracts
numerous, pointed, papery, with green veins, overlapping; in compact ter-
minal inflorescences, up to 100 mm long, lower flowers open first. General:
distinguished by the net-veined bracts.
Grassland, bushveld.
Summer.
ACANTHACEAE
ACANTHACEAE
Thunbergia amoena C.B.Clarke
Thunbergia: named after Carl P. Thunberg (1743–1828), Swedish botanist

and physician, student of Linnaeus; amoena: beautiful.
Perennial creeper, stems up to 500 mm long. Plant densely hairy. Leaves
widely spaced, egg-shaped, base heart-shaped, stalks not winged. Flowers
±30 mm in diameter, tubular, 5-lobed, lemon-yellow, throat dull yellow;
bracts 2, leaf-like, surrounding each flower and hiding the calyx; solitary, on
± 50 mm long stalks, in leaf axils. Fruit a round capsule. General: southern
African endemic.
LIM and MP.
Rocky slopes, margins of forests and pine
plantations.
Summer.
ACANTHACEAE
Thunbergia atriplicifolia E.Mey. ex Nees
atriplicifolia: with leaves like the genus Atriplex, a saltbush.

Natal primrose (E)
Shrublet, up to 400 mm tall. Rootstock woody; stems several, erect to twin-
ing, leafy; sparsely to densely softly hairy throughout. Leaves ± stalkless,
shape and size variable, opposite. Flowers ± 35 mm in diameter, tubu-
lar, 5-lobed, cream-coloured, throat dull yellow; bracts 2, leaf-like, clasping
base; solitary, on long stalks, in leaf axils, on upper part of stems. General:
used in traditional medicine to treat internal sores.
Grassland.
Spring–summer.
AIZOACEAE
Khadia borealis L.Bolus
khadi: drink made from the roots of this plant; borealis: of the north.
Dwarf, succulent perennial. Mat-forming. Taproot; branches long, trailing;

nodes widely spaced, up to 40 mm apart, rooting at nodes. Leaves opposite,
embracing the stem, triangular in cross section, tips tapering abruptly to a
point; green, covered with translucent glands. Flowers solitary, ± 15 mm
in diameter, white. Fruit a capsule, opening when wet and releasing seeds.
General: at an altitude of above 1 250 m, endemic to the Soutpansberg.
LIM.
Flat rock sheets, in shallow soil pockets.
Summer.
ACANTHACEAE
AIZOACEAE
Khadia media P.J.D.Winter & N.Hahn
media: intermediate – refers to in-between K. borealis and all other Khadia

species.
Compact, dwarf succulent. In clumps. Taproot; branches with nodes close to-
gether, not visible. Leaves opposite, triangular in cross section; green, some-
times tinged reddish, covered with translucent glands. Flowers ± 15 mm in
diameter, white. General: closely related to K. borealis, mainly distinguished
by fruit capsule structure. Endemic to the western, drier side of the Haen-
ertsburg area.
LIM.
Large rocky outcrops, in shallow soil pockets.
Summer.
ALLIACEAE
Tulbaghia siebertii (Vosa) Mich.Moller & G.I.Stafford
(= Prototulbaghia siebertii)
Tulbaghia: named after Ryk Tulbagh (1699–1771), Dutch Governor of the
Cape; siebertii: named after Stefan J. Siebert (b. 1974), South African
botanist.
Small, deciduous herb, up to 150 mm tall. In dense stands. Rhizome short,
vertical. Leaves erect to spreading, almost cylindrical, long, very narrow, with
hooked tips. Flowers bell-shaped, on long stalks, facing upwards, ± 6 mm long,
lobes white fading to pink, anthers bright yellow; lasting a single day; 2–4 in a
terminal cluster at the tip of a long stem. Gener-
al: cultivated by bulbous plant collectors. Ende-
mic to the Leolo Mountains, Sekhukhuneland.
LIM.
Seepage areas in grassland.
M. Smit
Summer.
AMARANTHACEAE
Cyathula cylindrica Moq.
kyathos: cup – refers to stamens which may be reduced to a cup at base;

cylindrica: cylindrical.
Sekelklits (A); maime (S)
Robust, bushy, much-branched herb, up to 700 mm tall. Stems and leaves
densely covered with fine hairs. Leaves opposite, variable in size and shape,
roundish, stalks up to 25 mm long, veins conspicuous below. Flowers very
small, surrounded by dry bracts, white to cream, bracts sharply hooked;
many, in spike-like inflorescences ± 100 × 10 mm. General: used as a
charm.
Grassland, among rocks.
Summer–autumn.
AIZOACEAE
AMARANTHACEAE
Cyathula uncinulata (Schrad.) Schinz
uncinulata: hooked at the end.

Burweed (E); rondeklits, wolbossie (A); maime (S)
Scrambling, perennial herb; stems up to 1.5 m long, woody at base, hairy.
Leaves egg-shaped, tapering to a tip, on slender stalks, opposite. Flowers
small, in round inflorescences with many hooked spines, ± 25 mm in diam-
eter, greenish to cream-coloured, solitary, terminal and in leaf axils. General:
indigenous weed. Used in traditional medicine to treat urethra ailments.
Grassland, scrub, disturbed places.
Summer–autumn.
AMARANTHACEAE
Cyphocarpa angustifolia (Moq.) Lopr.
kypho-: bent, karpos: fruit; angustifolia: with narrow leaves.

Hare’s tail bush, silky burweed (E)
Slender, erect annual herb, up to 600 mm tall. Much branched from woody
base. Leaves opposite, entire, long, narrow, sharply tipped. Flowers very
small, white to pinkish, hidden by bracts; in dense, elongated, terminal
spikes, ± 200 mm long; bracts spine-tipped, densely silky hairy. Fruit spiky,
woolly, borne between bracts. General: browsed by herbivores.
Grassland, disturbed areas.
Summer–autumn.
AMARYLLIDACEAE
Apodolirion buchananii (Baker) Baker
apod: without a foot, lirion: white lily; buchananii: named after John Bu-
chanan (1821–1903), clergyman and plant collector.
Natal crocus (E); phela ennyane (S)
Perennial, bulbous herb, up to 60 mm tall. Leaves 1 or 2, grass-like, ap-
pearing after flowers. Flowers solitary, ± 25 mm in diameter, with stem-like
tube, white to pink, sweetly scented; opening in the late afternoon and clos-
ing by noon the following day. Fruit club-shaped, hidden within the sheaths
of the neck of the bulb. General: used in traditional medicine to treat coughs,
influenza, rashes.
Grassland.
Spring (after fire).
AMARANTHACEAE
AMARYLLIDACEAE
Crinum macowanii Baker
krinon: Greek name for lily; macowanii: named after Peter MacOwan
(1830–1909), British colonial botanist and professor in South Africa.
River lily (E); rivierlelie (A)
Robust, deciduous, perennial herb, up to 900 mm tall. Bulb large. Leaves
long, channelled, margins wavy. Flowers trumpet-shaped, tips of lobes curl
back, nodding, tube up to 100 mm long, white to pale pink with dark pink
stripes, anthers black, horseshoe-shaped; scented; in a 5–25-flowered ter-
minal inflorescence. Fruit roundish, knobbly. General: showy garden plant.
Rocky mountain grassland, near rivers.
Spring–summer.
ANTHERICACEAE
Chlorophytum bowkeri Baker
chloros: green, phyton: plant; bowkeri: named after James H. Bowker

(1822–1900), farmer, soldier and naturalist.
Robust, perennial herb, up to 1 m tall. Rhizomes small, woody. Leaves many,
in a basal rosette, long, narrow, shiny, tips curved back. Flowers star-like,
± 15 mm in diameter, white with prominent yellow anthers; stalks jointed;
supported by large bracts; many, closely arranged, hiding the main axis,
in erect, unbranched inflorescence, opening consecutively from the bottom;
open all day. General: closely related to C. krookianum.
Rocky grassland, damp areas.
Summer.
ANTHERICACEAE
Chlorophytum cooperi (Baker) Nordal
(= Anthericum cooperi)
cooperi: named after Thomas Cooper (1815–1913), English botanist and
plant explorer.
Cooper’s anthericum (E); lenthekhu, makakane (S)
Slender, erect, perennial herb, up to 400 mm tall. Rhizome horizontal,
woody. Leaves in 2 ranks, in a fan. Flowers ± 25 mm in diameter, lobes
spreading, white with a central greenish brown band; in a flattened cluster
near tip of unbranched stem; opening at daybreak and closing by midday.
General: used in traditional medicine to treat
kidney and bladder problems; as a tonic.
Grassland.
Summer.
AMARYLLIDACEAE
ANTHERICACEAE
Chlorophytum cyperaceum (Kies) Nordal
Cyperus: genus name for a sedge – refers to the inflorescence.

Slender, perennial herb, up to 1.8 m tall. Rhizome woody; stem hard. Leaves
erect, slender, folded, arranged in 2 opposite rows, clasping at the base.
Flowers ± 20 mm in diameter, white, delicate in texture, anthers large, style
crook-shaped, protruding from closed flower; in several dense clusters at tip
of stem; bracts up to 150 mm long, held horizontally, below flower clusters.
General: unusual congested inflorescence resembling a sedge.
LIM and MP.
Grassland, open bushveld.
Summer.
ANTHERICACEAE
Chlorophytum fasciculatum (Baker) Kativu
(= Anthericum fasciculatum)
fasciculatum: clustered.
Koba molomo (S)
Erect, perennial herb, up to 600 mm tall. Rhizome horizontal, woody, knob-
bly. Leaves few, long and narrow, usually folded, outer leaves small. Flowers
with lobes ± 14 mm long, spreading, white with a greenish brown centre
line; flowers clustered in axils of bracts, in a spike-like inflorescence overtop-
ping the leaves. General: variable species, with
a wide distribution. Used as a charm to keep
someone quiet.
Rocky grassland.
Spring–summer.
ANTHERICACEAE
Chlorophytum galpinii (Baker) Kativu
C. galpinii var. galpinii

galpinii: named after Ernest E. Galpin (1858–1941), South African banker
and amateur botanist.
Robust, perennial herb, up to 750 mm tall. Rhizome small, horizontal.
Leaves narrow, in 2 opposite rows, primary small, the following progressive-
ly larger, usually erect. Flowers large, lobes up to 15 mm long, spreading,
white with a greenish brown centre line; stamens in a distinct asymmetrical
4+2 arrangement; anthers long, curved, pale yellow; on a wiry, branched
stem. General: 2 other, less widely distributed
varieties in LIM.
Grassland, along river courses in sand.
Summer.
ANTHERICACEAE
ANTHERICACEAE
Chlorophytum krookianum Zahlbr.
krookianum: named after P. Krook (flourished 1894–1905), Swedish bota-

nist and plant collector.
Giant chlorophytum (E)
Robust, deciduous herb, up to 2 m tall when in flower. Rootstock peren-
nial. Leaves broad (± 60 mm), long, soft, many, in basal rosette. Flowers
± 15 mm in diameter, white, bracts shorter than flowers; in an erect, much-
branched inflorescence. Fruit an oblong capsule. General: largest species of
this genus in South Africa.
Grassland, scrub, forest margins.
Summer.
ANTHERICACEAE
Chlorophytum radula (Baker) Nordal
radulans: rasping, scabrous.

Perennial herb, up to 350 mm tall. Roots many, long; rhizome short. Leaves
grass-like, ± 200 mm long, folded, stiff, many, in a basal rosette. Flowers
± 30 mm in diameter, lobes spreading, white, with a central olive-gold band;
inflorescence branched, stems with white, warty protuberances, rough to
the touch. General: first described in the 1880s from a collection in the
Woodbush area; not seen there again until 1999. Endemic to Woodbush
Granite Grassland.
LIM.
Mistbelt grassland, exposed rock sheets.
Summer.
ANTHERICACEAE
Chlorophytum recurvifolium (Baker) C.Archer & Kativu
(= Anthericum longistylum)
recurvus: bent backwards; folium: leaf.
Perennial herb, up to 1 m tall. Roots numerous, rhizome woody. Leaves long,
tapered in upper half, folded, curled back, many, in a basal rosette. Flowers
with lobes spreading, ± 15 mm long, white, with a central olive-green band;
anthers long (± 7 mm), stamens 4 erect, 2 reclining together with the style;
solitary in axils of small bracts; inflorescence lax, usually branched, overtop-
ping leaves, flowers opening consecutively. Fruit a capsule with a pointed tip.
Bushveld, rocky slopes, sandy flats.
Spring–summer.
ANTHERICACEAE
APIACEAE
Alepidea attenuata Weim.
a: without, lepis: a scale; attenuata: narrowing to a point.

Slender, perennial herb, up to 700 mm tall. Leaves erect, margins toothed,
teeth bristle-tipped; basal leaves on long stalks (± 120 mm long); stem
leaves narrow, held close to the stem, stalked on the lower part of the stem,
becoming stalkless further up. Flowers small, in dense clusters, surrounded
by 10 white bracts, 5 of which may be smaller than the others, ± 10 mm
in diameter; in a branched, terminal inflorescence. General: occurs up to an
altitude of 2 200 m.
GP, LIM and MP.
Wet areas in grassland.
Summer.
APIACEAE
Alepidea peduncularis Steud. ex A.Rich.
pedunculus: stalk of a flower or fruit.

Khisogo (L); sesokwana (S)
Robust, erect, perennial herb, up to 800 mm tall. Stem single. Leaves mostly
in a basal rosette; upper leaves stem-clasping, decreasing in size upwards;
leaf margins toothed, bristle-tipped. Flowers star-like, in dense terminal
clusters, surrounded by unequal white bracts, ± 18 mm in diameter, sweetly
scented; inflorescence much branched. General: young leaves used as spin-
ach; used in traditional medicine to treat sore eyes.
Grassland.
Summer–autumn.
APIACEAE
Alepidea setifera N.E.Br.
setifera: bristle-bearing.
Kalmoes (A); lesoko (S)
Slender, erect, perennial herb, up to 500 mm tall. Leaves fringed with nu-
merous long bristles; basal leaves in a rosette, spreading, stalked, oval;
upper leaves many, stem-clasping. Flowers small; in few dense, terminal
13–15-flowered clusters, surrounded by greenish white bracts resembling
petals (smaller than those of A. peduncularis); inflorescence branched. Gen-
eral: easily overlooked in long grass.
Grassland.
Summer–autumn.
APIACEAE
APIACEAE
Pimpinella caffra (Eckl. & Zeyh.) D.Dietr.
Pimpinella: medieval name for a medicinal plant; caffra: from Caffraria, an

old name for the Eastern Cape.
Slender, erect, perennial herb, up to 1 m tall. Leaves on long stalks, lower
ones often simple, egg-shaped, deeply toothed; upper leaves on stem finely
divided, feather-like. Flowers small, 2 mm long, petals 5, white, on thin
stalks; in rounded clusters consisting of umbels with each ray again bearing
an umbel, inflorescence with lax, slender branches. Fruit flattish, 5-ribbed.
General: aromatic.
Grassland.
Spring–summer.
APOCYNACEAE
Asclepias albens (E.Mey.) Schltr.
Asclepias: named after the Greek doctor Aesculapius, immortalised as a god

of medicine; albens: whitened.
Cartwheels (E); segadya, sehlapišo (S)
Perennial herb, up to 300 mm tall. Rootstock tuberous. All parts roughly
hairy, sap milky. Leaves opposite, leathery, veins prominent below. Flow-
ers white, sometimes tinged pink, lobes bent backwards; numerous, in a
dense, rounded, terminal inflorescence, ± 45 mm in diameter, nodding.
Fruit bumpy, seeds brownish with tuft of hairs. General: used traditionally to
strengthen small babies.
Grassland, rocky areas.
Spring.
APOCYNACEAE
Asclepias cucullata (Schltr.) Schltr.
cucullata: hooded – refers to corona lobes.

Hooded meadow-star (E)
Slender, perennial herb, up to 300 mm tall. Rootstock woody; stems sprawl-
ing; sap milky. Leaves very narrow, margins rolled under. Flowers star-like,
± 8 mm in diameter; lobes spreading with tips turned up, off-white or mauve
to grey; corona lobes helmet-shaped, white and purple; in upright clusters.
Fruit long and smooth, seeds brownish with tuft of hairs.
Open mountain grassland.
Spring–summer (after fire).
APIACEAE
APOCYNACEAE
Aspidoglossum albocoronatum Bester & Nicholas
aspidos: small shield, glossa: tongue – refers to the shape of the corona
lobes; albocoronatum: white-crowned.
Segwete (S)
Erect, perennial herb, up to 500 mm tall. Tuber underground; stem rarely
branched; all parts with milky sap. Leaves usually opposite, narrow, margins
rolled under. Flowers with dark olive-green lobes, rolled up, corona 5-lobed,
white, conspicuous; in a rounded terminal cluster, ± 30 mm in diameter.
Fruit spindle-shaped, with soft prickles. General: endemic to Sekhukhune-
land. Tubers given to children to chew to keep
them busy.
LIM and MP.
Rocky grassland, mountain slopes.
Summer.
APOCYNACEAE
Ceropegia ampliata E.Mey.
keros: wax, pege: fountain – refers to the texture and form of the flowers;
ampliata: enlarged, increased.
Elephantine ceropegia (E); boesmanspypblom (A)
Twining perennial herb, stems up to 2 m long, succulent, apparently leaf-
less, rooting at nodes. Rootstock with a tuft of fleshy roots. Leaves minute,
drop off early. Flowers ± 60 mm long, straight or slightly curved, tube above
inflated base ± 12 mm wide, lobes narrowed to united tip, whitish, finely
striped pale greenish, lobes bright green, fragrant; 2–4 in clusters. General:
climber in bushes.
Bushveld, dry hillsides.
Summer.
APOCYNACEAE
Ceropegia circinata (E.Mey.) Bruyns
(= Brachystelma circinatum)
circinata: coiled inwards from tip – refers to flower lobes.
Bird-cage brachystelma (E); wilde-aartappel (A)
Erect, perennial herb, up to 200 mm tall. Tuber up to 100 mm in diameter;
stems 1–3, branching in upper part. Leaves flat or folded upwards, margins
± wavy, stalks short. Flowers with cylindrical beak in bud, up to 25 mm
long; lobes erect, narrow, divided nearly to base, tips united, cage-like, open
part becoming broader than base, white to ma-
roon; mostly in pairs at the nodes.
Grassland.
Spring.
APOCYNACEAE
APOCYNACEAE
Ceropegia meyeri Decne.
meyeri: named after Ernst H.F. Meyer (1791–1858), German professor of

botany.
Meyer’s ceropegia (E); setlika (S)
Slender, twining, perennial herb, stems up to 1.5 m long. Leaves soft, mar-
gins entire, toothed or lobed, wavy, hairy. Flowers skittle-shaped, ± 50 mm
long, tube straight, lobes narrow, fused at tips; white at the base, long pur-
ple-brown markings in upper part, lobes velvety black; 2–4 flowers together.
General: leaves cooked as spinach.
Scrub, forest margins.
Summer–autumn.
G. Grieve
APOCYNACEAE
Ceropegia pachypodium (R.A.Dyer) Bruyns
(= Brachystelma pachypodium)
pachys: thick, podion: foot – refers to the tuber.
Perennial herb, stems several, up to 200 mm long, ± erect or spreading. Tu-
ber relatively large, up to 130 mm in diameter, often exposed above ground.
Leaves broadly egg-shaped; stalks short, grooved above. Flowers ± 20 mm
long, with slender lobes insecurely united at tips, or sometimes free; cream
to greenish yellow; flowers 1 or 2, on both sides of leaf stalk. General: seems
to be restricted to quartzite rock formations of the Wolkberg.
LIM.
Shady kloofs of mountains.
Spring.
APOCYNACEAE
Cynanchum viminale (L.) L.
(= Sarcostemma viminale)
kynos: dog, anchein: to strangle or throttle; viminale: with long slender shoots.
Caustic vine (E); melktou (A); mutungu (V)
Trailing or twining shrub, stems up to 5 m long, greyish green, succu-
lent, becoming woody; sap milky. Often in dense masses on other plants.
Leaves reduced to scales. Flowers ± 10 mm in diameter, lobes slender;
sulphur-coloured or greenish white; corona white; fragrant; in clusters at
nodes and tips of stems. Fruit spindle-shaped, seeds with silky hairs. Gen-
eral: subsp. suberosum (Meve & Liede) Goyder
distinguished from subsp. viminale by its basal
part having a corky bark. Browsed by animals.
Bushveld, rocky places.
Summer.
APOCYNACEAE
APOCYNACEAE
Gomphocarpus physocarpus E.Mey.
gompho: club, carpus: fruit; physo: bladdery – refers to the inflated fruits.
Balloon cottonbush, hairy balls (E); balbossie (A)
Bushy, perennial herb, up to 1.6 m tall. All parts with milky sap. Leaves
opposite, narrow, tapering gradually towards the base. Flowers small, lobes
bent backwards, white; in nodding clusters. Fruit large, up to 70 mm in di-
ameter, roundish, inflated, covered in soft spines. General: a weed in places;
reportedly poisonous. Used traditionally to treat headache. For green fruit,
see p. 262.
On wet soils, disturbed areas.
Spring–summer.
APOCYNACEAE
Pachycarpus asperifolius Meisn.
(= Pachycarpus validus)
pachy: thick, carpus: fruit – refers to the thick-skinned fruit; asperifolius:
with rough leaves.
Giant milkweed (E); grootmelkbos (A)
Erect, robust, perennial herb, up to 900 mm tall. Stem unbranched. All parts
with milky sap. Leaves large, opposite, leathery, bristly hairy on both surfaces,
margins ± wavy, with fringe of hairs. Flowers ± 25 mm in diameter, nodding,
lobes bent backwards, margins rolled under, greenish white, often tinged with
purple, corona lobes ± blob-like; several togeth-
er at nodes. Fruit large, round, inflated.
Rocky grassland.
Spring–summer.
APOCYNACEAE
Pachycarpus schinzianus (Schltr.) N.E.Br.
schinzianus: named after Hans Schinz (1858–1941), Swiss professor of

botany who collected in South Africa and Namibia.
Lilac pachycarpus (E); bitterwortel (A)
Erect, perennial herb, up to 400 mm tall. All parts with milky sap. Leaves
opposite, on short stalks, large, rough-textured, margins wavy. Flowers
± 30 mm in diameter, cup-shaped, lobes erect, tips bent backwards, white
or cream-coloured and tinged pinkish purple at tips on back, corona lobes
white or pale lemon-yellow with a dark purple stripe on the inner surface; in
terminal clusters. Fruit inflated.
Stony grassland.
Spring–summer.
APOCYNACEAE
APOCYNACEAE
Strophanthus speciosus (Ward & Harv.) Reber
strophe: a twist, anthos: flower – refers to the flower lobes; speciosus: beau-
tiful.
Forest poison-rope (E); giftou (A); morarwane (S)
Woody climber, stems up to 20 m long, rope-like. Sap watery. Leaves nar-
rowly elliptic, veins sunken above, glossy dark green above, paler below,
3-whorled. Flowers showy, tubular, lobes slender, ± 30 mm long, twisted,
creamy or yellowish with red at base of lobes, scented; several in terminal
clusters. Fruit slender, paired; seeds with tufts of silky hairs. General: reput-
edly poisonous.
Mistbelt forest.
Spring–summer.
APOCYNACEAE
Xysmalobium acerateoides (Schltr.) N.E.Br.
xusma: fragment, lobos: lobe – refers to the corona divisions; a-: without,
cerato-: horned – refers to the two humps on inside of each petal.
Segadya (S)
Low-growing, perennial herb, stems up to 500 mm long. Branches re-
clining or lying on the ground; sap milky. Leaves opposite, long, lance- to
egg-shaped, wavy, roughly hairy on both sides. Flowers small, lobes erect,
cream-coloured; in ± 20-flowered, stalked clusters, ± 25 mm in diameter,
next to leaf axils or at branch tips. General: used traditionally to treat skin
cancer.
LIM and MP.
Grassland.
Spring–summer.
APOCYNACEAE
Xysmalobium confusum Scott-Elliot
confusum: uncertain, easily mistaken for another species.

Robust, erect perennial herb, up to 800 mm tall. Sap milky. Leaves opposite,
spreading, leathery, elliptic, ending in a short stiff point; midrib and side
veins conspicuous, yellowish; margins wavy, fringed with minute stiff hairs.
Flowers ± 17 mm in diameter, lobes 5, ± erect, margins rolled under, green-
ish brown; on slender stalks, ± 15 mm long; corona lobes broad, fleshy,
white, ± triangular when seen from above; many in numerous, stalkless
umbels, at nodes.
Grassland.
Summer.
APOCYNACEAE
APOCYNACEAE
Xysmalobium parviflorum Harv. ex Scott-Elliot
parviflorum: with small flowers.

Octopus cartwheel (E); segadya (S)
Perennial herb, up to 250 mm tall. Branching at base; branches erect or
lying on the ground near base; sap milky. Leaves smaller than those of X. ac-
erateoides, in 3–7 pairs to a branch, far apart, lance-shaped, hairy. Flowers
very small, lobes erect, greenish white, purplish down the back; in stalked
clusters, ± 18 mm in diameter, next to leaf axils or at branch tips. Fruit
smooth, seeds with tuft of hairs.
Grassland, rocky slopes.
Spring–summer.
APONOGETONACEAE
Aponogeton stuhlmannii Engl.
apon: water, geiton: neighbour; stuhlmannii: named after Franz L. Stuhl-

mann (1863–1928), German biologist.
Pondblossom (E); waterblaartjie (A)
Delicate, aquatic herb, up to 120 mm tall. Tuber round, covered with long,
fine roots. Leaves basal, stalks very long; blades narrow, floating on water
surface. Flowers small, white; in ± 5 mm long clusters. General: plant grows
fast under favourable conditions, tuber becoming dormant when pool dries
up.
GP, LIM, MP and NW.
Granite or sandstone rockpools.
Summer–autumn (depending on rainfall).
ARACEAE
Zantedeschia aethiopica (L.) Spreng.
Zantedeschia: named after Giovanni Zantedeschi (1773–1846), Italian

botanist; aethiopica: Ethiopian – refers to an African origin.
White arum lily (E); varklelie (A); mpokopoko (S)
Evergreen, perennial herb, up to 600 mm tall. In colonies. Tuber large.
Leaves green, heart-shaped, with long stalks. Flowers tiny, on central spike
with a male and a female zone; enclosed by a large, funnel-shaped bract
(wide-mouthed), white; on stem. General: leaves and stems used as a vege-
table; leaves used traditionally as a poultice. Garden plant, cut-flower.
Vleis, marshy areas.
Spring–summer.
APOCYNACEAE
ARACEAE
Zantedeschia albomaculata (Hook.) Baill.
Z. albomaculata subsp. albomaculata

albomaculata: white-spotted.
Arrow-leaved arum (E); witvlekvarkoor (A); tshihwilili (V)
Deciduous, erect, perennial herb, up to 750 mm tall. Leaves large, ar-
row-shaped; with or without white spots. Flowers tiny, on central spike; en-
closed by a large, cylindrical bract (narrow-mouthed), ± 100 mm long, pale
yellow to cream, turning green with age; dark purple blotch in the throat.
General: pink ‘Helen O’Connor’ variant endemic to Haenertsburg, is now
extinct in the wild. Leaves used as spinach.
Vleis, marshy soil beside rivers or streams,
grassy hillsides, forest margins.
Summer.
ASPARAGACEAE
Asparagus aggregatus (Oberm.) Fellingham & N.L.Mey.
asparagos: name for the cultivated asparagus; aggregatus: clustered.

Climbing shrublet, up to 3 m tall. Stems smooth, grey; spines short, bent
backwards; branches widely spaced. ‘Leaves’ erect, clustered in upper part
of short branches, flat, narrow, with pointed, brown tip. Flowers small,
± 7 mm in diameter, lobes bent backwards, white; 1–3 together above a
bract, in elongated inflorescences, ± 50 mm long. Fruit a berry.
LIM.
Bushveld, sandy soil or rocky hill slopes.
Summer.
ASPARAGACEAE
Asparagus asparagoides (L.) W.Wight
asparagoides: resembling the genus Asparagus.

Cape smilax (E); breëblaarklimop (A)
Scrambling, much-branched, perennial herb, stems up to 2 m long, twist-
ing, wiry, spineless; branches short. Root tubers. ‘Leaves’ soft, bright green.
Flowers ± 15 mm in diameter, white, striped with green, forming tube at
base, lobes curving back, stamens protruding. Fruit a berry, fleshy, round,
red. General: popular with florists and as a container plant.
Forest, wooded areas, riverbanks.
Spring–summer.
ARACEAE
ASPARAGACEAE
Asparagus edulis (Oberm.) J.-P.Lebrun & Stork
edulis: edible.
Wild asparagus (E)
Slender, perennial herb. Stems one to few, erect at first, lengthening and
scrambling with age; spines at base of stem, bent backwards; branches at
right angles to stem, young tips drooping in spring. ‘Leaves’ small, ± 5 mm
long, soft. Flowers star-like, small, ± 5 mm in diameter, white; 1–4 together.
Fruit a berry, round, red. General: browsed by game. Young shoots edible.
Grassland, scrub.
Spring–summer.
ASPARAGACEAE
Asparagus flavicaulis (Oberm.) Fellingham & N.L.Mey.
A. flavicaulis subsp. flavicaulis

flavicaulis: yellow-stemmed.
Erect shrublet, up to 300 mm tall. Rhizome woody. Stems yellow-brown
when young, becoming darker with age; branches ascending, with straight,
hard spines. ‘Leaves’ small, narrow, hairless, grey-green, in clusters. Flowers
star-like, white, sweetly scented, erect; near opposing ‘leaf’ clusters. Fruit
a berry, black. General: subsp. setulosus (Oberm.) Fellingham & N.L.Mey.
distinguished by minute bristles on its ‘leaves’.
GP, LIM, MP and NW.
Grassland, rocky hillsides.
Spring–summer.
ASPARAGACEAE
Asparagus laricinus Burch.
laricinus: larch-like.
Cluster-leaved asparagus (E); bergkatbos (A); lefalatsamaro (S)
Dense, erect, much-branched shrub, up to 2.5 m tall. Stems woody, whitish;
spines short, hard, on stems, branches and below ‘leaf’ clusters. ‘Leaves’
fine, rigid, cylindrical, in clusters. Flowers small, ± 2.5 mm long, white,
sweetly scented, pollen red/orange; on outside of ‘leaf’ clusters. Fruit a berry,
red. General: young shoots edible. Traditionally used to treat stomach and
menstrual pains; used as charm.
Bushveld, grassland.
Summer.
ASPARAGACEAE
ASPARAGACEAE
Asparagus virgatus Baker
virgatus: slender, rod-like.

Broom asparagus (E); lefalatsamaro (S)
Slender shrublet, up to 1 m tall. Stems green, angled, spineless, erect,
branching in upper half, branches spreading. ‘Leaves’ appearing after flow-
ers, thread-like, in clusters. Flowers small, ± 5 mm in diameter, lobes re-
curved, greenish white; solitary, hanging along branches. Fruit a berry, red.
General: browsed by game. Used for brooms and in traditional medicine to
treat stomach complaints.
In shade.
Spring–summer.
ASPHODELACEAE
Trachyandra saltii (Baker) Oberm.
T. saltii var. saltii

trachy-: rough, -andros: male – refers to the hairy filaments; saltii: named
after Henry Salt (1780–1827), British traveller in Abyssinia.
Vieruurtjies, wildeknoflok (A)
Tufted, perennial herb, up to 500 mm tall. Leaves basal, in clumps, grass-
like, tapering to the tip. Flowers star-like, ± 15 mm in diameter, white
with reddish brown stripes; open in the afternoon, closing at dusk; many, in
several terminal inflorescences, stems unbranched, lax, spreading, curved
near base, pushing inflorescences outside leaf
rosette.
Grassland, bushveld, stony hillsides.
Spring–summer.
ASTERACEAE
Afroaster comptonii (Lippert) J.C.Manning & Goldblatt
(= Aster comptonii)
afro-: from Africa, astron: star – refers to flower shape; comptonii: named
after Robert H. Compton (1886–1979), South African botanist.
Sekgalaka (S)
Erect, perennial herb, up to 700 mm tall. In clumps. Rootstock woody.
Leaves alternate, lance-shaped, margins toothed; rough to the touch. Flower
heads ± 25 mm in diameter, rays white, disc yellow; many flower heads in a
± flat-topped cluster. General: traditionally used to treat rashes and stomach
complaints.
LIM and MP.
Mountain grassland.
Spring–summer.
ASPARAGACEAE
ASTERACEAE
Afroaster nubimontis (Lippert) J.C.Manning & Goldblatt
(= Aster nubimontis)
nubes: cloud, mons: mountain – refers to the Wolkberg, Limpopo Province.
Very slender, perennial herb, up to 300 mm tall. Stem erect, only hairy in
lower part. Leaves usually on lower third of stem, egg- to lance-shaped, with
7 veins, roughly hairy, margins slightly toothed. Flower heads ± 25 mm in
diameter, rays white, disc yellow; 1 or 2 flower heads per stem. General:
endemic to the Woodbush Plateau and the Wolkberg; at altitudes above
1 600 m, a mistbelt species.
LIM.
Grassland, rock outcrops.
Spring.
ASTERACEAE
Afroaster serrulatus (Harv.) J.C.Manning & Goldblatt
(= Aster harveyanus)
serrulatus: finely toothed – refers to the leaves.
Wild aster (E); bloublommetjie (A)
Slender, erect, perennial herb, up to 650 mm tall. Rootstock woody; stems
sparsely branched; stems, leaves and bracts hairless. Leaves stalkless, al-
ternate, grey-green, lance-shaped, rough margins with minute teeth, 3–5
prominent parallel veins. Flower heads ± 25 mm in diameter, rays white
or mauve, disc yellow; solitary, on long stalks.
Grassland, often among rock outcrops.
Spring.
ASTERACEAE
Artemisia afra Jacq. ex Willd.
Artemis: Greek goddess of hunting; afra: African.

African wormwood (E); wilde-als (A); lengana, moilantši (S)
Multi-stemmed, erect, perennial shrub, up to 2 m tall. Strongly aromatic.
Leaves alternate, feathery, finely divided, greyish green. Flower heads small,
± 3 mm long, composed of disc flowers only, inconspicuous, pale yellow,
nodding; many, borne on upper branches. General: widely used in tradition-
al medicine for the treatment of colds, tuberculosis, stomach ailments and
malaria.
Forest margins, scrub.
Summer–autumn.
ASTERACEAE
ASTERACEAE
*Bidens pilosa L.
bidens: 2-toothed – refers to bristles on the fruit; pilosa: hairy.

Blackjack (E); knapsekêrel (A); mokolonyane (S); mushidzhi (V)
Erect, annual herb, up to 1.5 m tall. Stem 4-angled. Leaves with 3 or 5 leaf-
lets, margins toothed. Flower heads ± 10 mm in diameter, rays white, usu-
ally 4–8 when fully developed, disc yellow. Fruit black, with barbed awns,
sticking to clothing and hair. General: young leaves and shoots cooked as a
vegetable. Widespread weed, often germinating in dense mats; indigenous
to South America.
Disturbed places.
Spring–summer.
ASTERACEAE
Callilepis leptophylla Harv.
kallos: beauty, lepis: scale; leptophylla: with slender leaves.

Ox-eye daisy (E); bergbitterbossie (A); phela (S).
Bushy, perennial herb, up to 600 mm tall. Rootstock tuberous, large. Stem
branched and densely leafy below, laxly leafy above. Leaves needle-like,
lower ones ± 40 mm long. Flower heads large, ± 40 mm in diameter, rays
creamy white, disc purplish black; solitary on long stems. General: used in
traditional medicine as a cough remedy.
GP, KZN, LIM and MP.
Open grassland.
ASTERACEAE
Callilepis salicifolia Oliv.
salicifolia: with leaves like the genus Salix, a willow.

Phelana (S)
Perennial herb, up to 600 mm tall. Rootstock large. Leaves long, narrow,
tapering gradually, with a single vein, margins with minute teeth, stalkless,
alternate. Flower heads large, ± 40 mm in diameter, rays creamy white, disc
purplish black; solitary on long stems. General: used in traditional medicine
to treat gonorrhoea, HIV/AIDS and leukaemia.
Grassland.
Spring–summer.
ASTERACEAE
ASTERACEAE
Dimorphotheca caulescens Harv.
dis: twice, morph: shape, theka: fruit – refers to two kinds of fruit in the
same fruiting head; caulescens: having a stem.
Marguerite (E); magriet, bietou (A)
Perennial herb, up to 300 mm tall. Stems short, tufted, leafy for ± two-
thirds their length. Leaves basal, narrowly lance-shaped, distinct midrib.
Flower heads ± 30 mm in diameter, rays white above, purplish underneath,
disc yellow; solitary on long stems. General: toxic to stock.
Rocky grassland.
Spring–summer.
ASTERACEAE
Eumorphia davyi Bolus
eu: well, morphe: form – alluding to the neatness of the leaves; davyi:
named after Joseph Burtt Davy (1870–1940), South African botanist.
Compact shrub, up to 600 mm tall. Stems erect, branching, nude below
becoming densely leafy. Leaves needle-like, ± 10 mm long, sharply point-
ed. Flower heads ± 20 mm in diameter, rays white, disc yellow; solitary at
branchlet tips. General: a mistbelt species on the Wolkberg and the northern
MP escarpment.
LIM and MP.
On mountains, among rocks.
Spring–summer.
ASTERACEAE
Felicia bechuanica Mattf.
felix: happy, cheerful – possibly refers to the bright flowers; bechuanica:

of Botswana.
Dwarf shrub, up to 200 mm tall. Branches gnarled, woody and covered
with dark bark in lower part, erect or ascending, densely hairy. Leaves alter-
nate, erect, stalkless, long, narrow, hairy, on upper branches. Flower heads
± 13 mm in diameter, rays white, disc yellow; solitary on short stalks. Gen-
eral: known to occur in Botswana.
LIM.
Rock crevices.
Summer.
ASTERACEAE
ASTERACEAE
Felicia muricata (Thunb.) Nees
F. muricata subsp. muricata

muricata: rough with short hard points.
White felicia (E); taai-astertjie (A)
Tufted, much-branched, perennial herb, up to 300 mm tall. Woody at base;
roughly hairy throughout. Leaves many, needle-like, with scattered hairs.
Flower heads ± 15 mm in diameter, rays white or mauve, disc yellow; soli-
tary, on long leafless stalks at the tip of branches. General: subsp. strictifolia
Grau with hairless leaves is not as widely dis-
tributed in LIM. Browsed by sheep and goats.
Grassland; overgrazed places.
Spring–summer.
ASTERACEAE
Gazania krebsiana Less.
G. krebsiana subsp. serrulata (DC.) Roessler

gaza: riches – refers to the brilliant colours; krebsiana: named after Georg
L.E. Krebs (1792–1844), German apothecary who collected plants in
the Cape; serrulata: finely toothed.
Grassland gazania (E); witgousblommetjie (A); boyetse (S)
Small, perennial herb, up to 150 mm tall. Stemless; sap milky. Leaves tufted,
narrow, upper surface green, lower white-felted; margins rolled under. Flower
heads ± 50 mm in diameter; rays white or yellow with green stripe below,
disc yellow; solitary. General: subsp. arctotoides
(Less.) Roessler mostly with divided leaves. For
yellow-flowered form see p. 120.
Grassland.
Spring–summer.
ASTERACEAE
Gerbera ambigua (Cass.) Sch.Bip.
Gerbera: named after Traugott Gerber (1710–1743), German naturalist;

ambigua: doubtful, uncertain.
Pink and white gerbera (E); griekwateebossie (A)
Erect perennial herb, up to 350 mm tall. Rootstock thickened. Leaves in
basal rosette, stalked, variable in shape, green and hairy above, white-felted
below. Flower heads ± 30 mm in diameter, rays white or yellow above, cop-
pery below; disc white, yellow, reddish or blackish; solitary, on long, leafless
stalks. General: for yellow-flowered form see p. 121.
Open bushveld, grassland, along rivers.
Spring–summer.
ASTERACEAE
ASTERACEAE
Gerbera natalensis Sch.Bip.
(= G. viridifolia subsp. natalensis)

natalensis: from KwaZulu-Natal.
Groenteebossie (A)
Perennial herb, up to 300 mm tall. Leaves appearing after flowers, basal,
stalked, entire, slightly wavy; young leaves and base of stalks covered in long
silky hairs. Flower heads ± 25 mm in diameter, rays white to pink above,
usually pinkish below; disc white or yellow; solitary on leafless stalks; open-
ing in the morning and closing by midday.
Open grassland, often on slopes.
Spring (one of the first after fire).
ASTERACEAE
Gerbera piloselloides (L.) Cass.
piloselloides: with shaggy hairs.

Small yellow gerbera (E); swartteebossie (A)
Perennial herb, up to 300 mm tall. Hairy throughout. Leaves in a basal,
flattened rosette, elliptic with a rounded tip, almost stalkless. Flower heads
± 20 mm in diameter, solitary; rays short, white, pink or yellow, disc colour
as the rays; stalk erect, leafless, swollen below flower head. General: used
in traditional medicine to treat internal sores. For yellow-flowered form see
p. 122.
Open grassland, bushveld, grassy slopes,
rocky soil.
Spring–summer.
ASTERACEAE
Gerbera viridifolia (DC.) Sch.Bip.
viridifolia: with green leaves.

Blushing Barberton daisy (E); griekwatee (A)
Perennial herb, up to 250 mm tall. Leaves appear with flowers; basal,
stalked, elliptic; upper surface green with long hairs; lower surface sparsely
hairy, green, never white-felted. Flower heads ± 30 mm in diameter, rays
white to pink above, usually pinkish below; disc white, yellow or tinged
greenish; solitary on long leafless stalks.
Open grassland, bushveld, riverbanks, moun-
tainsides.
Spring–summer.
ASTERACEAE
ASTERACEAE
Helichrysum caespititium (DC.) Harv.
helios: sun, chrysos: gold – refers to the glossy yellow bracts of some spe-
cies; caespititium: growing in clumps.
Speelwonderboom (A); bokgatha, mabjana, mmeetse (S)
Compact, low-growing, perennial herb, ± 10 mm tall. Mat-forming; profuse-
ly branched, densely leafy. Leaves small, needle-like, silvery woolly. Flow-
er heads numerous, very small, ± 2 mm in diameter, disc flowers yellow,
surrounded by white or pink bracts; stalkless; solitary or in small groups.
General: colonises open spaces. Used in traditional medicine to treat hyper-
tension, diarrhoea, diabetes, epilepsy; cleansing
treatment.
Bare or sparsely grassed areas, often in
disturbed areas.
Spring–summer.
ASTERACEAE
Helichrysum confertifolium Klatt
confertifolium: closely set with leaves.

Mat-forming perennial herb, up to 400 mm tall. Rooting branches lying on
the ground, spreading from woody rootstock; flowering stems numerous,
erect, densely leafy. Leaves small, narrow, 3–5-veined, margins weakly
rolled under, both surfaces silvery white-felted, stem clasping. Flower heads
bell-shaped, ± 25 mm in diameter, disc flowers yellow, surrounded by bracts
glossy white inside, chestnut-brown outside; terminal, mostly solitary.
Short rocky grassland, rock sheets and other
bare areas.
Summer.
ASTERACEAE
Helichrysum junodii Moeser
junodii: named after Henri A. Junod (1863–1934), Swiss missionary and

botanical explorer of South Africa.
Stoutly branched low-growing shrub, up to 500 mm tall. Leaves spreading,
later bent downwards, narrow, leaf margins ± rolled under, grey-hairy, lower
surface thickly white-woolly. Flower heads bell-shaped, large, ± 30 mm in
diameter, disc flowers yellow, surrounded by ± 10 series of bracts, inner
series white, outer rose-pink; solitary at branchlet tips. General: endemic to
the Wolkberg, occurs on quartzite.
LIM.
Rock outcrops in grassland and on mountains.
Autumn–winter.
ASTERACEAE
ASTERACEAE
Helichrysum oxyphyllum DC.
oxy: sharp-pointed, phylum: leaf.

Motlatlaila (S)
Robust, perennial herb, up to 600 mm tall. Rootstock woody; flowering stem
leafy below. Leaves large, elliptic to egg-shaped, narrowed to slender stalk,
margins often wavy, grey-green above, white-felted below; 3-, rarely 5-veined.
Flower heads ± 6 mm in diameter, yellow; surrounded by ± 4 series of bracts,
inner tipped creamy, outer reddish; many in compact, slightly rounded,
branched inflorescence, ± 120 mm in diameter. General: differs from the closely
related H. pallidum in the leaf characters. Some-
times treated as H. nudifolium (L.) Less. var. oxy-
phyllum (DC.) Beentje. Used to make a herbal tea.
Grassland.
Spring–summer.
ASTERACEAE
Helichrysum platypterum DC.
platypterum: broad-winged – refers to the leaf-bases.

Robust, perennial herb, up to 1 m tall. Tuber woody, up to 60 mm in diam-
eter; stems solitary or several together, erect, thinly white-downy, leafy in
lower part. Leaves large, lower broadly elliptic, upper narrower and smaller,
3- or 5-veined, contracted to broadly winged base, clasping stem. Flower
heads small, yellow; surrounded by silvery white bracts, sometimes tinged
palest brown, not spreading; many in large, branched, spreading inflores-
cences, up to 200 mm across.
Damp grassy mountain slopes, forest margins.
Summer.
ASTERACEAE
Helichrysum polycladum Klatt
polycladum: with many shoots.

Bushy herb, up to 1 m tall. In rounded clumps. Stems many, growing from
a central base, long, thin, woody, brittle, densely leafy, sometimes tan-
gled. Leaves narrow, sharply pointed, margins rolled under, lower surface
white-woolly. Flower heads tiny, ± 1.5 mm in diameter, cylindrical, disc
flowers yellow, surrounded by cream-coloured, crisped bracts; in compact,
terminal clusters. General: also recorded from the eastern highlands of Zim-
babwe.
Rocky outcrops.
Autumn.
ASTERACEAE
ASTERACEAE
Helichrysum rugulosum Less.
rugulosum: wrinkled – refers to the leaves.

Slender, erect, perennial herb, up to 300 mm tall. Rootstock creeping. Stems
many, thinly white-felted, densely leafy. Leaves narrow, stalkless, greyish
green, wrinkled, margins slightly rolled under, lower surface white-felted.
Flower heads small, ± 4 mm in diameter, bell-shaped, disc flowers yellow,
surrounded by bracts, pinkish initially, later creamy; in compact, terminal
clusters. General: invades overgrazed areas, roadsides.
Poor sandy or stony grassland.
Summer.
ASTERACEAE
Helichrysum spiralepis Hilliard & B.L.Burtt
spiralepis: spirally arranged scales – refers to the bracts.

Rounded herb, up to 300 mm tall. Tufted; all parts grey-woolly; stems an-
nual, numerous. Leaves in basal rosette, stem leaves smaller; upper leaves
forming a rosette below the inflorescence. Flower heads small, ± 3 mm in
diameter, narrowly bell-shaped, disc flowers creamy, bracts whitish, creamy,
pink or red-purple, musky smell; in slightly rounded inflorescences. General:
visited by beetles. Used in traditional medicine to treat a rash on a small
child’s head.
Grassland.
Summer.
ASTERACEAE
Helichrysum wilmsii Moeser
wilmsii: named after Friedrich Wilms (1848–1919), German apothecary

who collected plants in South Africa.
Shrublet, up to 300 mm tall. Branches long, loose, straggling, white-wool-
ly. Leaves variable in shape, base broad, more or less clasping branches,
white-woolly below; smaller and more distant upwards. Flower heads bell-
shaped, large, ± 25 mm in diameter, disc flowers yellow, surrounded by
± 10 series of papery bracts, inner series white to pale pink, outer chestnut-
brown sometimes tinged rose; solitary, at tips of branches.
LIM and MP.
Rocky grassland, forest margins.
Summer–autumn.
ASTERACEAE
ASTERACEAE
Inezia speciosa Brusse
Inezia: named after Inez C. Verdoorn (1896–1989), South African botanist;

speciosa: beautiful.
Erect, perennial herb, up to 450 mm tall. Rootstock woody; main stem sim-
ple or 2-branched; secondary branches on lower third of the stem, numer-
ous, densely leafy. Leaves up to 20 mm long, stalkless, entire (younger)
to divided (older), densely silvery hairy. Flower heads large, ± 25 mm in
diameter, rays white, disc yellow; solitary on long, leafless stalks. General:
currently known only from the slopes of the Wolkberg.
LIM.
Grassy slopes in mistbelt.
Summer.
ASTERACEAE
Lactuca inermis Forssk.
Lactuca: Latin name for lettuce; inermis: without thorns.

Wild lettuce (E)
Erect, perennial herb, up to 1 m tall but usually much smaller (300 mm tall).
Rootstock thick, woody; sap milky. Leaves narrow, long, with bluish tinge;
mainly in a basal rosette. Flower heads ± 15 mm in diameter, comprising
ray flowers only, white or bluish; in loosely branched inflorescence. General:
young leaves cooked as pot herb.
Short grassland; pioneer in disturbed areas.
Spring–summer.
ASTERACEAE
Lopholaena disticha (N.E.Br.) S.Moore
lophos: a crest, chlaina: a cloak – refers to the shape of the bracts; disticha:
in 2 ranks – refers to the leaves.
White fluff-bush (E); sedumela (S)
Perennial herb, up to 600 mm tall. Leaves stalkless, continuing a little down
the stem, waxy, alternate; arranged in 2 opposite rows on the stem. Flower
heads small, comprising disc flowers only, creamy white; solitary or a few to-
gether, often partly hidden by leaf-like bracts. General: a distinctive species,
remarkable for the arrangement of its leaves.
KZN, LIM and MP.
Rocky grassland on mountains.
Autumn–spring.
ASTERACEAE
ASTERACEAE
Lopholaena festiva Brusse
festiva: festive, splendid.

Shiny fluff-bush (E)
Shrub, up to 1 m tall. Stem and branches woody. Leaves pale bluish green,
almost succulent, stalkless, midrib raised below, visible above; alternate.
Flower heads small, ± 5 mm in diameter, first cylindrical then flaring above,
comprising disc flowers only; white, purple anthers protruding from open
flowers; scented; in terminal clusters. General: southern African endemic.
Occurs on quartzite or sandstone.
LIM.
Wooded mountainsides.
Throughout the year.
ASTERACEAE
Macledium zeyheri (Sond.) S.Ortíz
(= Dicoma zeyheri)
Macledium: probably named after William S. Macleay (1792–1865), En-
glish natural historian; zeyheri: named after Carl L.P. Zeyher (1799–
1858), German botanist who collected in South Africa.
Doll’s protea (E); jakkalsbos (A)
Prickly, erect, perennial herb, up to 300 mm tall. Rootstock woody. Leaves
lance-shaped to oval, green above, white-felted below. Flower heads pro-
tea-like, ± 45 mm in diameter, white at first then brownish red, surrounded by
long bracts, sharply pointed, silvery tinged purple;
solitary or few in terminal inflorescences. Gener-
al: dried flowers remain on the plants in winter.
Grassland.
Summer–autumn.
ASTERACEAE
Senecio pentactinus Klatt
senex: old man – refers to whitish grey ring of hairs around the top of the
fruit; penta: five, aktis: rays.
Robust, erect, perennial herb, up to 1.5 m tall. Rootstock woody; stems
several, grooved, unbranched, densely leafy. Leaves on short stalks, lance-
shaped, conspicuously veined, margins sharply toothed. Flower heads
± 14 mm in diameter; rays 5, white, spreading; many, in terminal, much-
branched, slightly rounded inflorescences. General: eaten by stock.
GP, LIM, MP and NW.
Grassland, shrubland.
Summer.
ASTERACEAE
ASTERACEAE
Seriphium plumosum L.
(= Stoebe plumosa)
seriph: a stroke or line of a letter – refers to the pattern of wiry branches
forming straight ‘lines’ at right angles to the stem; plumosum: feathery.
Bankrupt bush (E); bankrotbos, slangbos (A)
Spreading, much-branched shrub, up to 1 m tall. Branches slender, wiry,
young parts covered with white-woolly hairs. Leaves small, needle-like,
grey-green. Flower heads minute, in clusters along top of branches, flowers
purple-tipped, inconspicuous. General: large, fluffy, white galls (see image)
usually present and mistaken for flower heads.
Often occurs in mismanaged grassland.
Almost any habitat, overgrazed and disturbed
areas.
Autumn.
ASTERACEAE
Stomatanthes africanus (Oliv. & Hiern) R.M.King & H.Rob.
stoma: an opening, anthos: flower – refers to mouth-like pores on the back

of the petals; africanus: from Africa.
Multi-stemmed, bushy herb, up to 600 mm tall. Rootstock woody; stems
erect, ribbed, thinly hairy. Leaves lance-shaped, stalks short; margins irreg-
ularly, sharply toothed; alternate. Flower heads small, ± 5 mm in diameter,
with spidery appearance, comprising disc flowers only, white; in dense, nar-
rowly branched, flat-topped inflorescences. General: seen after fire. Wide-
spread in tropical Africa.
LIM and MP.
Grassland on hillsides.
Spring–summer.
ASTERACEAE
Zoutpansbergia caerulea Hutch.
Zoutpansbergia: refers to the Soutpansberg, Limpopo Province; caerulea:

blue.
Soutpansberg marguerite (E); soutpansbergmadeliefie (A); nyatsi (V)
Shrub, up to 3 m tall. Leaves alternate, narrow, margins toothed in upper
half; stalks very short. Flower heads ± 20 mm in diameter, rays and disc
white, protruding anthers and styles rose-pink; solitary or up to 5 at branch
tips, in axils of upper leaves. General: used in traditional medicine to treat
tuberculosis. Endemic to the Soutpansberg, Blouberg and Makgabeng.
LIM.
Mountainsides.
Autumn–winter.
ASTERACEAE
BORAGINACEAE
Cynoglossum lanceolatum Forssk.
kynos: dog, glossa: tongue – refers to the texture and shape of the leaves;
lanceolatum: lance-shaped.
Hound’s tongue (E); knoppiesklits (A)
Erect, perennial herb, up to 1 m tall. Slightly branched; stem and leaves
covered with stiff hairs. Leaves alternate, lance-shaped, variable in size,
stem leaves reaching the base of the inflorescence. Flowers very small,
5-lobed, white or pale blue; in a loosely branched, terminal inflorescence
which lengthens considerably in fruit. Fruit comprised of 4 nutlets, with
small hooked spines.
Stream banks, vleis, grassland, disturbed
places.
Summer.
BORAGINACEAE
Trichodesma physaloides (Fenzl) A.DC.
trichos: hair, desmos: bond – refers to hairs uniting the stamens; physaloi-
des: resembles the genus Physalis, the Cape gooseberry.
Chocolate bells (E); sjokoladeklokkies (A)
Bushy, perennial herb, up to 500 mm tall. Rootstock woody; stems erect,
purplish brown. Leaves lance-shaped, stalkless, grey-green; opposite; devel-
oping during flowering. Flowers bell-shaped, ± 20 mm in diameter, nod-
ding, white, with the margins fading to brown; calyx dark pink to brown,
enlarging around the fruit; in branched, terminal inflorescences.
Spring (abundant after fire).
BRASSICACEAE
*Nasturtium officinale W.T.Aiton
nasus: nose, tortus: twisted – refers to acrid smell causing the nose to wrin-
kle; officinalis: medicinal.
Watercress (E); bronkors (A); manokeng (S)
Perennial, aquatic herb, stems up to 1 m long. Mat-forming; erect, creeping
or floating. Leaves bright green, with 3–11 leaflets, terminal leaflet often
larger than side leaflets, margins entire. Flowers small, 5 mm long, 4-lobed,
white; in terminal, elongated inflorescences. General: introduced from Eu-
rope, used in salads. Traditionally used to treat cataracts.
Invades riverbanks and wetlands.
Spring–summer.
BORAGINACEAE
CAMPANULACEAE
Craterocapsa tarsodes Hilliard & B.L.Burtt
kratero-: strong, capsa: box – refers to the hard fruits; tarsodes: mat-form-
ing.
Carpet bell flower (E)
Mat-forming, perennial herb. Tap root thick; stems short, ending in rosettes of
leaves. Leaves lance-shaped, stiff. Flowers stalkless, bell-shaped, ± 15 mm
in diameter, 5-lobed, white or pale blue; solitary, in axils of terminal leaves,
opening one at a time. Fruit a capsule. General: used in traditional medicine
to treat tonsillitis.
Rocky grassland.
Summer.
CAMPANULACEAE
Wahlenbergia madagascariensis A.DC.
Wahlenbergia: named after Georg Wahlenberg (1780–1851), Swedish

professor of medicine and botany; madagascariensis: from Madagascar.
Delicate, trailing or ascending herb, stems up to 500 mm long, often rooting
at the nodes, forking into 2 equal branches. Leaves opposite, almost stalk-
less, elliptic; margins ± wavy, notched; midvein prominent below. Flowers
small, ± 4.5 mm long, 5-lobed, white; in leafy, forked inflorescences or
terminal, but usually becoming overtopped by a shoot from the uppermost
leaf axil.
Forest, forest margins, along streams.
Summer.
CAMPANULACEAE
Wahlenbergia magaliesbergensis Lammers
magaliesbergensis: from the Magaliesberg, Gauteng and North West prov-

inces.
Aromatic herb, up to 400 mm tall. Stems many from woody base, erect,
wiry. Leaves few, alternate, very narrow, the lower ± 15 mm long, the up-
per shorter and distant. Flowers small, erect, 5-lobed, lobes white, narrow,
curving back; stamens shortly protruding; style conspicuous, pale blue, pro-
truding by ± 4 mm; inflorescences lax, branched, nearly leafless. General:
southern African endemic.
GP, LIM, MP and NW.
Grassland, rock crevices.
Summer–autumn.
CAMPANULACEAE
CAMPANULACEAE
Wahlenbergia virgata Engl.
virgata: twiggy, rod-like.

Lax, erect, perennial herb, up to 500 mm tall. Taproot woody; stems few;
branches many, slender, wiry. Leaves inconspicuous, few, small, often scale-
like, scattered on the stem. Flowers bell-shaped, 5-lobed, ± 10 mm long,
lobed to ± two-thirds of the length, style shorter than the petals; white,
pale blue or yellowish; solitary, on long stalks. Fruit a capsule. General: for
blue-coloured form see p. 226.
Grassland, along streams, stony soil.
Spring–summer.
CAPPARACEAE
Maerua cafra (DC.) Pax
Maerua: thought to be an Arabian name; cafra: from Caffraria, an old name

for the Eastern Cape.
Bush cherry (E); witbos (A); monna-ga-apara (S); mutshalimela (V)
Evergreen shrub up to 1.5 m tall in grassland, or tree up to 10 m high in
forest. Leaves dark green; with 3–5 elliptic leaflets. Flowers with tuft of
spreading white stamens up to 30 mm long, petals absent, scented; in ter-
minal clusters. Fruit green, slightly ribbed, hanging on long stalks. General:
traditional aphrodisiac. Attractive garden plant; flowers visited by sunbirds
and butterflies.
Bushveld, forest.
Spring.
CAPRIFOLIACEAE
*Lonicera japonica Thunb.
Lonicera: named after Adam Lonitzer (1528–1586), German physician and

botanist; japonica: from Japan.
Japanese honeysuckle (E); Japanse kanferfoelie (A)
Vigorous climber, stems up to 9 m long. Semi-evergreen or evergreen. Leaves
dark green, paler below, egg-shaped, opposite. Flowers tubular, ± 40 mm
long, 2-lipped, white, ageing to yellow, fragrant; in pairs in leaf axils. Fruit
a berry, black. General: ornamental plant introduced from East Asia. Seeds
dispersed by birds.
Invades forests and riverbanks close to habi-
tation.
Summer.
CAMPANULACEAE
CARYOPHYLLACEAE
Dianthus mooiensis F.N.Williams
dios: divine, anthos: flower; mooiensis: from Mooi River, North West Prov-
ince.
Frilly carnation (E); wilde-angelier (A)
Erect, perennial herb, up to 400 mm tall. Rootstock woody; stems strag-
gling. Leaves bluish green, narrow, tapering to a point; in basal rosette,
stem leaves in pairs, each pair joined at the base into a short sheath, widely
spaced. Flowers ± 20 mm in diameter, lobes deeply fringed, white to pale
pink; calyx tube ± 20 mm long, with several bracts at the base; solitary, at
tip of slender stem.
Summer.
CARYOPHYLLACEAE
Silene undulata Aiton
S. undulata subsp. undulata

sialon: saliva – refers to some species having sticky stems; undulata: wavy
– refers to leaf margins.
Gunpowder plant (E); wildetabak (A)
Erect, perennial herb, up to 1.2 m tall. Base woody; stems ribbed, branch-
es few. Leaves lance-shaped, margins slightly wavy; in basal rosette, stem
leaves opposite. Flowers erect, ± 30 mm in diameter, petals 2-lobed, white
to pale pink; calyx tubular, dark ribbed; on long stalks; in loose, branching
inflorescence; open in late afternoon.
Grassland, damp places.
Summer.
CELASTRACEAE
Gymnosporia buxifolia (L.) Szyszyl.
gymnosporia: naked seed; buxifolia: with leaves resembling those of the

genus Buxus.
Spikethorn (E); pendoring (A); mothlonu (S); tshiphandwa (V)
Small tree, usually ± 3 m tall. Main stem with thick, rough bark. Branches
somewhat drooping; spines robust. Leaves broadest near the tip, tapering to-
wards the base, margins finely toothed in upper half, dull grey-green. Flowers
small, ± 6 mm in diameter, white; in clusters in leaf axils; foetid smell. Fruit
small, round, rough capsules.
Rock outcrops, scrub, forest margins, dis-
turbed places.
Spring–summer.
CARYOPHYLLACEAE
COLCHICACEAE
Colchicum striatum (Hochst. ex A.Rich.) J.C.Manning & Vinn.
(= Androcymbium striatum)
Colchicum: of Colchis, on the Black Sea; striatum: striped.
Pyjama flower (E); patrysblom (A)
Perennial herb, up to 300 mm tall. Stem short, up to 200 mm long. Leaves
long, narrow, channelled, sheathing the stem; in 2 opposite rows. Flow-
ers several, small, greenish; anthers conspicuous, yellow; hidden by broad
bracts, white with green veins, the whole resembling one flower, ± 75 mm
in diameter. General: found at higher altitudes.
Grassland, in rock crevices.
Summer.
CONVOLVULACEAE
Convolvulus farinosus L.
convolvere: to entwine; farinosus: covered in a dusting of flour.

Wild bindweed (E); klimop (A); legollane (S)
Twining, perennial herb. Stems many, long, slender. Plant covered in short
hairs. Leaves arrow-shaped, basal lobes broadly rounded, green above, grey
below. Flowers funnel-shaped, ± 15 mm in diameter, 5-angled, white or
very pale pink; bracts minute; in 1–6-flowered clusters. Fruit an almost
round capsule. General: used in traditional medicine to stop milk flow before
birth and for wound healing.
Grassland, scrub, bushveld.
Summer–autumn.
CONVOLVULACEAE
Convolvulus natalensis Bernh. ex Krauss

Yellow convolvulus (E)
Trailing, perennial herb, stems up to 1 m long. Taproot woody; plant hairy
throughout. Leaves variable, narrow to heart-shaped, margins irregular-
ly wavy or toothed. Flowers funnel-shaped, ± 35 mm in diameter, 5-an-
gled, creamy white or pale yellow, area in middle of petals greenish; calyx
± 14 mm long; stalk up to 70 mm long. Fruit an almost round capsule.
Rocky grassland.
Spring–summer.
COLCHICACEAE
CONVOLVULACEAE
*Cuscuta campestris Yunck.
Cuscuta: Latin name for dodder; campestris: pertaining to flat areas.

Common dodder (E); warkruid (A)
Leafless, twining parasite, forming dense masses. Stems yellowish, thread-
like; after seedling stage rootless, attached to host plants by numerous suck-
ers. Flowers minute, ± 4 mm in diameter, whitish, lobes spreading; in com-
pact, round clusters. Fruit greenish yellow capsules, usually with 4 seeds.
General: on vegetation, recorded on a wide range of hosts. Noxious weed;
indigenous to North America.
Spring–autumn.
CONVOLVULACEAE
Ipomoea simplex Thunb.
ips: bindweed, Convolvulus species, homoios: resembling; simplex: undi-

vided, unbranched.
Dwarf white ipomoea (E); uintjie (A)
Small, perennial herb, up to 100 mm tall. Rootstock thick, tuberous, up to
100 mm long; stems woody, gnarled, erect, furrowed. Leaves almost stalk-
less, long, narrow, tapering at tip and base. Flowers large, funnel-shaped,
± 25 mm in diameter, shallowly lobed, white; solitary in leaf axils. General:
tubers edible, known as ‘wanderer’s food’.
Grassland.
Spring.
CRASSULACEAE
Crassula acinaciformis Schinz
crassus: thick – refers to fleshy leaves; acinaciformis: sword-shaped.

Giant crassula (E); reuseplakkie (A)
Robust, succulent herb, up to 1.3 m tall. Leaves erect, yellowish green,
broad at base, narrowing to sharp point; in a rosette in a juvenile plant;
spirally arranged on elongating stem of mature plant. Flowers tiny, creamy
white, honey-scented; many, in a large, branched inflorescence, up to
400 mm wide, slightly domed, on single flowering stem. General: plant takes
3–4 years to mature and flower, after which it dies.
KZN, LIM and MP.
Grassy, often rocky slopes.
Summer–autumn.
CONVOLVULACEAE
CRASSULACEAE
Crassula capitella Thunb.
C. capitella subsp. nodulosa (Schönland) Toelken

capitella: small head; nodulosa: with little knobs.
Erect, perennial succulent, up to 400 mm tall. Stem hairy. Leaves fleshy,
green to brown, often tinged red, lance- to egg-shaped, margins usually with
short hairs; in pairs, spirally arranged in a basal rosette. Flowers small, urn-
shaped, white, cream or tinged pink; stamens with brown to black anthers;
in an unbranched, elongated inflorescence with leaf-like bracts, decreasing in
size upwards. General: subsp. sessilicymula (Mogg) Toelken, distinguished
by its inflorescences branched from the base.
GP, LIM, MP and NC.
Grassland, gravelly slopes.
Summer.
CRASSULACEAE
Crassula cymbiformis Toelken
cymbiformis: boat-shaped.
Branched shrublet, up to 200 mm tall. Branches thick, lying on the ground
with tips ascending. Leaves fleshy, green often tinged red, broad base, tips
pointed, distinctly boat-shaped; ± 4-ranked. Flowers small, ± 4 mm long,
tubular, 5-lobed, lobes spreading to recurved later, white, stamens with
brown to black anthers; bracts relatively large; in terminal, flat-topped to
irregularly branched inflorescence. General: endemic to the Waterberg.
LIM.
Shallow soil on rocks.
Summer.
CRASSULACEAE
Crassula dependens Bolus
dependens: hanging down.

Perennial herb, up to 200 mm tall. Much branched; branches lying on the
ground with tips ascending. Leaves green to brown, lance-shaped, sharply
tipped. Flowers small, tubular, 5-lobed, lobes ± 5 mm long, sharply pointed,
curved backwards, white to cream, stamens with brown anthers; calyx lobes
narrowly triangular, green or tinged red; in ± flat-topped inflorescences.
Rock outcrops, on shallow soil or in rock crevices.
Summer.
CRASSULACEAE
CRASSULACEAE
Crassula lanceolata (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Endl. ex Walp.
C. lanceolata subsp. transvaalensis (Kuntze) Toelken

lanceolata: lance-shaped – refers to the leaves; transvaalensis: from the
former Transvaal.
Small perennial herb, up to 150 mm tall. Stem erect, branched mainly
from the base. Leaves triangular to lance-shaped, ending in a colourless
tip, fleshy, stalkless. Flowers ± 3 mm in diameter, cup-shaped, 5-lobed,
± stalkless, pale yellowish green; anthers yellow; calyx 0.8–1.5 mm long;
clustered in axils of leaves. General: subsp. lanceolata is freely branching
and subsp. denticulata (Brenan) Toelken has a
slightly longer calyx (1.5–1.8 mm long).
Rocky grassland, bushveld.
Summer–autumn.
CRASSULACEAE
Crassula perfoliata L.
C. perfoliata var. heterotricha (Schinz) Toelken

perfoliata: stem appears to pass through the leaf; heterotricha: with more
than one kind of hair.
Pointed-leaved crassula (E); heuningbossie (A)
Succulent, perennial herb, up to 400 mm tall. Branched. Leaves grey-green,
grooved, especially at base, embracing the stem, lance-shaped, flattened.
Flowers tubular, 5-lobed, lobes ± 5 mm long, curved backwards; fragrant;
white with pink stamens; in a rounded inflorescence, up to 80 mm in diam-
eter. General: found mainly along the eastern
escarpment.
Crevices on rocks or ledges.
Winter–spring.
CRASSULACEAE
Crassula sarcocaulis Eckl. & Zeyh.
C. sarcocaulis subsp. sarcocaulis

sarkos: flesh, caulis: stem.
Inoni, inwame (S)
Erect, succulent shrublet, up to 400 mm tall. Branches fleshy, up to 50 mm
in diameter at base, spreading, bark flaking on older branches. Leaves dark
green, elliptic, sharply tipped, flattened, slightly fleshy. Flowers small, ± 5 mm
in diameter, tubular, 5-lobed, lobes curved backwards, white fading to cream,
stamens with brown anthers; odour unpleasant;
in dense, round inflorescences, ± 20 mm in di-
ameter. General: looks like a natural bonsai.
Mountain slopes, associated with larger rocks.
Summer–winter.
CRASSULACEAE
CRASSULACEAE
Crassula setulosa Harv.
setulosa: covered with small bristles.

Furry crassula (E)
Dwarf, succulent, perennial herb, up to 200 mm tall. Cushion-forming;
stems erect, hairy, with leaf-like bracts. Leaves green tinged red, blade flat-
tened, tips pointed, margins with short, hard hairs; in rosettes when young,
leaf pairs spirally arranged. Flowers tubular, ± 4 mm long, lobes curved
backwards, white often tinged red, stamens with brown or yellow anthers;
several in terminal inflorescence.
Rock outcrops, seasonally wet rock faces.
Summer–autumn.
CRASSULACEAE
Crassula vaginata Eckl. & Zeyh.
vaginata: sheathed.
White stonecrop, yellow crassula (E)
Robust, erect, perennial herb, up to 500 mm tall. Rootstock tuberous.
Leaves lance-shaped, margins fringed with hairs; in a basal rosette, leaf
pairs spirally arranged along the stem, base of leaves fused, sheathing the
stem. Flowers small, ± 8 mm in diameter, tubular, creamy white to yellow,
stamens with yellow anthers, scented; in a flat-topped, much-branched in-
florescence, ± 100 mm in diameter.
Grassland.
Summer.
CUCURBITACEAE
Coccinia adoensis (A.Rich.) Cogn.
coccinea: scarlet – refers to the red fruit; adoensis: derived from a place
name in Ethiopia.
Wild spinach (E); sipho (NS, V)
Perennial climber, stems up to 6 m long, hairy. Rootstock tuberous. Leaves

variable in shape, 3–7-lobed, margins finely and regularly toothed; stalked;
tendrils present. Flowers pale creamy yellow to salmon-pink; male (± 20 mm
in diameter, in elongated clusters) and female (smaller, solitary) flowers on
separate plants. Fruit oval, tip beaked, smooth,
orange-red. General: leaves cooked as spinach.
For red fruit see p. 189.
Spring–summer.
CRASSULACEAE
CUCURBITACEAE
Cucumis hirsutus Sond.
Cucumis: Latin name for cucumber; hirsutus: hairy.

Wild cucumber (E); suurkomkommertjie (A); monyaku, sepo (S)
Perennial creeper, stems up to 2.5 m long. Rootstock woody; plant roughly
hairy throughout. Leaves 3–5-lobed, central lobe the longest, surface rough;
a tendril at each node. Flowers ± 20 mm in diameter, creamy white to pale
yellow, veined; male and female flowers on separate plants. Fruit round,
smooth, green with darker markings. General: young leaves cooked as veg-
etable. Used in traditional medicine to heal internal sores. For green fruit
see p. 265.
Spring–summer.
CUCURBITACEAE
Momordica foetida Schumach.
mordeo: bite – refers to jagged seed; foetida: foul smelling.

Gifappel (A); kgobabe-nku (S); nngu (V)
Trailing or climbing perennial herb, stems up to 4.5 m long, spotted. Root-
stock woody. Leaves thin, heart-shaped, margins toothed, foetid when
crushed; tendrils present. Flowers ± 25 mm in diameter, crinkly, pale yellow
to orange, with black and orange markings at base; in small clusters with
one open at a time (male) or solitary (female). Fruit oval, softly spiny, yellow
when ripe, seeds in red pulp. General: leaves cooked as spinach.
Bushveld, grassland, often in riverine fringes.
Spring–autumn.
CUCURBITACEAE
Zehneria scabra (L.f.) Sond.
(= Pilogyne scabra)
Zehneria: named after Joseph Zehner, flourished 19th century, Austrian
botanical illustrator; scabra: rough, scabrid.
Dawidjies (A)
Trailing or climbing perennial herb; stems up to 3 m long, branched, short-
ly hairy; tendrils simple. Leaves variable, ± heart-shaped or lobed, margins
toothed. Flowers small, ± 4 mm in diameter, 5-lobed, white becoming yellow-
ish with age; male (3–60 in clusters) and female (solitary or in clusters of up to
10) on separate plants. Fruit oval, red, ± 10 mm
in diameter. General: leaves used as vegetable.
Bushveld, scrub.
Summer.
CUCURBITACEAE
CYPERACEAE
Cyperus obtusiflorus Vahl
C. obtusiflorus var. obtusiflorus

cuperos: sedge or rush; obtusiflorus: flowers blunt at end.
White-flowered sedge (E)
Slender, erect, perennial herb, up to 450 mm tall. Leaves grass-like, basal,
tufted, stiff, ± half as long as the stem. Flowers tiny, in broad, flat spikelets;
numerous spikelets clustered in a terminal, compact, rounded inflorescence,
± 25 mm in diameter, white; bracts long, leaf-like, below inflorescence.
General: a yellow colour form is recognised
as var. flavissimus (Schrad.) Boeckeler (see p.
142).
Grassland, bushveld, rocky slopes.
Spring–summer.
CYPERACEAE
Kyllinga alba Nees
Kyllinga: named after Peder L. Kylling (c. 1640–1696), Danish botanist and
apothecary; alba: white.
White button sedge (E); witbiesie (A)
Slender, erect, perennial herb, up to 450 mm tall. Rhizome thick, short,
woody; roots aromatic, with citronella-like scent. Leaves grass-like, basal.
Flowers tiny, in narrow spikelets clustered in a terminal, round inflorescence,
± 10 mm in diameter, white; bracts few, unequal, long, leaf-like, below
inflorescence. General: often in moist places. From tropical Africa south to
the Cape.
Grassland, sandy soil.
Spring–summer.
DIPSACACEAE
Cephalaria pungens Szabó
kephale: a head; pungens: piercing.

Erect, perennial herb, up to 1 m (rarely up to 1.5 m) tall. Rootstock woody;
stem slender, usually unbranched, hairless. Leaves opposite, variable; basal
leaves elliptic, stalks up to 200 mm long; stem leaves few, narrow, upper
ones smaller and usually more divided than lower. Flowers 4-lobed, lobes
unequal, white, stamens with dark purple anthers protruding; many in com-
pact, rounded clusters, ± 25 mm in diameter, encircled below by several
rows of overlapping, hairy bracts; at tip of stems.
Damp grassland, stream sides.
Summer.
CYPERACEAE
DIPSACACEAE
Cephalaria zeyheriana Szabó
zeyheriana: named after Carl L.P. Zeyher (1799–1858), German botanist

who collected in South Africa.
Mock scabious (E)
Erect, perennial herb, up to 1.5 m tall. Rootstock woody; stems ribbed,
branched; most parts hairy. Leaves elongated, margins toothed and variously
lobed, mostly basal; stem leaves few, smaller. Flowers white, stamens pro-
truding; in clusters ± dome-shaped, ± 20 mm in diameter, encircled below
by several rows of rounded bracts; at tips of branches.
Grassland, rocky outcrops or in seepage areas.
Summer.
DIPSACACEAE
Scabiosa columbaria L.
scabiosa: rough, scurfy; columbaria: dove-like.

Wild scabious (E); bitterbos (A)
Slender, erect, perennial herb, up to 1 m tall. Rootstock woody; stem
branched; hairy throughout. Leaves variable, in basal rosette; stem leaves
smaller, deeply lobed. Flowers tubular, white or mauve; calyx bristled, bris-
tles conspicuous when flowers in bud; in clusters, ± 20 mm in diame-
ter, outer ring flowers usually larger than inner; encircled below by pointed
bracts; on long stalks in terminal inflorescences.
Mountain grassland, rocky slopes, open
bushveld.
Spring–summer.
EBENACEAE
Diospyros lycioides Desf.
D. lycioides subsp. nitens (Harv. ex Hiern) De Winter

diospyros: Latin for a plant with edible fruit; lycioides: resembling the genus
Lycium, in the Solanaceae family; nitens: shining.
Silvery bluebush (E)
Small, densely branched shrub, up to 1.5 m tall. Leaves crowded at tips
of short branches, elliptic, silvery green, soft silvery hairs on both surfaces.
Flowers drooping, small, up to 5 mm long, lobes bent backwards, creamy
white or yellow; in axils of leaves. Fruit oval with short, sharp tip, fleshy; ed-
ible. General: another three subspecies, mainly
differing in leaf characters, occur in LIM.
Rocky outcrops but also in open grassland.
Spring.
DIPSACACEAE
ERICACEAE
Erica drakensbergensis Guthrie & Bolus
ereike: to break – refers to brittle stems; classical Greek name for heath;
drakensbergensis: from the Drakensberg.
Drakensberg heath (E); Drakensbergheide (A)
Much-branched, erect shrub, up to 600 mm tall. Stems woody, twisted;
bark rough, flaking, dark grey; upper branches slender; new growth softly
hairy. Leaves needle-like, ± 4 mm long, erect, overlapping. Flowers small,
urn-shaped, ± 4 mm long, whitish, stamens ± included; style club-shaped,
usually protruding; in clusters. General: at altitudes of 1 200–2 000 m.
Rocky mountain slopes.
Autumn–winter.
ERICACEAE
Erica holtii Schweick.
holtii: named after its collector, Mr W.E. Holt (flourished 1932).

Small, erect shrub, up to 230 mm tall. Branching from the base, branch-
es slender, reddish brown, hairy. Leaves narrow, grooved, minutely softly
hairy, spreading, in whorls. Flowers urn-shaped, constricted at the mouth,
± 4 mm long, stamens and style included, white turning brown; calyx lobes
long, hairy; sweetly scented; in terminal, rounded clusters. General: plant
sticky. Southern African endemic.
KZN, LIM and MP.
Mountain grassland.
Summer.
ERICACEAE
Erica simii (S.Moore) E.G.H.Oliv.
simii: named after Thomas R. Sim (1858–1938), Scottish-born botanist.

White-velvet tree erica (E)
Shrub, up to 1 m tall. Branches hairy. Leaves narrow, shiny, with hairy mar-
gins, in whorls of 3, ascending and often slightly curved outwards. Flowers
bell-shaped, ± 2 mm long, whitish, stamens included; style with broadly
conical tip, red, protruding conspicuously; calyx margins hairy; in clusters
at tips of branchlets. General: also recorded from eastern Zimbabwe and
Mozambique.
LIM.
Rocky mountain slopes.
Autumn.
ERICACEAE
ERIOCAULACEAE
Eriocaulon sonderianum Körn.
erion: wool, caulos: stem – refers to the woolly rhizome; sonderianum:

named after Otto W. Sonder (1812–1881), German botanist and phar-
macist.
Water pom-pom, pipewort (E)
Perennial herb, up to 300 mm tall. Forming colonies. Rhizome covered in
soft white hairs. Leaves in basal rosette, bright green, flat, tapering to a
pointed tip. Flowers very small, white, honey-scented; in a compact, hard,
round, long-stalked inflorescence, ± 8 mm in diameter. General: usually
found at high altitudes.
Stream banks, marshy areas.
Spring–summer.
ERIOSPERMACEAE
Eriospermum cooperi Baker
E. cooperi var. cooperi

erion: wool, sperma: seed – refers to woolly seeds; cooperi: named after
Thomas Cooper (1815–1913), English botanist.
White fluffy-seed (E); kapokblommetjie (A)
Perennial herb, up to 600 mm tall. Underground tuber. Leaf solitary, broadly
heart-shaped, erect, after flowers, sheathing stem or from a different growing
point. Flowers small, inconspicuous, white to pale green or brown, not open-
ing wide; in slender, erect inflorescence, ± 200 mm long. Fruit a capsule;
seeds with long, silky hairs. General: conspicu-
ous when seeds released.
Grassland, damp stream sides, lightly wooded
areas.
Spring–summer.
ERIOSPERMACEAE
Eriospermum porphyrium Archibald
porphyreus: purple.
Perennial herb, up to 600 mm tall. Tuber white inside. Leaf solitary, broad-
ly heart-shaped, lying flat, dark green, often purple underneath, appearing
immediately after flowers. Flowers ± 12 mm in diameter when fully open,
lobes cream with a greenish brown centre line, faint scent; up to 50 on the
upper third of the stem, elongating slightly as fruit ripens. Fruit releasing
seeds covered with white hairs. General: found in different habitats.
Mainly in clayey soils or red sandy soil.
Spring–summer.
ERIOCAULACEAE
EUPHORBIACEAE
Jatropha zeyheri Sond.
iatros: physician, trophe: food – refers to medicinal properties; zeyheri:

named after Carl L.P. Zeyher (1799–1858), German botanist who col-
lected in South Africa.
Verfbol (A); khedomedza (L); sebatla badimo (S); pasamala (V)
Perennial herb, up to 300 mm tall. Rootstock woody; stems hairy; sap wa-
tery. Leaves alternate, deeply 3–5-lobed, hairy on both surfaces. Flowers
± 15 mm across, 5-lobed, yellowish white; in terminal inflorescences hardly
overtopping leaves. General: used in traditional medicine as a purgative.
Tuber used for tanning material.
Widespread across northern SA.
Spring–autumn.
FABACEAE
Eriosema buchananii Baker f.
erion: wool, sema: sign – refers to the shaggy calyx and fruit in many spe-
cies; buchananii: named after John Buchanan (1821–1903), clergyman
and plant collector.
Perennial herb, up to 600 mm tall. Rootstock woody; branches hairy. Leaves
with 3 leaflets, stipules ± 10 mm long, lance-shaped, leaf-opposed. Flowers
± 10 mm long, pale pink, lined with purple; in ± 50 mm long inflorescenc-
es, on stalks up to 200 mm long, in upper leaf axils Fruit a pod, ± egg-
shaped, flat, hairy. General: range extends into tropical Africa.
LIM.
Mountain grassland.
Summer.
FABACEAE
Lotus discolor E.Mey.
lotos: legendary fruit eaten to produce dreamy forgetfulness; discolor: with

different colours.
Coral plant (E)
Perennial herb, up to 400 mm tall. Rootstock woody; stems many, erect, or
sometimes scrambling and up to 2 m long. Leaves hairy, with 1 terminal
and 2 pairs of side leaflets, bluish green above, paler below, widely spaced.
Flowers ± 12 mm long; white or cream veined with purple; calyx light green,
often purple tinged; in 4–8-flowered umbels, on stalks ± 50 mm long, in leaf
axils. Fruit a straight pod, brown.
Grassland.
Spring–summer.
EUPHORBIACEAE
FABACEAE
Macrotyloma axillare (E.Mey.) Verdc.
M. axillare var. glabrum (E.Mey.) Verdc.

makros: large, tylos: swelling; axillare: growing in an axil – refers to flowers;
glabrum: without hairs.
Lime-yellow pea (E)
Climbing or trailing perennial herb, stems up to 3.5 m long. Rootstock
woody; stems slender, sparsely hairy. Leaves with 3 leaflets, elliptic, mar-
gins white-hairy. Flowers ± 15 mm long, upper lobe large, creamy white to
pale yellow with pale lilac blotch at base, calyx hairy; in pairs or few-flowered
clusters, in leaf axils. Fruit a long, flattened pod,
beaked. General: var. axillare is distinguished
by its densely hairy stems.
Spring–summer.
FABACEAE
Senegalia ataxacantha (DC.) Kyal. & Boatwr.
(= Acacia ataxacantha)
Senegalia: refers to a plant found in Senegal, West Africa; ataxacantha:
with scattered thorns.
Flame thorn (E); vlamdoring (A); mogaletlwa (S); muluwa (V)
Vigorously scrambling tree, up to 5 m tall. Thorns single, small, hooked,
scattered irregularly along branches. Leaves alternate, long, narrow, with
many pairs of small leaflets. Flowers yellowish white, fragrant; in elongat-
ed spikes towards tips of branches. Fruit a flat pod, reddish brown, con-
spicuous. General: often forming impenetrable
thickets.
Stream banks, scrub, forest margins.
Spring–summer.
GENTIANACEAE
Enicostema axillare (Lam.) A.Raynal
en-: in, inside, icos: twenty, stema: wreath, circle – refers to the flowers
arranged in circles in the leaf axils along the stem; axillare: growing in
an axil.
Makgonatšohle (S)
Erect perennial herb, up to 300 mm tall. Leaves stalkless, narrow, longer
than the distance between 2 nodes, 3-veined from the base (distinct below),
opposite. Flowers small, tube ± 5 mm long, 5 lobes spreading and pointed,
white, stalkless; clustered in leaf axils. Fruit a small capsule. General: used
in traditional medicine to cure many ailments.
KZN, LIM and MP.
In grass on sandy slopes, disturbed areas,
along rivers.
Spring–autumn.
FABACEAE
GENTIANACEAE
Exochaenium grande (E.Mey.) Griseb.
(= Sebaea grandis)
exo-: out, outside, chainein: to gape; grandis: large – refers to the flowers.
Large-flowered sebaea, primrose gentian (E)
Annual herb, up to 300 mm tall. Stem 4-angled, erect, seldom branched.
Leaves stalkless, lance-shaped, opposite. Flowers large, ± 30 mm in diam-
eter, tube ± 20 mm long, stamens hidden within the tube, 5 lobes spreading
and pointed, white to creamy yellow, calyx lobes lance-shaped, winged to-
wards the base; usually solitary, terminal. Fruit
a small, round capsule.
Open grassland, damp areas.
Summer.
GERANIACEAE
Geranium wakkerstroomianum R.Knuth
geranos: a crane – refers to fruit resembling crane’s head and beak; wakker-
stroomianum: from Wakkerstroom, Mpumalanga Province.
White geranium (E)
Straggling, perennial herb, up to 1 m tall. Taproot thick, woody. Stems loose-
ly branched, hairy. Leaves 5-lobed, ± two-thirds to base, margins toothed.
Flowers ± 15 mm in diameter, lobes deeply notched, white, veined pink
or red. Fruit beaked. General: found at relatively high altitudes of 1 200–
2 500 m; in damp, sheltered places around rocks.
Mountainsides, forest margins, marshy places.
Spring–summer.
GERANIACEAE
Monsonia angustifolia E.Mey. ex A.Rich.
Monsonia: named after Lady Ann Monson (1714–1776), botanical collec-

tor at the Cape; angustifolia: with narrow leaves.
Crane’s bill (E); alsbos (A); ‘special’, teye-ya-thaba (S)
Annual herb, up to 400 mm tall. Stems ± erect, reddish, hairy. Leaves ellip-
tic; margins slightly uneven, toothed. Flowers small, ± 10 mm in diameter;
white, mauve, blue or sometimes yellow, with dark veins; in leaf axils. Fruit
erect, up to 50 mm long, tipped with a long slender beak. General: used
traditionally as an aphrodisiac.
Grassland, bushveld, often in disturbed
places.
Summer.
GENTIANACEAE
GERANIACEAE
Monsonia glauca R.Knuth
glauca: bluish waxy.

Dysentery herb (E); naaldebossie (A)
Perennial herb, up to 400 mm tall. Base woody; stems erect, ascending or
trailing, hairy. Leaves narrowly oval, folded along the midrib, stalked, mar-
gins toothed. Flowers ± 30 mm in diameter, petals shallowly lobed at the
tips, white, cream or yellow; 1–3 together, near leaf axils. General: used in
traditional medicine to treat diarrhoea, stomach complaints and colds.
EC, LIM and NW.
Scrubby grassland, moist bushveld.
Summer–autumn.
GERANIACEAE
Pelargonium alchemilloides (L.) L’Hér.
pelargos: a stork – refers to beak of the fruit; alchemilloides: resembles the

genus Alchemilla, lady’s mantle.
Lady’s mantle-leaved pelargonium (E); wildemalva (A); selumi (S)
Straggling, perennial herb, up to 300 mm tall. Rootstock tuberous; stems
slender, hairy. Leaves variable, 5–7-lobed, margins irregularly toothed; silky
hairy, aromatic; often with purple-brown markings. Flowers small, ± 15 mm
wide, 5-lobed, white to pink; in 3–5-flowered clusters on long stalks. Gener-
al: used in traditional medicine to treat HIV/AIDS and hypertension.
Open grassland, disturbed areas.
Spring–summer.
GERANIACEAE
Pelargonium dolomiticum R.Knuth
dolomiticum: growing on dolomite.

Much-branched, perennial shrublet, up to 500 mm tall. Rootstock woody;
branches long, slender, dying back in winter. Leaves irregularly and deeply
divided, densely hairy, thin, alternate, crowded. Flowers small, ± 20 mm
wide, 4-lobed, the upper 2 long, like hares’ ears, the lower 2 small and
rounded, cream-coloured to pink with red markings at base; in 2–5-flowered
inflorescences, at tips of branches. General: pollinated by honeybees.
Between rocks on slopes, grassland, often on
dolomite.
Spring–autumn.
GERANIACEAE
GERANIACEAE
Pelargonium graveolens L’Hér.
graveolens: strong-smelling.
Rose-scented pelargonium (E); malva (A)
Much-branched shrub, up to 1.3 m tall. Leaves soft, hairy, on long stalks;
deeply divided, margins irregularly toothed; strongly rose-scented. Flowers
small, ± 15 mm wide, 5 lobes with rounded tops, white to pink, markings
on upper 2 lobes wine-red, feathery; in 3–5-flowered inflorescences. Gener-
al: cultivated for the production of geranium oil; easily grown from cuttings.
EC, LIM and MP.
Mountainsides, moist places, in half-shade.
Spring–summer.
GERANIACEAE
Pelargonium luridum (Andrews) Sweet
luridum: smoky or drab – refers to the flower colour.

Stork’s bill, waving pelargonium (E); wildemalva (A)
Deciduous, perennial herb, up to 600 mm tall. Tuber woody. Plant hairy
throughout. Leaves variable even on a single plant, shallowly to deeply lobed
or thread-like, in basal rosette. Flowers large, 5-lobed, white, pink or pale
yellow; up to 60 in a single inflorescence, ± 130 mm in diameter; stem
long, erect. General: long flowering season. Grown from seed or by division
of tubers. For pink-coloured form see p. 198.
Spring–autumn.
GERANIACEAE
Pelargonium multicaule Jacq.
P. multicaule subsp. subherbaceum (R.Knuth) J.J.A.van der Walt

multicaule: many-stemmed; sub-: somewhat, herbaceum: soft in texture,
not woody.
Leilane, selumi (S)
Low-growing shrublet, up to 300 mm tall. Stems trailing, branched. Leaves
irregularly, deeply divided, margins toothed. Flowers 4-lobed, upper 2 lobes
much larger (± 20 mm long) than lower ones, white to pinkish; stamens
protruding below lower lobes; in 2–5-flowered clusters. General: used in tra-
ditional medicine for stomach complaints and
coughs in children, HIV/AIDS.
KZN, LIM and MP.
Mountainous or rocky places.
Spring–summer.
GERANIACEAE
GESNERIACEAE
Streptocarpus parviflorus Hook.f.
S. parviflorus subsp. parviflorus

streptos: twisted, karpos: fruit – refers to the spirally coiled fruit; parviflo-
rus: with small flowers.
Perennial herb, up to 250 mm tall. Rhizome stout, horizontal. Leaves nu-
merous, strap-shaped, green above, paler below, margins with rounded
teeth, in a rosette. Flowers tubular, ± 25 mm long; upper lip of 2 erect
lobes, lower lip 3-lobed, white with yellow stripe on floor of tube and 3–7
violet streaks extending to lower lip; inflorescences up to 20-flowered, many
flowers open together. General: grows on trees,
damp banks and rock faces in forests.
LIM and MP.
Forests, in rock crevices.
Summer.
GESNERIACEAE
Streptocarpus rimicola Story
rimicola: crack-dweller.
Dwarf herb, up to 50 mm tall. In colonies. Leaf single, close to the ground,
often withered at the tip, hairy on both surfaces, veins sunken above. Flow-
ers tubular, ± 12 mm long; upper lip of 2 lobes, bent backwards, lower lip
3-lobed, white, calyx divided to the base into 5 narrow lobes; in 1–4 erect
inflorescences, each 2–9-flowered. Fruit a capsule, spirally twisted. General:
depends on mist and seepage for moisture; plants die after fruiting. Recorded
only from the Waterberg.
LIM.
Cliffs near summit of mountain.
Summer.
GESNERIACEAE
Streptocarpus vandeleurii Baker f. & S.Moore
vandeleurii: named after Crofton B. Vandeleur (1867–1947), British sol-

dier and plant collector in South Africa.
Olifantsoor (A); tsebe ya tlou (S)
Herb, up to 300 mm tall. Leaf single, large, up to 300 mm long, base heart-
shaped, quilted, margins bluntly toothed; hairy. Flowers tubular, ± 40 mm
long, strongly curved downwards, white, scented; in ± 36-flowered inflo-
rescences, many flowers opening together. General: plants die after fruiting.
Traditionally used in the treatment of sores.
GP, LIM, MP and NW.
Crevices of rock outcrops, shady side of
boulders.
Summer.
GESNERIACEAE
HYACINTHACEAE
Albuca setosa Jacq.
(= Albuca pachychlamys)
albus: white – refers to the colour of the flowers; setosa: bristly.
Fibrous slime lily (E); slymuintjie (A)
Perennial, bulbous herb, up to 400 mm tall. Solitary or in clumps. Bulb
large, scales ending in black bristles. Leaves long, narrow, contain slimy
substance; sometimes produced after flowers. Flowers erect, ± 20 mm long,
thick-textured lobes, white, with broad green to brownish central stripe on
back; inner 3 lobes converging, outer 3 spread-
ing; on long stalks; in erect, many-flowered in-
florescence.
Open habitats, rocky slopes.
Spring.
HYACINTHACEAE
Albuca virens (Ker Gawl.) J.C.Manning & Goldblatt
A. virens subsp. virens (= Ornithogalum tenuifolium)

virens: green.
Common chincherinchee (E); bosui (A)
Slender, erect, bulbous herb, up to 600 mm tall. Leaves ± 5, long, narrow,
erect, forming sheath at base, tapering to a slender tip. Flowers small, lobes
± 8 mm long, spreading, white with central green stripe; bracts overtopping
buds; in a compact, terminal inflorescence, lengthening during fruit devel-
opment. General: variable species. Resembles
and tastes like the ordinary onion.
Rocky grassland.
Summer.
HYACINTHACEAE
Drimia calcarata (Baker) Stedje
(= Urginea calcarata)
drymis: acrid – refers to the sap which is considered poisonous or irritant in
many species of this genus; calcarata: spurred – refers to bracts.
Slender, bulbous perennial, up to 300 mm tall. Bulb round, scales fleshy,
white. Leaves thread-like, produced after flowers. Flowers small, ± 9 mm
in diameter, lobes spreading, white with a reddish brown stripe underneath;
bracts spurred at the base; in an erect, elongate, lax inflorescence with up to
20 flowers. Fruit a capsule, ± 5 mm long. General: delicate plant, scattered
on slopes.
HYACINTHACEAE
HYACINTHACEAE
Drimia depressa (Baker) Jessop
(= Urginea depressa)
depressa: flattened from above – refers to the inflorescence.
Bergslangkop, jeukui (A)
Small bulbous plant, up to 150 mm tall. Bulb round, scales fleshy. Leaves
produced after flowers, few, narrow. Flowers small, lobes spreading, white
inside, with brown or purplish stripe outside, bracts thin, translucent; open
in the afternoon; in a terminal, rounded inflorescence, ± 25 mm in diameter,
on a long erect stem. General: toxic to sheep
and cattle.
Grassland, among stones.
HYACINTHACEAE
Drimia multisetosa (Baker) Jessop
(= Urginea multisetosa)
multisetosa: with many bristles.
Slender, bulbous perennial, up to 400 mm tall. Bulb up to 70 mm long, with
tuft of bristles from old leaf bases. Leaves 2, long, narrow, produced after in-
florescence. Flowers ± 9 mm in diameter, lobes spreading, whitish, greenish
or brownish with a darker stripe underneath, bracts of lower flowers spurred
at base; in erect, lax, terminal inflorescence. General: each flower lasts only
up to a single day, visited by moths.
Rocky grassland or bushveld.
HYACINTHACEAE
Drimia sphaerocephala Baker
sphaerocephala: with a round head – refers to the inflorescence.

Round-head drimia (E); snotuintjie (A)
Slender, bulbous herb, up to 500 mm tall. Bulb round, ± 25 mm in diam-
eter. Leaves long, narrow, margins hairy, produced after flowers. Flowers
small, lobes folded back, white, shiny; greenish grey at tips; stamens and
style protruding; bracts lance-shaped; many in a very dense, round inflores-
cence, ± 20 mm in diameter; stem long, wiry, brownish. General: bulb with
bulbils resembling garlic cloves.
Mountain grassland, among rocks.
Spring.
HYACINTHACEAE
HYACINTHACEAE
Drimia sp.
(= Urginea epigea)
drymis: acrid, many species in this genus are poisonous or irritant.
Robust perennial, up to 1.5 m tall. In colonies. Bulb egg-shaped, large,
± 120 mm in diameter, with overlapping, fleshy scales, above the ground.
Leaves erect, ± 300 mm long, ± 20 mm wide, green, produced after flow-
ers. Flowers ± 10 mm in diameter, lobes white with central green stripe, on
long, wiry stalks; many in an erect, elongate inflorescence. General: once
known as Urginea epigea, this species still requires a name in the genus
Drimia.
LIM.
Bushveld.
Spring.
HYACINTHACEAE
Eucomis pallidiflora Baker
E. pallidiflora subsp. pole-evansii (N.E.Br.) Reyneke ex J.C.Manning

eukomes: beautifully haired – refers to the crown of bracts; pallidiflora:
pale-flowered; pole-evansii: named after Illtyd B. Pole Evans (1879–
1968), South African botanist.
Giant pineapple lily (E); maphuma difala (S)
Robust perennial herb, up to 1 m tall. Leaves basal, broadly strap-shaped.
Flowers greenish white, ovary conspicuous, cream-coloured, becoming green;
many in inflorescence ± 300 mm long, stem stout, erect, plain green; topped
by a relatively small crown of green, leafy bracts. General: used in tradition-
al medicine to treat tuberculosis and as a blood
purifier.
LIM and MP.
Along mountain streams, moist kloofs, marshy
grassland.
Summer.
HYACINTHACEAE
Eucomis zambesiaca Baker
zambesiaca: from the Zambezi highlands, where it was first collected.

Small bulbous herb, up to 300 mm tall. In dense clumps. Bulb egg-shaped,
widest near base, ± 30 mm in diameter. Leaves 3–6 per bulb, green, not
spotted, margins wavy. Flowers up to 13 mm long, white, sweetly scent-
ed; flowering stem unspotted, inflorescence, ± 110 mm long, topped by a
crown of green, leafy bracts. Fruit a bluntly 3-angled capsule, ± 8 mm long.
General: range extends into Zimbabwe and Malawi. Cultivated, ornamental
plant.
LIM.
Open bushveld, in light shade.
Summer.
HYACINTHACEAE
HYACINTHACEAE
Ornithogalum capillare J.M.Wood & M.S.Evans
ornithos: a bird, gala: milk, origin unknown; capillare: thread-like.

Small, soft, bulbous herb, up to 100 mm tall. Bulb round, ± 10 mm in
diameter with loose, thin outer skins. Leaves 3–8, grass-like, up to 70 mm
long, sheaths forming a narrow neck below; produced with flowers. Flowers
erect, small, ± 5 mm in diameter, lobes fused at the base, white, green cen-
tral stripe on back of 3 outer lobes; in few-flowered, lax inflorescence on wiry
stem, 2–3 inflorescences per bulb. Fruit a triangular capsule.
KZN, LIM and MP.
Rock crevices.
Summer.
HYACINTHACEAE
Ornithogalum graminifolium Thunb.
graminifolium: grass-leaved.
Bulbous herb, up to 300 mm tall. Bulb round, ± 20 mm in diameter with
loose, brown outer skins. Leaves few, up to 250 mm long, grass-like,
sheathing the stem, produced with flowers. Flowers ± 15 mm in diameter,
lobes spreading, white inside, with or without green stripe outside, a few
open at a time; in erect, many-flowered, dense inflorescence, lengthening
with age; stem straight or with a basal spiral twist. General: variable in habit
and colour.
Damp, rocky grassland.
Summer.
HYACINTHACEAE
Schizocarphus nervosus (Burch.) Van der Merwe
(= Scilla nervosa)
schizocarphus: split fruit – refers to the deeply 3-lobed fruits; nervosus:
veined, nerved – refers to the leaves.
White squill (E); sandlelie (A)
Bulbous herb, up to 400 mm tall. In clumps. Leaves stiff, erect, often twisted,
conspicuous veins on both surfaces. Flowers small, white to greenish yellow,
ovary blackish; stalks wiry; many in compact inflorescence at first, lengthen-
ing during fruit development. General: large (see image), summer- and small,
spring-flowering forms may be separate species.
Used to treat intrauterine sores; luck charm.
Grassland.
Spring–summer.
HYACINTHACEAE
IRIDACEAE
Dietes iridioides (L.) Sweet ex Klatt
dis: twice; etes: an associate – refers to its resemblance to both Iris and
Moraea; iridioides: resembling the genus Iris.
Painted lady, wild iris (E); klein wittulp, wilde-iris (A)
Perennial, evergreen herb, up to 600 mm tall. Often tufted. Rhizome thick,
creeping; stem wiry, irregularly branched. Leaves sword-shaped, in a loose,
basal fan. Flowers ± 60 mm in diameter, lobes spreading, white with yellow
nectar guides, style branches flattened, petal-like, flushed with violet, each
flower lasts a single morning; in clusters.
Forest, bushveld, stream banks.
Spring–summer.
IRIDACEAE
Gladiolus ferrugineus Goldblatt & J.C.Manning
gladiolus: small sword – refers to the leaf shape; ferrugineus: rust-brown –

refers to the conspicuous bracts.
Cormous herb, up to 600 mm tall. Leaves 6–8, long, narrow, twisted several
times; basal and on stem, progressively smaller above. Flowers relative-
ly small, tube ± 20 mm long, white to pale pink, becoming flushed with
pink or blue-purple on fading; bracts greenish in bud, then becoming dry,
rust-coloured in upper part; in 8–15-flowered inflorescence; stem erect be-
low, slightly inclined above. General: also in a pink-flowered form.
LIM and MP.
Damp grassland, rocky slopes.
Summer–autumn.
IRIDACEAE
Gladiolus longicollis Baker
G. longicollis subsp. platypetalus (Baker) Goldblatt & J.C.Manning

longicollis: long-necked – refers to the elongate flower tube; platypetalus:
broad-petalled.
Honey flower (E); aandblom (A)
Cormous herb, up to 500 mm tall. Solitary. Leaves 3, the lowermost longest,
2 upper smaller, sheathing. Flowers ± 40 mm wide, lobes triangular, tapering,
spreading, inner 3 shorter than outer 3; tube ± 80 mm long, slender; creamy
white, purple speckling on outer surface; opening at night (or during misty
days), sweetly scented; 1 or 2 per stem, 1 open
at a time. General: pollinated by moths.
Mountain grassland.
Spring–summer.
IRIDACEAE
IRIDACEAE
Gladiolus permeabilis D.Delaroche
G. permeabilis subsp. edulis (Burch. ex Ker Gawl.) Oberm.

permeabilis: permeable – refers to the fact that one can see through the
flower in profile; edulis: edible.
Small Afrikander (E); patrysuintjie (A)
Slender, cormous herb, up to 600 mm tall. Leaves 4–6, lower 2–3 basal,
erect, long, narrow. Flowers small, tube ± 10 mm long; lobes unequal, with
long, slender tips, twisted, wavy, windowed; white to cream, often with a
deep pink, crimson or purplish central line; in lax, 4–8-flowered inflores-
cence; erect, stem simple or branched. General:
pollinated by long-tongued bees. Corm edible.
In a variety of habitats including grassy slopes
and bushveld.
Summer.
IRIDACEAE
Gladiolus sekukuniensis P.J.D.Winter
sekukuniensis: from Sekhukhuneland, Limpopo Province.

Slender, cormous herb, up to 1 m tall. Suckers produced from base of corm.
Leaves 5–7, lower 3–4 basal, narrow, long, sometimes exceeding the in-
florescence. Flower tube ± 30 mm long; lobes unequal, with long, tail-like
tips, twisted, wavy, distinctively windowed; white to cream, each lobe with
a narrow, dark red central line, often lacking or incomplete on upper lobe;
unscented; in lax, 8–17-flowered inflorescence, erect, unbranched. General:
likely pollinated by long-proboscid flies. Closely related to G. permeabilis.
Endemic to the Strydpoort and Leolo Moun-
tains.
LIM.
Open bushveld.
Autumn.
IRIDACEAE
Gladiolus woodii Baker
woodii: named after John M. Wood (1827–1915), a botanist from Kwa-

Zulu-Natal.
Slender, cormous herb, up to 450 mm tall. Leaves inconspicuous, 2–3,
above one another, the lowermost basal, longest; sheathing for most of their
length, sparsely hairy. Flowers small, ± 20 mm wide, short-tubed, lobes un-
equal, lower side lobes folded, smaller than central; colour variable, whitish,
pale yellow, pale lilac to deep maroon; in lax, 4–12-flowered inflorescence,
inclined; inflorescence drooping in bud. General: flowers soon after the first
spring rains. For brownish flowered form see
p. 286.
Mountain grassland.
Spring–summer.
IRIDACEAE
IRIDACEAE
Moraea marionae N.E.Br.
Moraea: named by Carl Linnaeus in 1753 for his wife Sara E. née Moraea;
marionae: named after Marion E. Blenkiron (1904–2002?), British-born
botanist and lecturer.
Slender, erect, cormous herb, up to 300 mm tall. Leaf solitary, narrow, pro-
duced after flowering. Flowers small, iris-like, outer lobes spreading horizon-
tally, ± 15 mm long, white to pale bluish, with nectar guides; inner lobes
shorter, erect, 3-fingered (short side lobes and a long slender central lobe),
yellow speckled brown; style branches flattened, petal-like; few, in terminal
cluster.
LIM and MP.
Open, low grassland.
Spring.
IRIDACEAE
Moraea modesta Killick
modesta: modest in size.

Small cormous herb, up to 200 mm tall. Stem erect, rarely branched. Leaf
solitary, round, dry at time of flowering. Flowers ± 25 mm in diameter,
outer lobes spreading, white to pale blue, veined with purple, nectar guides
yellow; inner lobes tiny; lasting at least 2 days. General: found at altitudes
of 1 800–3 000 m. Flowering very early in the season, often before the first
rains.
EC, FS, KZN and LIM.
Mountain grassland.
Spring.
LAMIACEAE
Aeollanthus buchnerianus Briq.
Aiolos: Greek god of the winds, allusion unclear, anthos: flower; buchneri-
anus: named after 18th century German naturalist Buchner.
Spur bush (E)
Perennial herb, up to 500 mm tall. Stems ± erect, hairy. Leaves fleshy,
± 30 mm long, stalked, egg-shaped, margins bluntly toothed. Flowers
± 5 mm long, tube narrowly cylindrical at base, widening upwards; 2-lipped,
upper lip 4-lobed, lower lip larger, boat-shaped; whitish, pale mauve to rosy
pink; bracts numerous, overlapping, hairy; in fairly dense inflorescences.
Shallow soil among rocks.
Summer–autumn.
IRIDACEAE
LAMIACEAE
Aeollanthus parvifolius Benth.
parvifolius: with small leaves.

Pink spur bush (E)
Perennial herb or shrublet, up to 500 mm tall. Stems spreading-ascending,
often woody at base, branching. Leaves small, ± 20 mm long, softly fleshy,
± oval, margins sparingly toothed; stalked. Flowers ± 10 mm long, tube
long, curved at the base, 2-lipped, upper lip 4-lobed, pink, mauve or white
with reddish purple markings on upper lip, calyx very short; in pairs, widely
spaced, in much-branched, terminal inflorescences, ± 200 mm long.
Among rocks.
Summer–autumn.
LAMIACEAE
Mentha longifolia (L.) Huds.
M. longifolia subsp. polyadena (Briq.) Briq.

Mentha: Latin name for mint; longifolia: with long leaves; polyadena: with
many glands.
Wild mint (E); kruisement (A); mominti (S)
Aromatic, perennial herb, up to 1.5 m tall. Leaves narrowly lance-shaped,
± stalkless, margins toothed; strongly mint-scented. Flowers ± 4 mm long,
4-lobed, tube funnel-shaped, white to mauve, stamens protruding; many in
slender, dense, terminal inflorescences. General: traditionally used to make
herbal tea and to treat tuberculosis.
Stream banks, damp areas.
Summer.
LAMIACEAE
Ocimum obovatum E.Mey. ex Benth.
(= Becium obovatum)
Ocimum: classical Greek name for the genus; obovatum: inverted egg-
shaped, i.e. attached at the narrow end.
Cat’s whiskers (E); katsnor (A)
Perennial herb, up to 300 mm tall. Rootstock woody; stems several, erect,
thinly hairy. Leaves variable in shape, margins entire or shallowly toothed.
Flowers ± 15 mm long, white to pale mauve; 2-lipped, upper lip frilly,
streaked with purple, lower lip cupped; stamens long, protruding by
± 20 mm; in whorls, crowded near stem tips.
Dense grassland.
LAMIACEAE
LAMIACEAE
Plectranthus hadiensis (Forssk.) Schweinf. ex Spreng.
plektron: a spur, anthos: flower – refers to the flower spur; hadiensis: from
Hadiyah in the Yemen.
Hairy spurflower (E); harige spoorsalie (A)
Perennial herb, up to 1 m tall. Stems erect to lying on the ground with
upright ends. Leaves egg-shaped to rounded, semi-succulent, densely hairy
on both surfaces, margins shallowly toothed. Flowers ± 12 mm long; tube
bent about the middle, widening to the throat; 2-lipped, upper lip shorter
than lower boat-shaped lip; mauve or white; in whorls, on spike-like, termi-
nal inflorescences. General: 3 varieties differing
mainly in the type of hairs, inflorescence length
and branching.
Among rocks in bushveld or grassland.
Summer–autumn
LAMIACEAE
Plectranthus rubropunctatus Codd
rubropunctatus: red-dotted – refers to the lower leaf surface.

Red-dot spurflower (E); robyn spoorsalie (A)
Aromatic, perennial herb, up to 2 m tall. Stems erect or trailing, purplish,
hairy. Leaves stalked, veins sunken above, tip blunt; margins with small,
regular, rounded teeth; numerous red to brownish gland dots below. Flowers
small, up to 8 mm long, 2-lipped, lips ± same length; white, slightly flushed
with pale pink; in branched inflorescences. General: found at relatively high
altitudes of 1 200–2 000 m.
LIM and MP.
Forests, shady places among rocks or grass.
Summer–autumn.
LAMIACEAE
Rabdosiella calycina (Benth.) Codd
rhabdos: rod – refers to the wand-like branches; calycina: with a well-

developed calyx.
Fly bush (E); spoorblom (A)
Erect shrublet, up to 1.5 m tall. Rootstock woody; stems hairy, unbranched.
Leaves leathery, green, rough above, ± stalkless, broadly egg-shaped, mar-
gins toothed, unpleasant smell when crushed. Flowers ± 10 mm long,
2-lipped, white to cream, flushed with mauve on lips; bracts leaf-like; many
in dense, branched, terminal inflorescences, up to 300 mm long.
Mountain grassland, often along streams.
Summer–autumn.
LAMIACEAE
LAMIACEAE
Rabdosiella leemannii N.Hahn
leemannii: named after Albert C. Leemann (1892–1975), botanist who

collected in the former Transvaal.
Soutpansberg fly bush (E)
Erect shrub, up to 1.5 m tall. Stems woody, up to 50 mm in diameter,
branching. Leaves opposite, alternate pairs at right angles to each other; on
short stalks, ± elliptic, net-veined, margins toothed. Flowers ± 9 mm long,
white tinged pink; in terminal inflorescences, up to 100 mm long. Gener-
al: multi-stemmed when exposed to fire. Endemic to the Soutpansberg and
Blouberg ranges.
LIM.
Mistbelt, among rocks.
Summer–autumn.
LAMIACEAE
Salvia radula Benth.
salvare: to heal – refers to the medicinal properties of some species; radu-

lans: rasping, scabrous.
Tongblaarsalie (A)
Perennial herb, up to 750 mm tall. Rootstock woody; stems erect, hairy.
Leaves elliptic, tip rounded, margins bluntly toothed; stalked; often crowded
and larger near base of plant. Flowers ± 20 mm long, 2-lipped, upper lip
long, curved like a sickle; white or pale mauve; in terminal inflorescences
of ± 15 whorls.
LIM and NW.
Riverbanks, wooded slopes, along roads, over-
grazed areas.
Summer–autumn.
LAMIACEAE
Satureja biflora (Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don) Briq.
Satureja: Latin name for savoury herb; biflora: with 2 flowers.

Erect, perennial herb, up to 600 mm tall. Rootstock woody; stems several,
slender, softly woody, hairy, sparingly branched. Leaves small, ± stalkless,
elliptic, margins entire; opposite. Flowers funnel-shaped, small, ± 6 mm
long; 2-lipped, upper lip short, broad, notched, lower lip longer than upper,
3-lobed; white or pale mauve; calyx ribbed, tubular, 5-toothed, hairy; in few
to several-flowered clusters in leaf axils, on the upper part of the stems.
General: aroma of wild thyme.
Rock slopes, moist places with grass and
scattered bush.
Spring–summer.
LAMIACEAE
LAMIACEAE
Stachys nigricans Benth.
stakhus: spike, ear of wheat – refers to the inflorescence; nigricans: black-

ish.
Swartteebossie (A)
Slender, erect, perennial herb, up to 500 mm tall. Stems single to few, hairy.
Leaves narrowly lance-shaped, margins faintly toothed, ± stalkless. Flow-
ers ± 10 mm long, 2-lipped, upper lip ascending, short, lower lip longer,
3-lobed, middle lobe largest; white tinged pink; lower bracts leaf-like; in
6-flowered whorls, inflorescences lax below, denser above. General: leaves
drying dark brown to blackish.
Mountain grassland.
Spring–summer.
LAMIACEAE
Stachys rehmannii Skan
rehmannii: named after Anton Rehmann (1840–1917), Polish plant geog-

rapher, who visited South Africa.
Perennial herb, stems up to 500 mm long, erect or trailing, branched; all
plant parts hairy. Leaves fairly thick-textured, net-veined; broadly egg-
shaped, tip rounded, base heart-shaped, margins bluntly toothed, stalked.
Flowers ± 10 mm long, white to rosy, 2-lipped, upper lip ascending, lower
lip longer, horizontal, with purplish markings; usually in 2-flowered whorls;
in terminal, spike-like inflorescences. General: southern African endemic; at
LIM.
Mountain grassland, among rocks.
Summer–winter.
LAMIACEAE
Syncolostemon albiflorus (N.E.Br.) D.F.Otieno
(= Hemizygia albiflora)
syn-: united, kolos: stunted, stemon: stamen – refers to the joined lower
stamens; albiflorus: white-flowered.
Erica-leaved sage bush, white mountain hemizygia (E)
Shrublet, up to 1 m tall. Stems gnarled, woody, densely branched. Leaves
stalkless, small, narrow, leathery, margins rolled under, upper surface dark
glossy green, white-felted below. Flowers ± 15 mm long, tube narrow,
2-lipped, white, stamens protruding beyond lower lip; in whorls near ends
of branches. General: usually at altitudes of
1 800–2 400 m.
LIM and MP.
Crevices in quartzite rocks.
Summer–autumn
LAMIACEAE
LAMIACEAE
Syncolostemon eriocephalus I.Verd.
eriocephalus: with woolly heads – refers to the inflorescences.

Mountain cotton-bush, woolly sage bush (E); bergkapokbos (A)
Branched shrub, up to 2 m tall. Stem short, or multi-stemmed. Leaves: grey,
silky-hairy, ± stalkless, opposite, in small tight clusters. Flowers: ± 7 mm
long, yellow, stamens and styles protruding; calyx densely hairy, persists af-
ter flowers have fallen; in clusters, terminal or on short side shoots. General:
endemic to the Wolkberg and the MP escarpment.
LIM and MP.
Among quartzite rocks on mountains.
Winter–summer.
LAMIACEAE
Syncolostemon rehmannii (Gürke) D.F.Otieno
(= Hemizygia rehmannii)
rapher who visited South Africa.
Wolkberg hemizygia (E)
Round, soft shrub, up to 800 mm tall. Rootstock woody, stems hairy. Leaves
stalkless, elliptic, greyish green above, grey below, margins finely toothed
in upper half. Flowers ± 17 mm long, tube widening towards the mouth;
stamens and style conspicuously protruding; pale mauve; in whorls of 4–6,
in simple or branched inflorescences. General:
restricted to the escarpment from Woodbush to
The Downs, at 1 500–2 000 m.
LIM.
Rocky grassland, often near forest margins.
Summer–autumn.
LAMIACEAE
Teucrium trifidum Retz.
teukrion: named after the germander plant; trifidum: thrice-divided – refers

to the leaves.
Gallsick bush (E); aambeibossie, paddaklou (A)
Erect, perennial shrublet, up to 1 m tall. Stems branched from base, hairy.
Leaves deeply, narrowly 3-lobed, margins rolled under, short-stalked.
Flowers small, ± 6 mm long, 5-lobed, lowermost lobe the largest, giving a
1-lipped appearance; white; stamens protruding; in 3–7-flowered groups,
on upper third of branches. General: widely used medicinally for indigestion,
dysentery, haemorrhoids and fever.
Bushveld, disturbed places.
Summer.
LAMIACEAE
LENTIBULARIACEAE
Utricularia livida E.Mey.
utriculus: little bottle – refers to the insectivorous leaf-sacs; livida: the blue-
grey colour of lead.
Bladderwort (E); blaaskruid (A)
Slender herb, up to 150 mm tall. In colonies. Leaves not always present
at flowering, few, small, narrow; traps many, minute, bladder-like. Flowers
± 10 mm, resembling miniature snapdragons; upper lip very short; lower lip
round, ± same length as the spur; violet, mauve or white with a yellow spot
on the lower lip, calyx 2-lobed; 1–8 in erect inflorescence.
Wet grassland, shallow wet soil over rocks.
Spring–winter.
LILIACEAE
*Lilium formosanum Wallace
Lilium: Greek and Latin name for lily; formosanum: from Formosa, old name
for Taiwan.
St Joseph’s or Formosa lily (E); trompetlelie (A)
Robust, erect, perennial herb, up to 2 m tall. Bulb; small bulbils forming
around old bulb. Leaves narrow, in whorls. Flowers showy, large, ± 180 mm
long, trumpet-shaped; white with reddish line outside, rarely pure white,
white inside, sweetly scented; 3–10 in terminal clusters. Fruit a capsule;
seeds many, flat, round, papery. General: ornamental plant introduced from
Taiwan.
Invades grasslands, roadsides.
Summer.
LINDERNIACEAE
Stemodiopsis kamundii K.Balkwill
(= Stemodiopsis rivae)
stemon: thread, stamen, di-: two, -opsis: appearance – refers to 2 pairs of
stamens of unequal length; kamundii: named after Dickson A.I. Kamun-
di (1961–2007), Malawian botanist.
Small perennial herb, stems much branched, erect to ascending or branches
lying on rock surface, 4-angled, up to 350 mm long. Short woody rootstock
in older plants; plant densely covered with short, stiff, whitish hairs. Leaves
egg-shaped, base tapering gradually towards stalk, margins toothed. Flowers
tubular, up to 7 mm long, 2-lipped, upper lip 1-lobed, lower lip 3-lobed, white
with pink to purple throat; solitary in leaf axils.
Fruit a capsule, shortly beaked, turned down-
wards, hairy.
LIM.
Rock crevices.
Spring–summer.
LENTIBULARIACEAE
LOBELIACEAE
Cyphia corylifolia Harv.
kyphos: bent, a twiner; corylifolia: with leaves like the genus Corylus, a
hazel.
Climbing, perennial herb, stems up to 2 m long, 4-angled, minutely hairy.
Leaves widely spaced, alternate; stalked, broadly elliptic, pointed, base ta-
pering gradually, margins finely toothed; decreasing in size upwards. Flowers
small, unequally 5-lobed, 2-lipped, cream-coloured; in few-flowered clus-
ters, in axils of upper leaves. General: distribution poorly known; in the Lim-
popo Province, only recorded from Sekhukhuneland.
KZN and LIM.
Grassland, scrub.
Summer.
LOBELIACEAE
Cyphia elata Harv.
elata: tall.
Pipitwane ye kgolo, seltapišo (S)
Erect herb, up to 900 mm tall. Stem simple, leafy. Leaves erect, stalkless,
lance-shaped, clasping stem, margins finely toothed, leathery, veined be-
low; decreasing in size upwards, becoming bracts. Flowers small, ± 9 mm
long, 5-lobed, tips of lobes curving back; white to yellow; in dense terminal
inflorescence. General: largest species of this genus. Used traditionally to
strengthen babies.
Summer–autumn.
LOBELIACEAE
Cyphia rogersii S.Moore
C. rogersii subsp. winteri E.Wimm

rogersii: named after Frederick A. Rogers (1876–1944), South African bot-
anist; winteri: named after John Winter (1936–2014), South African
horticulturist.
Delicate, twining herb, stem up to 1 m long. Leaves long, very narrow,
1–2 mm wide, on short stalks, margins minutely toothed. Flowers ± 10 mm
long, tube narrow, 2-lipped; upper and lower lips ± same length; white tinged
mauve or mauve; in lax, terminal inflorescences, axis mostly slightly hairy.
General: on wiry grass. For mauve-flowered
subsp. rogersii, distinguished by its wider leaves
and hairless inflorescence axis, see p. 244.
EC, KZN and LIM.
Wiry grass among rocks.
Summer–autumn.
LOBELIACEAE
LOBELIACEAE
Lobelia eurypoda E.Wimm.
L. eurypoda var. eurypoda

Lobelia: named after Mathias de L’Obel (1538–1616), Flemish botanist;
eurypoda: broad-footed.
Slender herb, up to 400 mm tall. Stems ascending, sparsely branched below.
Leaves on lower third of the stem, egg-shaped, both surfaces hairy, margins
irregularly toothed, stalks broadly winged. Flowers small, ± 15 mm long,
2-lipped, upper lip with 2 small, erect lobes, lower lip 3-lobed, bent down-
wards, pale yellow, calyx short; few, widely spaced, in an erect, terminal in-
florescence. Fruit a capsule. General: believed
to ward off snakes.
KZN, LIM and MP.
Grassland.
Summer.
MALVACEAE
Dombeya rotundifolia (Hochst.) Planch.
Dombeya: named after Joseph Dombey (1742–1794), French botanist and

physician; rotundifolia: with round leaves.
Wild pear (E); drolpeer (A); mokhuba (S); mulanga (V)
Small, deciduous tree, up to 5 m tall. Leaves alternate, ± round, roughly
hairy; develop after flowers. Flowers in profusion, white fading to brown; in
dense, round clusters in leaf axils, ± 30 mm in diameter; stalked. General:
one of the first trees to flower in spring. Used in traditional medicine to cure
many ailments such as hypertension and diarrhoea.
Bushveld, rocky hillsides.
Spring.
MALVACEAE
Hibiscus aethiopicus L.
H. aethiopicus var. ovatus Harv.

hibiskos: Greek name for this genus; aethiopicus: Ethiopian – refers to an
African origin; ovatus: egg-shaped.
Dwarf hibiscus (E)
Low-growing, perennial herb, stems up to 300 mm long. Rootstock woody;
stems roughly hairy. Leaves oval, margins entire or slightly toothed towards
the tip. Flowers large, ± 40 mm in diameter, pale yellow, cream-coloured,
rarely pink, stamens many, joined into a tube surrounding the style, stigmas
bright red; lasting a day; solitary, in leaf axils.
Grassland.
Spring–summer.
LOBELIACEAE
MALVACEAE
Hibiscus trionum L.
trionum: flower of an hour – refers to the short opening period of the flower.
Bladderweed (E); lekgokgosha (S); delelemukhwayo (V)
Annual, erect herb, up to 1.5 m tall. Leaves variable, entire to deeply
3–5-lobed, margins toothed. Flowers ± 35 mm in diameter; pale cream,
with a dark purple centre; close in afternoon; solitary, in leaf axils; calyx
conspicuously veined, becoming inflated, enclosing fruit. General: the illus-
trated ‘form’ may warrant future recognition as a distinct indigenous species,
not to be confused with the common alien ‘form’ of H. trionum. Used as a
vegetable.
Grassland, forest margins, disturbed places.
Summer–autumn.
MALVACEAE
Sida rhombifolia L.
Sida: name used by Theophrastus for a water plant; rhombifolia: with

rhombic leaves.
Arrowleaf sida (E); taaiman (A)
Hardy shrublet, up to 1 m tall. Taproot and stem strong; stems branched,
woody and often purplish towards the base. Leaves diamond-shaped, mar-
gins toothed in upper part, lower surface paler than upper, stalked, alternate.
Flowers ± 15 mm in diameter, white to pale yellow; at branch tips. General:
throughout tropical regions.
Disturbed areas.
Summer–autumn.
MALVACEAE
Sparrmannia ricinocarpa (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Kuntze
Sparrmannia: named after Anders Sparrman (1748–1820), Swedish bot-

anist and physician; ricinocarpa: fruit like the castor oil plant, Ricinus
communis.
Climbing African hemp (E); stokroos (A)
Slender, scrambling shrub, up to 2 m tall. Stems hairy. Leaves alternate,
3–7-lobed, middle lobe the longest, lobes tapering to pointed tip, margins
toothed. Flowers ± 20 mm in diameter, on long stalks, lobes creamy white;
stamens numerous, yellow; in 6–20-flowered clusters at ends of branches.
Fruit oval, covered with stiff sharp spines.
Summer–autumn.
MALVACEAE
MELASTOMATACEAE
Antherotoma naudinii Hook.f.
anthera: an anther, tomos: slice – refers to the anthers opening by a terminal

pore; naudinii: named after Charles V. Naudin (1815–1899), French
botanist.
Small, annual herb, up to 200 mm tall. Usually single-stemmed; hairy.
Leaves opposite, widely spaced, yellowish green. Flowers ± 10 mm in di-
ameter, 4-lobed, pale mauve to pink, stamens 8, protruding; calyx with 4
lobes alternating with bristly teeth; in terminal, compact clusters, surround-
ed at base by 2 close pairs of relatively large leaves.
Moist shady places in a variety of habitats.
Summer–autumn.
MENISPERMACEAE
Cissampelos torulosa E.Mey. ex Harv.
kissos: ivy, ampelos: vine – refers to rambling ivy, fruit resemble bunch of
grapes; torulosa: with small swellings.
Kidney-leaf (E); davidjies (A); mokolao (S)
Slender climber. Stems twining, branched distantly. Leaves broadly heart- or
kidney-shaped, on long stalks inserted at margin; paler underneath, veins
visible. Flowers tiny, whitish; male in small clusters, female in spikes up to
100 mm long; inflorescences in leaf axils. Fruit small, round, orange. Gener-
al: used in traditional medicine to stimulate appetite.
KZN, LIM and MP.
Grassland, forest margins, riverbanks.
Summer–autumn.
MENISPERMACEAE
Stephania abyssinica (Quart.-Dill. & A.Rich.) Walp.
S. abyssinica var. abyssinica

stephanos: crown – refers to the united anthers forming a crown; abyssini-
ca: from Abyssinia, now Ethiopia.
Twining climber, perennial. Woody at base; supported by other vegetation.
Leaves widely spaced on stem; up to ± 80 mm in diameter, stalks ± 70 mm
long, attached to leaf under-surface ± at the centre not at the leaf margin
(compare Cissampelos torulosa); paler below; 8-10 basal veins. Flowers
small, inconspicuous, cream; male and female inflorescences similar. Fruit
± 10 mm in diameter, pinkish yellow.
KZN, LIM and MP.
Scrub, forest margins, stream banks.
Summer–autumn.
MELASTOMATACEAE
MOLLUGINACEAE
Psammotropha mucronata (Thunb.) Fenzl
P. mucronata var. foliosa Adamson

psammos: sand, trophos: one who feeds; mucronata: with a sharp point;
foliosa: leafy.
Dwarf, perennial herb, up to 250 mm tall. Stem short, not widened at the
top. Leaves distinctly narrowed to the base, needle-like, midrib not prom-
inent (often not visible), many in a small, basal cushion and in whorls at
widely spaced nodes on slender flowering stems. Flowers very small, yel-
lowish green; in clusters with leaves at upper nodes of the flowering stems,
lower 2–8 nodes without flowers. General: var.
mucronata has a more compact basal cushion.
Damp rocky places on mountains and in
grassland.
Summer.
MOLLUGINACEAE
Psammotropha myriantha Sond.
myriantha: with numerous flowers.

Dwarf, perennial herb, up to 250 mm tall. Solitary or in multiple tufts; stems
mostly underground, thick, short, hidden by leaves. Leaves strap-shaped,
midrib prominent, narrow, tipped with a bristle, spreading, ascending or
bending inwards; crowded in a basal rosette ± 45 mm in diameter. Flowers
tiny, yellowish green or brownish, honey-scented; in whorls, crowded, often
with small, bract-like leaves, on several slender, much-branched inflores-
cences. General: flowering stems more crowded than those of P. mucronata.
Spring.
ORCHIDACEAE
Bonatea boltonii (Harv.) Bolus
(= Habenaria bonatea)
Bonatea: named after Guiseppe A. Bonato (1753–1836), Italian botanist;
boltonii: named after Daniel Bolton (d. 1860), soldier and naturalist in
Grahamstown.
Erect, perennial herb, up to 400 mm tall. Roots tuberous. Leaves 5–13,
sheathing stem, green to greyish green, elliptic. Flowers green and white,
spider-like, upper hood; lip deeply 3-lobed, midlobe up to 22 mm long,
narrow, bent near middle; slender spur at base; 4–10 in terminal inflores-
cence, fairly densely flowered. General: grows
in full sun.
Rocky grassland, bushveld.
Summer.
MOLLUGINACEAE
ORCHIDACEAE
Brownleea galpinii Bolus
B. galpinii subsp. galpinii

Brownleea: named after John Brownlee (1791–1871), British botanist
and missionary in South Africa; galpinii: named after Ernest E. Galpin
(1858–1941), South African banker and amateur botanist.
Very slender, perennial herb, up to 400 mm tall. Root tuberous. Leaves
usually 2, along the stem, lower one larger, up to 200 mm long, prominently
ribbed. Flowers ± 5 mm in diameter, white to cream, spotted with purple;
hood spurred; side lobes free, spreading, showy; inflorescence 5–25-flow-
ered, a compact, rounded cluster. General: at
altitudes above 1 200 m, a mistbelt species.
FS, KZN, LIM and MP.
Damp grassland, seepages.
Summer–autumn.
ORCHIDACEAE
Brownleea parviflora Harv. ex Lindl.
parviflora: with small flowers.

Slender, perennial herb, up to 600 mm tall. Leaves mostly 3, along the stem,
narrowly lance-shaped, held ± erect, grading into bracts. Flowers very small,
± 4 mm across; buds and newly opened flowers white, rapidly staining
brownish; side lobes fused basally; spur sharply curved downwards; many
in dense, cylindrical inflorescence. General: pollinated by digger bees. Infre-
quent, sometimes among rocks, easily overlooked despite the white flowers.
Mountain grassland.
Summer–autumn.
ORCHIDACEAE
Disa saxicola Schltr.
Disa: named after Queen Disa, of a Swedish legend; saxicola: rock-dweller.

Slender herb, up to 200 mm tall. Leaves 2 or 3, on stem, but clustered near
the base, long, soft, spreading. Flowers ± 15 mm across, hood with round,
gently curved spur; white, occasionally suffused pink, with purple markings;
bracts tipped red; inflorescence laxly 6–25-flowered. General: always asso-
ciated with rock; often growing in half-shade.
LIM and MP.
In moss on rock ledges, in rock crevices.
Summer.
ORCHIDACEAE
ORCHIDACEAE
Disperis disaeformis Schltr.
dis: double, pera: pouch – refers to spurs or pouches on the side lobes;
disa: the genus Disa, formis: resembling.
Granny bonnet (E)
Very slender herb, up to 150 mm tall. Leaves 2, egg-shaped, dark green with
silvery veins, clasping, on stem, alternate. Flowers whitish, tinged pinkish
lilac, middle lobe hooded, spur curving downwards, conical, up to 5 mm
long, tip green; side lobes spreading, spurs tiny, 1 mm long; inflorescence
1–4-flowered. General: in light shade. Mainly found in the Eastern Cape;
only known from 2 localities in LIM.
EC, KZN, LIM and WC.
In grass and scrub.
Winter–spring.
ORCHIDACEAE
Eulophia hians Spreng.
(= E. clavicornis var. clavicornis)

eu: well, lophos: crest – refers to the crested lip; hians: open-mouthed.
Slender, perennial herb, up to 900 mm tall. Leaves on a separate shoot,
partly to fully developed at flowering. Flowers ± 20 mm across, white to
pale or deep purple; lip 3-lobed, side lobes often distorted and reduced, with
yellow crests of toothed blades, spur short; inflorescence lax, erect. General:
self-pollinating. While regarded as species here, this is currently treated as
E. hians var. hians, one of three E. hians varieties.
Grassland.
Spring–summer.
ORCHIDACEAE
Eulophia ovalis Lindl.
E. ovalis var. bainesii (Rolfe) P.J.Cribb & la Croix

ovalis: elliptic – refers to the petals; bainesii: named after John T. Baines
(1820–1875), English traveller, painter and explorer.
Robust, erect, perennial herb, up to 600 mm tall. Leaves slender, folded, on
a separate shoot, arranged in 2 ranks, fully developed at flowering. Flowers
± 35 mm across, cream-coloured, with a flattened appearance, lip with yel-
low crests less than halfway, spur short, stout, flattened; in 3–18-flowered,
terminal inflorescence, on long stem. General: found at altitudes of 1 000–
2 000 m. The smaller var. ovalis appears to be
restricted to Sekhukhuneland.
Open grassland, grassy places in bush or
thornveld.
Summer.
ORCHIDACEAE
ORCHIDACEAE
Eulophia parvilabris Lindl.
parvus: small, labrum: lip.

Robust, perennial herb, up to 500 mm tall. Leaves broad, channelled, out-
er short, on a separate shoot, fully developed at flowering. Flowers large,
± 45 mm across, cream-coloured; held ‘upside down’ with lip and spur up-
permost; lip small for size of flower, with dark maroon centre, crests on basal
third; inflorescence 6–18-flowered, dense as first flowers open, becoming lax
and elongate. General: found at altitudes of 1 000–2 000 m.
Open grassland, moist steep slopes and flats.
Summer.
ORCHIDACEAE
Eulophia petersii (Rchb.f.) Rchb.f.
petersii: named after Wilhelm C.H. Peters (1815–1883), German naturalist

and explorer.
Robust perennial herb, up to 2 m tall. Pseudobulbs large, ribbed, above
ground level; forming clumps. Leaves 3–4, thick-textured, stiff, often grey-
green, margins rough, tip sharply pointed. Flowers with tips of lobes curled
back, outer lobes ± 25 mm long, narrow, green marked with purplish brown,
petals green veined reddish, midlobe of lip white with crests purplish red to
pink; fragrant; in lax inflorescence, usually branched.
KZN, LIM and MP.
Bushveld.
Summer.
ORCHIDACEAE
Habenaria clavata (Lindl.) Rchb.f.
habena: strap or thong, aria: possessing – refers to the long spur; clavata:
club-shaped – refers to the stigmatic arms and/or the swollen spur tip.
Erect, perennial herb, up to 600 mm tall. Leaves on stem, sheathing at
base, numerous. Flowers spider-like, 2 lower petal lobes curved upward like
long horns, spur up to 50 mm long, green to yellowish green with conspic-
uous white stigma arms, ± 10 mm long, protruding; in lax inflorescence,
± 200 × 80 mm; many flowers open at the same time; fragrant at night.
Well-drained grassland.
Summer.
ORCHIDACEAE
ORCHIDACEAE
Habenaria falcicornis (Burch. ex Lindl.) Bolus
H. falcicornis subsp. caffra (Schltr.) J.C.Manning

falcicornis: sickle-shaped horn; caffra: from Caffraria, an old name for the
Eastern Cape.
Robust, erect, perennial herb, up to 800 mm tall. Root tuberous. Leaves
numerous, lance-shaped, erect, sheathing stem. Flowers small, spider-like,
white tipped with green, lip 3-lobed, midlobe longer and narrower than side
lobes; spur slender, ± 40 mm long, conspicuous; fragrant at night; inflores-
cence 20–60-flowered, lax, elongated, cylindrical, many flowers open at the
same time.
Grassland.
Summer–autumn.
ORCHIDACEAE
Neobolusia tysonii (Bolus) Schltr.
neo: new, bolusia: named after Harry Bolus (1834–1911), English-born

South African botanist and businessman; tysonii: named after William
Tyson (1851–1920), Jamaican-born South African botanist and teacher.
Slender perennial herb, up to 300 mm tall. Leaves 2 basal, spreading, el-
liptic; few on stem sheathing, small, grading into bracts. Flowers with a
conspicuous lip, white with pink blotch at the base, ± 10 mm long, margin
finely wavy or toothed; spur absent; outer lobes brownish green; inflores-
cence lax, up to 150 mm long.
Moist or marshy mountain grassland.
Summer.
ORCHIDACEAE
Orthochilus leontoglossus (Rchb.f.) Bytebier
(= Eulophia leontoglossa)
ortho-: upright, straight, cheilos: lip; leontoglossus: tongue like a lion.
Lion’s tongue orchid (E); leeutong (A)
Slender, perennial herb, up to 250 mm tall. Leaves stiffly erect, pleated,

longer than flowering stem, on a separate shoot; partly to fully grown at
flowering. Flowers not opening widely, appear ‘flattened’, ± 16 mm across,
white to lemon-yellow, lip with yellow to brown crests; spurred; inflorescence
many flowered, very dense, nodding, overtopped by uppermost bracts.
Dry to marshy areas in grassland.
Summer.
ORCHIDACEAE
ORCHIDACEAE
Satyrium cristatum Sond.
S. cristatum var. cristatum

Satyros: from the mythological satyr, half man half goat – refers to the pair
of horn-like spurs on the lip; cristatus: crested – refers to the crest along
the lip.
Slender, perennial herb, up to 400 mm tall. Leaves 2 or 3, basal, egg-shaped to
elliptic, spreading; stem leaves smaller, sheathing. Flowers white to pale pink,
blotched with red; spurs 2, ± 5 mm long; bracts bent downwards; inflorescence
emerging from centre of leaves. General: less common var. longilabiatum
A.V.Hall distinguished by longer spurs (± 10 mm
long), the 2 varieties often grow together.
Moist grassy flats, sometimes in marshy
conditions.
Summer.
ORCHIDACEAE
Satyrium longicauda Lindl.
longicauda: long-tailed.
Blushing bride orchid (E); langsterttrewwa (A)
Erect, perennial herb, up to 500 mm tall. Rootstock tuberous. Leaves 1 or 2,
on separate shoot next to flowering stem. Flowers variable in colour, white to
pink; sweetly scented; lip uppermost, hooded, with prominent, erect, hairy
flap; spurs 2, ± 30 mm long, partly hidden behind bracts; bracts bent down-
wards; inflorescence 15–60-flowered, lax, elongated. General: pollinated by
hawkmoths. For pink-flowered form see p. 208.
Open damp grassland.
Summer.
ORCHIDACEAE
Satyrium trinerve Lindl.
trinerve: 3-veined, allusion unclear.

Slender, perennial herb, up to 500 mm tall. Often in colonies. Leaves 2–5,
erect, sheathing stem, narrow, veins prominent below. Flowers white and
yellow; lip uppermost; spurs short, sac-like; bracts conspicuous, horizontally
spreading, white, ± 20 mm long; inflorescence densely 15–60-flowered.
General: pollinated mainly by beetles.
Black, wet soils.
Summer.
ORCHIDACEAE
ORCHIDACEAE
Schizochilus cecilii Rolfe
S. cecilii subsp. transvaalensis (Rolfe) H.P.Linder

schizo: split, cheilos: lip; cecilii: named after Evelyn Cecil (1865–1941),
plant collector and botanical illustrator; transvaalensis: from the former
Transvaal.
Dwarf herb, up to 300 mm tall. In small colonies. Root tuberous. Leaves
6–15, with 3–6 in a basal cluster, narrow; stem leaves smaller. Flowers tiny,
2–3 mm in diameter, white or cream, very rarely yellow, or white with yellow
lip; spur minute, lip 3-lobed; inflorescence up to 70 mm long, tip drooping,
very densely flowered. General: found at alti-
tudes of 1 000–2 200 m.
LIM and MP.
Grassland, often along margins of flat rocks.
Summer.
OROBANCHACEAE
Cycnium adonense E.Mey. ex Benth.
kyknos: swan – probably refers to the slender, elongated flower tube; adon-
ense: from Addo in the Cape where Cycnium was first collected.
Handkerchief flower, ink plant (E); inkblom (A)
Low-growing, perennial herb, up to 200 mm tall. Rootstock woody; partial-
ly parasitic on roots of other plants; roughly hairy. Leaves elliptic, sharply
toothed, sometimes yellowish green. Flowers showy, large, trumpet-shaped,
5-lobed, ± 60 mm in diameter, white turning blue-black when bruised;
solitary or paired in leaf axils. General: conspicuous after fire.
Grassland.
Spring–summer.
OROBANCHACEAE
Striga bilabiata (Thunb.) Kuntze
striga: swathe or furrow, allusion unclear; bilabiata: 2-lipped – refers to

the flowers.
Small pink witchweed (E)
Slender, erect herb, up to 300 mm tall. Stems usually unbranched, some-
times purplish at base; plant roughly hairy throughout. Leaves opposite, erect
or spreading, narrow. Flowers 2-lipped, lower lip 3-lobed, tube ± 10 mm
long, sharply bent at ± the middle, pink, purple or white, calyx tube short,
bracts overlapping; several open at the same time, in terminal spikes, elon-
gating in fruit. Fruit a capsule. General: root
parasite of grasses.
Grassland.
Spring–summer.
ORCHIDACEAE
OXALIDACEAE
Oxalis obliquifolia Steud. ex A.Rich.
oxys: acid, als: salt – refers to the oxalic acid content; obliquifolia: with
lopsided leaves.
Oblique-leaved sorrel (E); skuinsblaarsuring (A); motilantilane (S)
Small, bulbous herb, up to 150 mm tall. Rhizome vertical, bulb at the base,
small. Leaves many, stalked, with 3 leaflets; leaflets stalkless, rounded, the
middle one usually shallowly notched, slightly wider than the side ones.
Flowers ± 15 mm in diameter, funnel-shaped, furled at night; white or pink,
tube yellow; solitary, on long stalks. General: used medicinally.
Grassland, sandy soil.
Summer.
OXALIDACEAE
Oxalis smithiana Eckl. & Zeyh.
smithiana: probably named after Christen Smith (1785–1816), Norwegian

botanist.
Narrow-leaved sorrel (E); klawersuring (A)
Small, deciduous herb, up to 200 mm tall. Stems swollen underground.
Leaves many, stalked, with 3 leaflets; leaflets deeply divided into 2 very
narrow lobes, developing after flowers. Flowers ± 20 mm in diameter, fun-
nel-shaped, furled at night; white or pale lilac, tube greenish; solitary, on
long stalks. General: a variable species.
Grassland, on dolomite outcrops.
Spring–summer.
PASSIFLORACEAE
Basananthe sandersonii (Harv.) W.J.de Wilde
basanos: touchstone for gold, black rock – refers to black seeds; sander-
sonii: named after John Sanderson (1820–1881), Scottish horticulturist
and botanical collector in South Africa.
Miniature granadilla (E)
Perennial herb, up to 400 mm tall. Rootstock woody; stems several, erect
or trailing. Leaves grey-green, short-stalked, lance-shaped, sharp-pointed,
margins remotely toothed. Flowers small, ± 10 mm in diameter, 5-lobed,
corona well developed, whitish, on long stalks; 1–3 in an inflorescence, in
leaf axils. Fruit resembling a miniature grana-
dilla.
Regularly burned grassland, open scrub, forest
margins, on sandy and rocky soil.
Spring–summer.
OXALIDACEAE
PEDALIACEAE
Ceratotheca triloba (Bernh.) Hook.f.
kerato: horned, theke: a case – refers to the horned fruit; triloba: 3-lobed.
African foxglove (E); wildevingerhoedjie (A)
Erect herb, up to 1.5 m tall. Simple or branched. Leaves variable in shape,
± 3-lobed, margins coarsely toothed, on long stalks. Flowers ± 50 mm long,
funnel-shaped, 5-lobed, finely hairy, lilac to cream, lowest lobe with purplish
stripes; hanging; only 1 or 2 open at a time, in lax inflorescences. Fruit
a capsule tipped with 2 horns. General: unpleasant smell when crushed.
Leaves used as a vegetable; used in traditional medicine for various ailments.
Sandy soil, disturbed places
Summer–autumn.
POLYGALACEAE
Muraltia empetroides Chodat
Muraltia: named after Johannes von Muralt (1645–1733), Swiss surgeon

and botanist; empetroides: growing on rocks and resembling the North
European Ericaceae genus Empetrum.
Purple gorse (E); kroesbossie (A)
Shrublet, up to 200 mm tall. Branches erect, hairy when young. Leaves
clustered, ± 6 mm long, narrow, flat, hairy, midrib prominent below; spine-
tipped, spine curved backwards. Flowers small, ± 5 mm long, with 3 petals,
lower with 2 wing-like lobes, mauve; solitary, in leaf axils. Fruit a capsule.
General: at altitudes of 1 200–2 010 m. Genus
mostly endemic to the Cape Floristic Region.
GP, LIM and MP.
Rocky mountain grassland.
POLYGALACEAE
Polygala albida Schinz
poly: much, gala: milk – refers to the old belief that some European species
increase the milk yield of cows; albida: whitish.
Annual herb, up to 300 mm tall. Stems slender, branched. Leaves alternate,
stalked, narrowly elliptic, up to 70 mm long. Flowers small, shaped like
a pea-flower, with tufted crest on the lower lobe, stalks bent downwards;
white, greenish white or pale pink; in dense clusters, 20–70 mm long, in leaf
axils and at tips of branches. Fruit a capsule. General: widespread through-
out tropical Africa.
Summer–autumn.
PEDALIACEAE
POLYGALACEAE
Polygala hottentotta C.Presl
hottentotta: refers to the region of the Cape known as the land of the Khoik-
hoi.
Small purple broom (E); lehlokwa la tsela (S)
Slender, erect, perennial herb, up to 600 mm tall. Rootstock woody; stems
sparsely branched, wiry, green. Leaves few, widely spaced, alternate, very
narrow. Flowers nodding, small, purple, pink or yellowish white, conspicu-
ously veined, lower lobe with a tuft of mauve hairs; many in terminal inflores-
cence, up to 200 mm long, only few flowers open at a time. General: used in
traditional medicine to treat constipation.
Spring–autumn.
POLYGONACEAE
Oxygonum dregeanum Meisn.
O. dregeanum subsp. lanceolatum Germish.

oxys: sharp, gonia: angle; dregeanum: named after Johann F. Drège (1794–
1881), German plant collector; lanceolatum: lance-shaped.
Starstalk (E); lehlanye, lesanye (S)
Low-growing perennial herb, up to 200 mm tall. Stems erect or ascending,
branched. Leaves narrow, rarely lobed towards base; sheaths near leaf base
with long bristles. Flowers star-shaped, ± 10 mm in diameter, white often
tinged pink on outside; in small clusters, along upper part of branches. Gen-
eral: leaves used as spinach. Subsp. canescens
(Sond.) Germish. distinguished by its 3–9-lobed
leaves.
Open and mountain grassland.
Summer.
PROTEACEAE
Protea caffra Meisn.
P. caffra subsp. caffra

Protea: named after the Greek god Proteus; caffra: from Caffraria, an old
name for the Eastern Cape.
Sugarbush (E); suikerbos (A); mogalagala (S); tshididiri (V)
Shrub or gnarled tree, up to 3 m tall. Bark deeply furrowed, grey to black.
Leaves long, narrow, hairless, stalkless, leathery, dull grey-green. Flower
heads ± 75 mm in diameter, bowl-shaped, surrounded by creamy green,
pink or dark red bracts. General: multiple stems in frequently burned plants.
Occurring with P. roupelliae. For red-flowered
form see p. 212.
Rocky slopes in grassland.
Summer.
POLYGALACEAE
PROTEACEAE
Protea gaguedi J.F.Gmel.
gaguedi: the Ethiopian name for this protea.

White sugarbush (E); witsuikerbos (A); segwapi (S)
Erect shrub or small, gnarled tree, up to 3 m tall. Leaves greyish, becom-
ing hairless when mature; midrib yellow. Flower heads relatively small,
± 50 mm in diameter, bowl-shaped, surrounded by creamy green, silvery
hairy, spreading bracts; at tips of branches, usually solitary. General: easily
confused with P. caffra (hairless, smaller leaves) and P. welwitschii (smaller
plant, often several flower heads together).
Bushveld, grassland, rocky slopes.
Spring–summer.
PROTEACEAE
Protea welwitschii Engl.
welwitschii: named after Friedrich M.J. Welwitsch (1806–1872), Austrian

botanist and medical doctor.
Cluster-head sugarbush (E); troshofiesuikerbos (A); monopi (S)
Multi-stemmed shrublet, up to 1 m tall. In colonies. Rootstock woody; stems
erect. Leaves narrow, hairy when young, ± hairless at maturity. Flower
heads small, ± 45 mm in diameter, creamy white bracts open out into a flat
saucer shape; bracts hairy, tinged with brown; honey-scented; often a few in
terminal clusters. General: used in traditional medicine to treat constipation.
Flowers often visited by beetles.
KZN, LIM, MP and NW.
Grassland.
Summer.
RANUNCULACEAE
Anemone transvaalensis (Szyszyl.) Burtt Davy
A. transvaalensis var. transvaalensis (= Knowltonia transvaalensis)

Anemone: from the classical Greek name for the genus; transvaalensis:
from the former Transvaal.
Wild anemone (E); brandblare (A)
Slender, erect, perennial herb, up to 700 mm tall. Rootstock woody. Leaves
mostly basal, on long stalks, deeply 3-lobed; each lobe divided again, mar-
gins coarsely toothed. Flowers showy, ± 20 mm in diameter, white, fragrant;
several in branched, terminal inflorescence. General: used in traditional med-
icine to treat headache, wounds, bites. Leaves
cause skin blistering.
KZN, LIM and MP.
Grassland, often in burned areas.
Spring–summer.
PROTEACEAE
RANUNCULACEAE
Clematis brachiata Thunb.
klema: a vine; brachiata: branched at right angles.

Traveller’s joy (E); klimop (A); bogopa, sopapane (S)
Perennial climber or scrambler, stems up to 5 m long. Main stem woody, with
deep furrows. Leaves opposite, with 3–5 coarsely toothed leaflets. Flowers
± 20 mm in diameter, 4-lobed, white; stamens many, yellow; fragrant; in
clusters. Fruit with long, feathery styles, fluffy. General: used in traditional
medicine to treat colds, headache, sore eyes and stomach ailments. Attrac-
tive garden plant, easily grown from seed or cuttings.
Scrub and forest margins, hillsides, kloofs.
Summer–autumn.
ROSACEAE
*Rubus originalis L.H.Bailey
ruber: red, the old Latin name for the plant – refers to the colour of the fruit
of some species; originalis: original.
American bramble (E); Amerikaanse braambos (A)
Thorny shrub, up to 2 m tall. Stems angular, furrowed, prickles ± 6 mm long.
Leaves with 5 leaflets, terminal leaflet with rounded or tapering base, abruptly
narrowing into a tip; hairless above, ± hairy below; margins coarsely toothed;
stipules narrow, ± 8 mm long. Flowers large, ± 30 mm in diameter, petals
white, calyx lobes green with white margin; styles green, shorter than stamens;
stalks ascending; inflorescences leafy, 5–9-flowered, in leaf axils. Fruit red,
turning black. General: introduced from Ameri-
ca. Likely hybridises with indigenous species.
KZN, LIM, MP and WC.
Invades grasslands, forest margins, river-
banks, roadsides.
Spring–summer.
ROSACEAE
Rubus sp.
Bramble (E); braam (A)
Scrambling shrub, up to 1.5 m tall. Stems hairy and with prickles (bent
backwards). Leaves with 5–7 leaflets, ± same colour above and below,
margins toothed, venation on lower surface prominent; midrib sparsely prick-
ly, side veins without prickles. Flowers ± 13 mm in diameter, pink, petals
shorter than calyx lobes; many in terminal inflorescences. Fruit red turning
purplish black. General: the genus requires a revision in South Africa.
Provincial distribution unknown.
Forest margins, scrub, disturbed places.
RANUNCULACEAE
RUBIACEAE
Kohautia amatymbica Eckl. & Zeyh.
Kohautia: named after Francis Kohaut (d. 1822), Czech plant collector and
inventor; amatymbica: named after the AmaThembu people.
Tremble tops (E)
Slender, erect, perennial herb, up to 500 mm tall. Rootstock woody; stem
unbranched. Leaves few, very narrow, opposite, widely spaced. Flowers
± 12 mm in diameter, tubular; lobes 4, curled back, white to cream-colour-
ed above, brown-purple below; sweetly scented; opening in the afternoon; in
a loose cluster at tip of stem.
Grassland, rocky slopes and koppies, dis-
turbed areas.
RUBIACEAE
Oldenlandia herbacea (L.) Roxb.
O. herbacea var. herbacea

Oldenlandia: named after Henrik B. Oldenland (c. 1663–1697), Ger-
man-born South African botanist and physician; herbacea: herb-like.
False spurry (E)
Annual or perennial herb, up to 400 mm tall. Rootstock woody; stems much-
branched, intertwined, wiry. Leaves very narrow, stalkless, in widely spaced
whorls. Flowers tiny, ± 4 mm in diameter, tube narrow, 4-lobed, white or
mauve; on long stalks, solitary or paired at nodes.
Rocky areas, marshy grassland, bushveld,
disturbed areas.
Summer.
RUBIACEAE
Oldenlandia rupicola (Sond.) Kuntze
O. rupicola var. rupicola

rupicola: rock-dweller.
Delicate, trailing, perennial herb, stems up to 1 m long. Mat-forming. Stems
much branched, often rooting at nodes. Leaves elliptic to egg-shaped, tip
pointed, base rounded; stalked; sometimes rather thick. Flowers small,
± 8 mm in diameter, tubular, lobes 4, curled back, white, lilac or pink,
stalked; few together in lax terminal inflorescences, on erect shoots, up to
70 mm tall. General: size of leaves and flowers variable. Often in shady
places.
Bushveld margins, forest clearings, grassland,
on wet rocks.
Spring–summer.
RUBIACEAE
RUBIACEAE
Otiophora cupheoides N.E.Br.
otion: little ear, phoros: bearing; kuphos: bent – refers to shape of the cap-
sule.
Rounded, much-branched shrublet, up to 300 mm tall. Rootstock and stems
woody. Leaves opposite or in whorls of 3, small, lance-shaped, glossy green.
Flowers ± 10 mm in diameter, tubular, lobes 5, narrow, curled back; white,
sometimes tinged pink in bud; stamens and styles protruding; many, in clus-
ters at tips of branches. General: range extends into Eswatini.
LIM and MP.
In cracks of rocks, rocky outcrops, rocky
grassland.
Spring–summer.
RUBIACEAE
Pavetta gardeniifolia A.Rich.
P. gardeniifolia var. subtomentosa K.Schum.

pawatta: Sri Lankan name for a plant in the genus; gardeniifolia: with
leaves like a gardenia; subtomentosa: somewhat hairy.
Hairy stink-leaved bride’s bush (E); harige bruidsbos (A)
Shrub, up to 1.5 m tall. Leaves opposite or clustered on short side branches;
± hairy, base tapering; light green, dotted when held up to the light (nodules);
pungent smell when crushed. Flowers pincushion-like look, 4-lobed, white,
stamens and styles protruding; stalks hairy; sweetly scented; in rounded clus-
ters, ± 50 mm in diameter. Fruit black, shiny,
round, clustered. General: var. gardeniifolia dis-
tinguished by hairless flower stalks.
Dry rocky hillsides, in thickets or grassland.
Summer.
RUBIACEAE
Pavetta schumanniana F.Hoffm. ex K.Schum.
schumanniana: probably named after Karl M. Schumann (1851–1904),

German botanist.
Poison bride’s bush (E); gifbruidsbos (A); tshituku (V)
Much-branched shrub, up to 2 m tall. Main stem short, branching low down.
Leaves opposite or 3-whorled, often clustered near branch ends; tip round-
ed, base tapering, veins prominent below; dotted when held up to the light
(nodules containing bacteria). Flowers white, scented; in dense clusters.
Fruit round, black when ripe. General: poisonous to stock, causing heart
failure.
Wooded grassland, bushveld.
Spring–summer.
RUBIACEAE
RUBIACEAE
Spermacoce natalensis Hochst.
sperma: seed, akoke: a point – refers to the crowned capsule; natalensis:

of KwaZulu-Natal.
Perennial herb, up to 400 mm tall. Stems several, 4-ribbed, erect or trailing.
Leaves narrow, stalkless, in pairs, widely spaced. Flowers tiny, tube 1 mm
long, lobes 4, ± 1.5 mm long, triangular, white tinged pink; in small clusters
at most nodes, often appearing 1-sided as they are present in one axil only.
Fruit a capsule, crowned with persistent calyx lobes.
Grassland, roadsides.
Summer.
SANTALACEAE
Thesium goetzeanum Engl.
(= T. deceptum)
thesium: from the Latin name for toadflax; goetzeanum: named after Walter
Goetze (1872–1899), German naturalist, explorer and collector in East
Africa.
Branched, perennial herb, up to 300 mm tall. Root parasite. Base woody,
stems leafy. Leaves small, narrowly lance-shaped. Flowers tubular, ± 4 mm
long, lobes 5, short, spreading, white; bracts leaf-like; in leafy clusters, at
tips of branches, vegetative shoots overtopping the highest inflorescences.
General: occurs throughout the eastern parts
of central and southern Africa at an altitude of
1 000–3 000 m.
Rocky grassland.
Spring–summer.
SANTALACEAE
Thesium gracilarioides A.W.Hill
gracilis: slender.
Bushy shrublet, up to 350 mm tall. Root parasite. Stems woody, much-
branched; branches slender, densely leafy. Leaves very narrow, with a sharp
tip, erect, yellowish green. Flowers inconspicuous, tiny, ± 3 mm long, urn-
shaped, white, bracts leaf-like; in leafy clusters, at tips of side branches.
Fruit egg-shaped, ± 5 mm long, finely 10-ribbed. General: grows above an
altitude of 1 600 m.
GP, KZN, LIM and NW.
Rocky grassland, steep slopes.
Spring–summer.
RUBIACEAE
SANTALACEAE
Thesium scirpioides A.W.Hill
scirpus: a rush, -oides: like – resembles the genus Scirpus in the Cypera-
ceae family.
Erect herb, up to 300 mm tall. Root parasite. Stems from a woody rhizome,
few, upright, rush-like, grooved, branched. Leaves reduced to scales, incon-
spicuous. Flowers very small, ± 3 mm in diameter, erect, lobes with dense
woolly beard, white, bracts shorter than flowers; along upper part of branch-
es. General: the genus is under revision in South Africa.
Grassland.
Spring–summer.
SANTALACEAE
Thesium utile A.W.Hill
utile: useful.
Besembossie (A)
Perennial herb, up to 500 mm tall. Parasitic on roots of other plants. Base
woody; stems numerous, upright, branched. Leaves long, very narrow, erect,
alternate, widely spaced, greyish green, turning yellow-green later in the sea-
son. Flowers small, ± 5 mm in diameter, 5-lobed, spreading, white, bracts
shorter than flowers; on upper part of branches. Fruit nut-like, 10-ribbed.
GP, LIM, MP and NW.
Grassland, hillsides.
Spring.
SCROPHULARIACEAE
Hebenstretia angolensis Rolfe
Hebenstretia: named after Johann C. Hebenstreit (1720–1791), German

physician and botanist; angolensis: from Angola.
Erect, perennial herb, up to 500 mm tall. Stems much branched, leafy.
Leaves very narrow, length variable, tips sharply pointed; with smaller leaves
clustered in axils. Flowers tubular, ± 10 mm long, with a 4-lobed limb,
white, yellow or orange with an orange to reddish brown throat; many in
elongated spikes at tips of branches. General: closely related to H. comosa,
which usually has simple branches.
Summer.
SANTALACEAE
SCROPHULARIACEAE
Hebenstretia comosa Hochst.
comosa: bearing a tuft of hairs or leaves.

Katstert (A)
unbranched. Leaves long, variable in width, usually very narrow, stalkless.
Flowers tubular, ± 10 mm long, with a 4-lobed limb, white or yellow with
orange in throat, scented; many in dense, elongated spikes up to 200 mm
long. General: common in recently burned areas.
Grassland, grassy slopes.
Spring–summer.
SCROPHULARIACEAE
Hebenstretia dura Choisy
dura: hard.
Eastern shrubby slugwort (E); katstert (A)
Shrublet, up to 600 mm tall. Stems branching from the ground, upright,
woody, densely leafy. Leaves long, narrow, shape variable, spreading,
crowded. Flowers tubular, ± 10 mm long, with a 4-lobed limb, white with
orange in throat; many in dense, terminal spikes, bottom flowers opening first
while top ones still in bud, several on upper stems. General: long-flowering.
Rocky and mountain ridge grassland.
Spring–autumn.
SCROPHULARIACEAE
Hebenstretia oatesii Rolfe
H. oatesii subsp. oatesii

oatesii: named after Frank Oates (1840–1875), British naturalist and trav-
eller in South Africa.
Willowy slugwort (E)
Erect shrub, up to 1.8 m tall. Stem unbranched at base, leafy, branched in
upper part. Leaves lance-shaped, margins finely toothed, clasping at base.
Flowers ± 10 mm long, tubular, with a 4-lobed limb, white with yellow-or-
ange in throat, scented; many in showy, terminal inflorescence. General:
subsp. rhodesiana Roessler with margins only
toothed in upper leaf part.
Spring–summer.
SCROPHULARIACEAE
SCROPHULARIACEAE
Limosella inflata Hilliard & B.L.Burtt
limosus: muddy, -ella: diminutive; inflata: inflated – refers to inflated leaf

bases.
Mudwort (E)
Aquatic herb, in water up to 1 m deep; rooted in mud. Leaves floating, leaf
base appears fleshy but is inflated, attached to long, thread-like stalks. Flow-
ers ± 11 mm in diameter, 5-lobed, white to lilac; calyx lobes much longer
than the flower tube, stalks long, thread-like; floating among leaves. General:
occurs at an altitude above 2 000 m.
Dry grassland, common in rock pools and
marshes.
Summer.
SCROPHULARIACEAE
Limosella maior Diels
maior: greater, larger.

Mudwort (E)
Small aquatic herb, up to 130 mm tall. Tufted, creeping, rooting at nodes.
Leaves spatula-shaped, ± 3-veined, gradually tapering to a long stalk; erect,
crowded at base of plant. Flowers small, ± 10 mm in diameter, tubular,
5-lobed, white when fully open or mauve (especially on the outside), anthers
dark blue; among leaves, solitary, on ± erect stalks, bending in fruit. Gener-
al: in shallow water.
Vleis, in mud of streams.
Spring–autumn.
SCROPHULARIACEAE
Nemesia zimbabwensis Rendle
Nemesia: ancient Greek name for a similar plant; zimbabwensis: from Zim-
babwe.
Leeubekkie (A)
Slender, annual or biennial herb, up to 500 mm tall. Stems 4-angled,
branched from base. Leaves opposite, egg-shaped, margins toothed. Flowers
small, snapdragon-like, 2-lipped, upper lip ± 5 mm long, arched, 4-lobed,
lower lip nearly closing the throat, lobe notched, with a spur; white to pale
mauve with purple stripes; few in lax, terminal inflorescences. General:
known to occur in Zimbabwe and Mozambique.
LIM.
Rocky terrain, mostly in mountains.
Summer.
SCROPHULARIACEAE
SCROPHULARIACEAE
Selago capitellata Schltr.
sel: sight, jach: salutary – refers to supposed medicinal properties; capitel-

lata: having little heads.
Blou-aarbossie (A)
Shrublet, up to 400 mm tall. Rootstock woody; branched from base, branch-
es erect or lying on the ground to ascending. Leaves ± 10 mm long, narrow,
in whorls, sometimes crowded. Flowers tiny, tubular, ± 2 mm long, 5-lobed,
2-lipped, pale blue, mauve or white, stamens 4, in 2 pairs of unequal length,
protruding; in small roundish clusters, ± 8 mm in diameter, many ± crowd-
ed towards tips of branches. General: occurs at
KZN, LIM and MP.
Mountain grassland.
Summer.
SCROPHULARIACEAE
Selago rehmannii Rolfe

rapher who visited South Africa.
Galsteenbossie (A)
Perennial herb, up to 200 mm tall. Stems much branched, hairy. Leaves
very narrow, small, in clusters. Flowers tubular, lobes 5, unequal, white;
calyx reddish purple; in dense, round clusters, ± 10 mm in diameter, mostly
solitary. General: endemic to Limpopo Province’s eastern mountains.
LIM.
Mountain grassland, sometimes among rocks.
Spring–summer.
SCROPHULARIACEAE
Zaluzianskya microsiphon (Kuntze) K.Schum.
Zaluzianskya: named after Adam Zaluziansky (1558–1613), Czech bota-

nist and physician; microsiphon: small tube – refers to the flowers.
Drumstick flower (E); verfblommetjie (A)
Slender, perennial herb, up to 400 mm tall. Stems 1–3, erect, hairy, dense-
ly leafy. Leaves lance-shaped, stalkless, erect. Flowers side-facing, tube
± 40 mm long, 5 ± similar lobes, deeply notched, 2-lipped, 2 lobes above,
3 below; white inside, wine-red outside; in terminal inflorescences; bracts
leaf-like. General: flowers open in full sun, closing up like little drumsticks.
Rocky grassland.
Summer.
SCROPHULARIACEAE
SOLANACEAE
Solanum retroflexum Dunal
Solanum: Latin name for nightshade; retroflexum: turned back – refers to

the petals.
Sobosobo berry (E); nastergal (A); mofe (S); muxe (V)
Straggling, branched herb, up to 500 mm tall. Taproot; plant not spiny.
Leaves stalked, shallowly lobed, margins wavy. Flowers star-shaped,
± 10 mm in diameter, lobes turned back, white, anthers bright yellow; inflo-
rescences few-flowered, stalked, drooping, in leaf axils. Fruit a berry, black
when ripe; edible. General: leaves cooked as spinach.
Kloofs, stream banks, often in shade.
Spring–summer.
TECOPHILAEACEAE
Walleria nutans J.Kirk
Walleria: named after Horace Waller (1833–1896), British botanist, plant

collector and missionary in Central Africa; nutans: nodding.
Erect, perennial herb, up to 300 mm tall. Rootstock tuberous; stem usually
unbranched. Leaves on stem, narrow, stalkless. Flowers with 6 spreading
lobes, ± 30 mm in diameter; white or pale mauve, stamens yellow with
blue or purple tips, tightly held together in a cone; on long, slender stalks,
nodding, solitary in leaf axils in central portion of stem. General: widely dis-
tributed through subtropical Africa; mostly in sandy soils.
LIM, MP, NC and NW.
Bushveld, wooded mountainsides.
Summer.
THYMELAEACEAE
Passerina montana Thoday
passer: sparrow – refers to the black, beaked seeds; montana: growing on

mountains.
Mountain gonna (E); berggonna (A)
Multi-stemmed shrub, up to 1.5 m tall. Spreading with drooping branchlets
along streams; erect on rocky outcrops. Leaves scale-like, very small, up
to 4 mm long, narrow, stalkless, pressed against branches. Flowers small,
± 7 mm in diameter, tuft of stamens conspicuous, petals absent, creamy-
pink; ± 4 in clusters, at tips of branches.
Mountain grassland, stream banks, forest
margins.
Summer.
SOLANACEAE
VALERIANACEAE
Valeriana capensis Thunb.
V. capensis var. capensis

valere: to be healthy – refers to the plant’s medicinal use; capensis: from
the Cape Peninsula.
Cape valerian (E); wildebalderjan (A)
Perennial herb, up to 1.2 m tall. Stem unbranched. Leaves mainly basal,
with 1–9 pairs of leaflets, margins irregularly toothed; stem leaves few, op-
posite, decreasing in size upwards. Flowers ± 6 mm in diameter, white, un-
pleasantly sweet odour; inflorescence near top of stem, initially ± rounded,
later expanding. General: closely related to the
European V. officinalis, used for conditions of
the nervous system.
Marshy areas in mountain grassland.
Spring–summer.
VELLOZIACEAE
Xerophyta schlechteri (Baker) N.L.Menezes
xeros: dry, phytos: plant – refers to their tough habit; schlechteri: named af-
ter Friedrich R.R. Schlechter (1872–1925), German botanist and plant
collector in Africa.
Low-growing, fibrous, perennial herb, up to 150 mm tall. Mat-forming;
stems very short. Leaves narrow, tough, V-shaped, in basal tuft. Flowers
± 25 mm in diameter, white inside, tinged mauve outside; stamens 6, an-
thers conspicuous, yellow, ± 10 mm long; solitary on long stalks. General:
members of this family are adapted to dry conditions and specific substrates.
GP, LIM, MP and NW.
Grassland, rock crevices.
Summer–autumn.
VERBENACEAE
Chascanum hederaceum (Sond.) Moldenke
chascanon: mask with mouth wide open – refers to the flower shape; hed-
eraceum: resembling the genus Hedera, ivy.
White trumpets (E)
Semi-erect, perennial herb, up to 300 mm tall. Rootstock woody; roughly
hairy throughout. Leaves opposite, margins deeply toothed. Flowers with
a long tube, lobes 5, spreading, ± 10 mm in diameter, white; calyx tube
narrow, 5-ribbed, 5-toothed; in slender, lengthening inflorescence. General:
2 varieties in LIM, var. hederaceum is distinguished from var. natalense
(H.Pearson) Moldenke by different types of
hairs.
Grassland.
Spring–summer.
VALERIANACEAE
VERBENACEAE
Lippia javanica (Burm.f.) Spreng.
Lippia: named after Augustin Lippi (1678–1705), French-born Italian nat-

uralist; javanica: from Java.
Fever tea (E); koorsbossie (A); mosunkwane (S)
Much-branched, erect shrub, up to 2 m tall. Leaves often ± folded up-
ward along midrib, veins sunken above, margins densely toothed, light green,
strongly aromatic. Flowers very small, white to cream; in dense, round clus-
ters, ± 10 mm in diameter. General: traditionally used to treat colds, fever,
tuberculosis. May encroach on grasslands in the absence of fire.
Hillsides, forest margins, stream banks, grass-
land, roadsides.
Summer–autumn.
VIOLACEAE
Viola abyssinica Steud. ex Oliv.
Viola: Latin name for violet; abyssinica: of Ethiopian origin.

Letšididi (S)
Creeping, perennial herb. Stems long, thin, rooting at nodes. Leaves heart-
shaped, soft, stalked, margins notched with rounded teeth, alternate. Flow-
ers small, ± 6 mm wide; lobes 5, upper 2 pairs whitish, lower lobe blue or
violet, veined, with a blunt spur; solitary, curved downwards, on long stalks,
in leaf axils. General: widespread in tropical Africa. Used in traditional med-
icine as a poultice.
LIM.
Forests, in clearings, along paths.
Summer–autumn.
VERBENACEAE
Yellow
AMARYLLIDACEAE
Cyrtanthus breviflorus Harv.
kyrtos: curved, anthos: flower – refers to the frequently curved flower tube;
breviflorus: with short flowers.
Yellow fire lily, wild crocus (E); geelvuurlelie (A)
Perennial, bulbous herb, up to 300 mm tall. Leaves narrow, strap-shaped,
present or absent at flowering. Flowers ± 30 mm long, erect, funnel-shaped,
bright yellow; stamens protruding shortly beyond the throat; up to 10 flow-
ers in terminal inflorescence. General: one of the first plants to emerge after
fire. Range extends northwards to the Democratic Republic of the Congo
and Kenya.
Grassland, marshes.
M. Strever
AMARYLLIDACEAE
Cyrtanthus stenanthus Baker
C. stenanthus var. major R.A.Dyer

stenanthus: with narrow flowers; major: greater.
Long-tubed cyrtanthus, Ifafa lily (E); Ifafalelie (A)
Erect, bulbous herb, up to 300 mm tall. Bulb ± 20 mm in diameter. Leaves
shorter than the flowering stem, narrow, present or absent at flowering. Flow-
ers ± 45 mm long, tubular, very slender, slightly constricted at throat, lobes
short, recurved, yellow, sweetly scented, on short stalks; 3–7 in terminal
inflorescence, erect to nodding, flowers turned
to one side.
Mountain grassland.
Spring–summer.
APIACEAE
Afrosciadium caffrum (Meisn.) P.J.D.Winter
(= Peucedanum caffrum)
afro-: from Africa, sciado-: a parasol – refers to the inflorescence; caffrum:
from Caffraria, an old name for the Eastern Cape.
Wild parsley (E); pietersielietabak (A)
Slender, erect, perennial herb, up to 800 mm tall. Leaves in basal cluster,
much divided into lobed segments, parsley-like, present at flowering. Flow-
ers small, yellow; umbels ± 15-flowered, ± 15 mm in diameter, on long thin
stalks, in terminal umbrella-shaped inflorescences; pungent smell. Fruit el-
liptic, 5-ribbed, winged. General: young leaves
used as spinach.
Grassland.
Spring–summer.
AMARYLLIDACEAE
APIACEAE
Annesorhiza wilmsii H.Wolff
anison: anise, rhiza: root – refers to the flavour of the tuberous rootstock;
wilmsii: named after Friedrich Wilms (1848–1919), German apothe-
cary who collected plants in South Africa.
Slender, branched, perennial herb, up to 750 mm tall. Roots 1–3, new
root formed each year, tuberous. Leaves few, basal, finely divided, on long
stalks; mainly produced after fruiting. Flowers small, pale yellow; several in
umbels, ± 10 mm in diameter, on long stalks, in umbrella-like inflorescences
at the tips of branches. Fruit ± 5 mm long, without wings. General: genus
endemic to southern Africa.
LIM and MP.
Spring.
APIACEAE
Berula repanda (Hiern) Spalik & S.R.Downie
(= Sium repandum)
Berula: apparently a distortion of the genus Ferula; repanda: with a wavy
margin.
Water parsnip (E); tandpynwortel (A)
Robust, erect, perennial herb, up to 1.5 m tall. Rhizome creeping; stems
ribbed, hollow. Leaves fern-like, with up to 12 pairs of stalkless leaflets,
margins finely toothed. Flowers small, yellowish to greenish white; 20–30
in each umbel, several umbels in terminal, umbrella-shaped inflorescence.
General: rhizome traditionally used as a remedy
for toothache.
At stream sides, often standing in water.
Summer.
APIACEAE
Bupleurum mundii Cham. & Schltdl.
bous: ox, pleura: rib – refers to ridges on the seed, or cattle swelling after
eating the leaves; mundii: named after Johannes L.L. Mund (1791–
1831), German pharmacist who collected plants in South Africa.
Slender, perennial herb, up to 1 m tall. Flowering stem much branched, base
woody. Leaves grass-like, crowded at base of stem, present at flowering.
Flowers tiny, yellow, bracts lance-shaped; in umbels ± 8 mm in diameter, in
lax, terminal inflorescences. Fruit ribbed, crowned with a disc. General: the
only species of this genus indigenous to southern Africa.
Summer.
APIACEAE
APIACEAE
Lefebvrea grantii (Hiern) S.Droop
(= Peucedanum upingtoniae)
Lefebvrea: named after Charlemagne T. Lefebvre (1811–1860), French ex-
plorer and writer who travelled to Abyssinia; grantii: named after James
A. Grant (1827–1892), soldier who explored the region of the Nile.
Robust, erect, perennial herb, up to 2 m tall. Stem usually red or purple-spot-
ted near base. Leaves mostly on lower part of stem, with variously lobed
leaflets, stalked; decreasing in size upwards. Flowers very small, greenish
yellow; inflorescences terminal, umbrella-shaped. Fruit flattened. General:
plant takes several years to mature and flower,
after which it dies.
KZN, LIM and MP.
Forest margins, tall grassland.
Summer.
APOCYNACEAE
Asclepias aurea (Schltr.) Schltr.
Asclepias: named after the Greek doctor Aesculapius, immortalised as a god

of medicine; aurea: golden yellow.
Golden meadow-star (E)
Slender, perennial herb, up to 500 mm tall. Rootstock woody; stem erect;
sap milky. Leaves opposite, long, very narrow, margins rolled under. Flowers
star-shaped, small, ± 10 mm in diameter, flower and corona lobes spread-
ing, golden yellow; 2–4 in terminal inflorescence, on long stalks. Fruit erect,
slender, sickle-shaped, tip beaked. General: seen in burned and unburned
areas.
Grassy slopes on stony hillsides.
Spring–summer.
APOCYNACEAE
Pentarrhinum insipidum E.Mey.
pente: five, rhinos: nose – refers to the 5 corona lobes with pointed horn-like
tip; insipidum: tasteless.
African heartvine (E); hondepisbossie (A); mphyamafi (L); lefotosane (S)
Perennial twining herb, stems up to 3 m long. Rootstock woody; plant sparsely
hairy throughout. Leaves pointing downward, heart-shaped, with a pointed
tip, on stalks. Flowers reddish brown, lobes ± 5 mm long, bent backwards,
corona yellow, fragrant; in stalked clusters at nodes. Fruit solitary, ± beaked,
knobbly. General: leaves cooked as a vegetable. Used in traditional medicine
to treat cardiovascular diseases.
Mixed grassland.
Spring–summer.
APIACEAE
APOCYNACEAE
Stapelia gigantea N.E.Br.
Stapelia: named after Johannes B. van Stapel (d. 1636), Dutch physician;
gigantea: very large – refers to the flowers.
Giant carrion flower (E); reuse aasblom (A); hlohlwane hlo (S)
Succulent perennial herb, up to 250 mm tall. Stems many, forming dense
clumps, erect, 4-angled, angles flattened, edged with small teeth, leafless.
Flowers star-shaped, ± 300 mm in diameter, lobes with long, tapering tips,
yellowish with fine, wavy lines of reddish brown, sparsely hairy, corona dark
purple; foetid smell; in 1–5-flowered inflorescences near base of stems.
General: used traditionally for the treatment of
gonorrhoea.
Edges of bush clumps, more open grassland,
overgrazed areas.
Summer.
ARACEAE
Zantedeschia jucunda Letty
Zantedeschia: named after Giovanni Zantedeschi (1773–1846), Italian

botanist; jucunda: pleasant.
Golden arum (E); magapule, motši (S)
Deciduous, perennial herb, up to 600 mm tall. Tuber almost round. Leaves
triangular with lobes at the base; densely speckled with long white spots.
Flowers tiny, on central spike; enclosed by a large, funnel-shaped bract
(wide-mouthed), ± 130 mm long, golden or creamy yellow, dark purple
blotch in the throat. General: horticultural potential. Endemic to the Leolo
Mountains in Sekhukhuneland.
LIM.
Mountainsides.
Summer.
M. Andriessen
ASPHODELACEAE
Bulbine angustifolia Poelln.
bulbus: an onion or bulb, inus: resembling – refers to the swollen stem

base; angustifolia: with narrow leaves.
Naka la tholo (S)
Robust, erect, perennial herb, up to 800 mm tall. Rhizome woody. Leaves
fleshy, basal, almost circular in cross section, spirally twisted. Flowers small,
lemon-yellow, stamen filaments densely covered with long yellow hairs; sup-
ported by bracts; opening consecutively from the bottom; in terminal inflores-
cence lengthening in fruit to ± 360 mm. General: used traditionally to treat
urinary tract ailments.
FS, GP and LIM.
Spring.
APOCYNACEAE
ASPHODELACEAE
Bulbine capitata Poelln.
capitata: with a knob-like head.

Narrow-leaved bulbine (E)
Tufted, slender, perennial herb, up to 300 mm tall. Many plants closely
spaced along a woody rhizome, mat-forming. Leaves quill-like, cylindri-
cal, straight, bright green, numerous. Flowers ± 10 mm in diameter, star-
shaped, bright yellow, stamen filaments densely covered with long yellow
hairs; sweetly scented; in compact, ± flat-topped inflorescence overtopping
the leaves. General: conspicuous after fire.
Grassland.
Spring.
ASPHODELACEAE
Bulbine latifolia (L.f.) Spreng.
B. latifolia var. latifolia

latifolia: with broad leaves.
Water glass (E); geelkopieva, rooiwortel (A)
Perennial, aloe-like herb, up to 600 mm tall. Base tuberous, yellow; plants
solitary. Leaves in a basal rosette, yellowish green, thick, fleshy, broadly to
narrowly lance-shaped, U-shaped in cross section. Flowers star-shaped,
± 10 mm in diameter, bright yellow, stamen filaments densely hairy; bracts
thin, narrowly lance-shaped; inflorescences erect, 1–5 per plant. General:
considered a general medicine and tonic. This
plant (see image) is part of the B. latifolia com-
plex, members of which may occur in habitats
different from the one indicated below.
Among rocks on mountains.
Spring–summer.
ASTERACEAE
Anisopappus junodii Hutch.
aniso-: unequal, pappus: a tuft of hairs or scales on the fruit; junodii: named
after Henri A. Junod (1863–1934), Swiss missionary and botanical ex-
plorer of South Africa.
Shrub, up to 1.5 m tall. Leaves alternate, lance-shaped, base lobed, margins
coarsely toothed; veins raised below; stalked. Flower heads ± 15 mm in
diameter, rays and disc yellow; in terminal, dense, ± flat-topped inflores-
cences. General: southern African endemic, distribution restricted to moun-
tain summits between Mariepskop and the Wolkberg. Dotting rocky slopes
in winter.
LIM and MP.
Mountainous areas, in scrub and rocky places.
Winter.
ASPHODELACEAE
ASTERACEAE
Arrowsmithia tenuifolia (M.D.Hend.) N.G.Bergh
(= Macowania tenuifolia)
Arrowsmithia: named after John Arrowsmith (1790–1873), English cartog-
rapher and map publisher; tenuifolium: with slender leaves.
Rounded shrub, up to 600 mm tall. Stems erect, woody, leafless with promi-
nent leaf scars below, densely leafy in upper part. Leaves long, very narrow,
margins rolled under, tip sharply pointed, midrib raised below, erect. Flower
heads ± 20 mm in diameter, stalkless, rays and disc yellow, surrounding
bracts straw-coloured; solitary, at tips of branches. General: the only species
of this genus known to occur in LIM.
Grassland, among rock outcrops.
Spring.
ASTERACEAE
Berkheya carlinopsis Welw. ex O.Hoffm.
B. carlinopsis subsp. magalismontana (Bolus) Roessler

Berkheya: named after Jan le Francq van Berkhey (1729–1812), Dutch
botanist; carlinopsis: resembles the Carlina thistle; magalismontana:
from the Magaliesberg, Gauteng and North West provinces.
Wild thistle (E); bergdisseldoring (A)
Robust, branched, perennial herb, up to 1.5 m tall. Stems erect, whitish, leafy.
Leaves deeply toothed, teeth spine-tipped; greyish green above, white-woolly
below; stalkless. Flower heads ± 30 mm in diameter, rays and disc yellow;
solitary or a few together, at the tips of branches.
General: used for magical purposes.
GP, LIM and NW.
Mountainsides.
Summer–autumn.
ASTERACEAE
Berkheya densifolia Bohnen ex Roessler
densifolia: densely leaved.

Perennial herb, up to 400 mm tall. Stems not winged, branched in upper
part, densely leafy. Leaves erect, overlapping; stalkless, rigid, very narrow;
green above, white-woolly below; margin rolled under and with stiff bristles.
Flower heads ± 25 mm in diameter, rays and disc yellow; bracts in a few
rows, margins and tips spiny; solitary, at tips of branches. General: southern
African endemic.
LIM and MP.
Grassland on hillsides.
Summer.
ASTERACEAE
ASTERACEAE
Berkheya echinacea (Harv.) O.Hoffm. ex Burtt Davy
echinacea: prickly.
Robust, thistle-like, perennial herb, up to 1 m tall. In colonies. Rootstock
woody; stem erect, simple, branched above, winged, prickly, leafy to the top.
Leaves basal, large, egg-shaped, often absent; stem leaves elliptic, running
onto stem, forming toothed, bristly wings; upper surface and margins dense-
ly covered with straw-coloured bristles. Flower heads ± 50 mm in diameter,
rays and disc yellow, bracts spiny; solitary or a few in terminal groups. Gen-
eral: flowers visited by blister beetles.
Poor stony grassland.
Summer.
ASTERACEAE
Berkheya insignis (Harv.) Thell.
insignis: remarkable.
Perennial herb, up to 400 mm tall. In clumps. Rootstock woody; stems sev-
eral, erect, downy. Leaves along the stems, stalkless, narrow, bristle-tipped,
margins rolled under with long bristles along entire edge; lower surface
white-felted. Flower heads large, ± 60 mm in diameter, rays and disc bright
golden yellow, bracts spiny; solitary, terminal. General: used in traditional
medicine as an analgesic. Very showy, especially after fire.
Rocky grassy hillsides.
Spring.
ASTERACEAE
Berkheya radyeri Roessler
radyeri: named after Robert A. Dyer (1900–1987), South African botanist.

Perennial, thistle-like herb, up to 400 mm tall. Rootstock woody. Leaves ba-
sal, long, lobed, margins with spines, tip rounded, stalked; stem leaves stalk-
less, stem-clasping, far apart. Flower heads ± 60 mm in diameter, rays and
disc yellow; solitary, terminal. General: endemic to the Blouberg and Sout-
pansberg; occurs near mountain summits at altitudes of 1 700–2 000 m.
LIM.
Mistbelt, in grass among rocks.
Summer.
ASTERACEAE
ASTERACEAE
Berkheya setifera DC.
setifera: bristle-bearing.
Buffalo-tongue berkheya (E); rasperdisseldoring (A); tsebe ya tlou (S)
Erect, perennial herb, up to 1.2 m tall. In colonies. Rootstock woody. Leaves
few, mainly basal, lance-shaped, tapering to a stalk-like clasping base; upper
surface with straw-coloured bristles, lower surface hairy; margins entire to
shallowly lobed, spiny. Flower heads ± 60 mm in diameter, rays and disc
bright golden yellow, bracts spiny; several, in branched inflorescence, on
long leafless stem. General: used in traditional medicine to treat skin rashes.
Open grassland.
Spring–summer.
ASTERACEAE
Berkheya zeyheri Oliv. & Hiern
B. zeyheri var. zeyheri

zeyheri: named after Carl L.P. Zeyher (1799–1858), German botanist who
collected in South Africa.
Grass-leaved berkheya (E)
eral, erect, unbranched, downy. Leaves along the stem, stalkless, long, nar-
row, margins rolled under with long bristles confined to the lower half of the
leaf (compare B. insignis); lower surface white-felted. Flower heads large,
± 60 mm in diameter, rays and disc yellow;
solitary, terminal.
Grassland.
Summer (after fire).
ASTERACEAE
Bidens kirkii (Oliv. & Hiern) Sherff
bidens: 2-toothed – refers to the bristles on the fruit; kirkii: named after
John Kirk (1832–1922), Scottish explorer and botanist.
Erect, perennial herb, up to 1 m tall. Rhizome thick; stems several, irregu-
larly branched. Leaves mainly on the lower part of the plant; variable in the
degree of division, some deeply divided, leaf segments very narrow. Flower
heads ± 30 mm in diameter, rays (5–8) and disc yellow, on long stalks;
several, in branched, terminal inflorescence. General: also recorded in Mo-
zambique, Zimbabwe and Angola. Among tall grass and shrubs.
LIM and MP.
Mountain slopes, bushveld.
Summer–autumn.
ASTERACEAE
ASTERACEAE
Cineraria cyanomontana Cron
cinerareus: ash-coloured – refers to the greyish leaves of some species;

cyanomontana: from the Blouberg.
Perennial herb, up to 450 mm tall. Stems herbaceous, woody near base,
branching. Leaves deeply divided, elliptic to egg-shaped in outline; ear-like
lobes at the base of the stalk small, narrow. Flower heads ± 20 mm in
diameter, rays (7 or 8) and disc yellow; several, in lax inflorescences. Gen-
eral: restricted distribution; endemic to the Blouberg, found at altitudes of
1 700–2 000 m.
LIM.
Mistbelt, amongst rocks near summit.
Summer–winter.
ASTERACEAE
Cineraria deltoidea Sond.
deltoidea: triangular – refers to shape of the leaves.

Forest cineraria (E)
Erect or scrambling, perennial herb, up to 600 mm tall or stems up to 1.5 m
long. Stems slender, branched, straggling. Leaves bright green, triangular,
shallowly lobed, coarsely toothed; ear-like lobes at the base of the stalk
variable in size, coarsely toothed. Flower heads ± 15 mm in diameter, rays
and disc bright yellow; in lax, terminal inflorescences. General: occurs on
eastern highlands of Africa.
EC, KZN and LIM.
Forest margins, amongst rocks in mountain
grassland.
Autumn–winter.
ASTERACEAE
Cineraria erodioides DC.
C. erodioides var. erodioides

erodioides: resembles the genus Erodium in the Geraniaceae family.
Perennial herb, up to 1 m tall. Stems woody at base, branched. Leaves
triangular to kidney-shaped in outline, 5–7 rounded lobes, coarsely toothed,
ear-like lobes at stalk base conspicuous; sparsely hairy below. Flower heads
± 15 mm in diameter, rays (5–8) and disc bright yellow; several in terminal
inflorescences. General: in var. tomentosa Cron which has a very restricted
distribution, the lower leaf surface is densely covered with soft hairs.
Mountain slopes.
Throughout the year, but mainly summer–
autumn.
ASTERACEAE
ASTERACEAE
Euryops pedunculatus N.E.Br.
eurys: large, ops: eye – refers to the showy flower heads; pedunculatus:
with a flower stalk.
Erect, much-branched shrub, up to 1 m tall. Stems nude below becoming
densely leafy towards the branch tips. Leaves deeply divided; lobes long,
narrow, needle-like. Flower heads ± 20 mm in diameter, rays and disc yel-
low, disc flowers in raised dome; solitary on wiry, up to 250 mm long stalks,
tinged red; several at tips of branches. General: early farmers used the resin
as a substitute for gum.
Mountain grassland, rocky outcrops.
Spring–summer.
ASTERACEAE
Euryops transvaalensis Klatt
E. transvaalensis subsp. setilobus (N.E.Br.) B.Nord.

transvaalensis: from the former Transvaal; setilobus: lobe with bristles.
Slender, perennial herb, up to 250 mm tall. Stem densely leafy. Leaves
erect, overlapping; finely divided, green. Flower heads ± 15 mm in diame-
ter, rays and disc yellow, disc flowers in raised dome; solitary on long, wiry
stalks, often tinged red; in leaf axils, 1 flower head per branch. General:
subsp. transvaalensis has wider, bluish or greyish green leaves.
Short mountain grassland, often rocky or stony
places.
Spring–summer.
ASTERACEAE
Gazania krebsiana Less.
G. krebsiana subsp. serrulata (DC.) Roessler

gaza: riches – refers to the brilliant colours; krebsiana: named after Georg
the Cape; serrulata: finely toothed.
Grassland gazania (E); botterblom, kleingousblommetjie (A)
Small, perennial herb, up to 150 mm tall. Stemless; sap milky. Leaves tuft-
ed, narrow, upper surface green, lower white-felted; margins rolled under.
Flower heads ± 50 mm in diameter; rays white or yellow with green stripe
below, disc yellow; solitary. General: subsp.
arctotoides (Less.) Roessler mostly with divided
leaves. For white-flowered form see p. 43.
Grassland.
Spring–summer.
ASTERACEAE
ASTERACEAE
Geigeria burkei Harv.
G. burkei subsp. burkei

Geigeria: named after Philipp L. Geiger (1785–1836), German pharmacist;
burkei: named after Joseph Burke (1812–1873), British botanist who
collected plants in the former Transvaal.
Vermeersiektebossie (A)
Perennial herb, up to 500 mm tall. Plants erect or lying on the ground. Stems
leafy, simple below, branching above. Leaves long, narrow. Flower heads
± 20 mm in diameter, rays and disc yellow; solitary, stalkless, at branch
tips. General: subsp. fruticulosa Merxm. also
occurs in LIM. Some Geigeria species cause
vomiting in livestock.
GP, LIM, MP and NW.
Summer–autumn.
ASTERACEAE
Gerbera ambigua (Cass.) Sch.Bip.
Gerbera: named after Traugott Gerber (1710–1743), German naturalist;

ambigua: doubtful, uncertain.
Botterblom, griekwateebossie (A); magorometša (S)
Erect perennial herb, up to 350 mm tall. Rootstock thickened. Leaves in
basal rosette, stalked, variable in shape, green and hairy above, white-felted
below. Flower heads ± 30 mm in diameter, rays white or yellow above,
coppery below; disc white, yellow, reddish or blackish; solitary, on long, leaf-
less stalks. General: used in traditional medicine to treat constipation. For
white-flowered form see p. 43.
Open bushveld, grassland, along rivers.
Spring–summer.
ASTERACEAE
Gerbera galpinii Klatt

Upright perennial herb, up to 300 mm tall. Rootstock short, thick, silky-wool-
ly, with thick roots. Leaves erect, basal, narrowly elliptic, extending down the
leaf stalk. Flower heads ± 30 mm in diameter, rays powder pink or yellow;
disc magenta or yellow; on erect, leafless stalk, solitary, stalk not swollen
below flower head. Fruit flask-shaped, ribbed, with a ring of many bristles.
KZN, LIM and MP.
Vleis, marshy areas.
Spring–summer.
ASTERACEAE
ASTERACEAE
Gerbera piloselloides (L.) Cass.
piloselloides: with shaggy hairs.

Small yellow gerbera (E); swartteebossie (A)
Perennial herb, up to 300 mm tall. Hairy throughout. Leaves in a basal,
flattened rosette, elliptic with a rounded tip, almost stalkless. Flower heads
± 20 mm in diameter, solitary; rays short, white, pink or yellow, disc colour
as the rays; stalk erect, leafless, swollen below flower head. General: used
in traditional medicine to treat internal sores. For white-flowered form see
p. 44.
Open grassland, bushveld, grassy slopes,
rocky soil.
Spring–summer.
ASTERACEAE
Haplocarpha scaposa Harv.
haplo: single, karphos: small dry body – refers to the long scales at the tip
of the fruit; scaposa: with a leafless stalk.
False gerbera (E); bietou, tonteldoosbossie (A)
Perennial herb, up to 300 mm tall. Rootstock woody. Leaves in basal rosette,
broadly elliptic, somewhat rounded at tip, veins conspicuous; upper surface
green, lower surface white-felted. Flower head large, ± 45 mm in diameter,
rays pale yellow, disc yellow; solitary, on a leafless stalk. General: white felt
of leaves was used as tinder.
Grassland.
Spring–summer.
ASTERACEAE
Helichrysum acutatum DC.
cies; acutus: with sharp point – refers to the sharply pointed bracts.
Sticky everlasting (E); taaisewejaartjie, tontelbossie (A)
velvety. Leaves silvery grey, woolly, 3-veined with a prominent midrib, el-
liptic, winged base clasping the stem; mainly basal. Flower heads tiny, disc
flowers yellow; surrounded by sharply pointed bracts; in terminal, densely
branched inflorescences, ± 65 mm in diameter; sweetly scented.
Grassland.
ASTERACEAE
ASTERACEAE
Helichrysum albilanatum Hilliard
albilanatum: white-woolly.
Shrublet, up to 1 m tall. Stems many from the base, woody, brittle, long,
slender, densely leafy. Leaves lance-shaped, bases clasping stem, upper
surface woolly or with bristles, lower surface silvery grey-woolly; smaller up-
wards. Flower heads bell-shaped, ± 25 mm in diameter, disc flowers yellow;
surrounded by spreading, glossy, bright yellow bracts, sometimes pale brown
outside; several, in terminal inflorescences. General: in shallow stony soil.
LIM and MP.
Rocky mountain grassland, forest margins.
Summer–autumn.
ASTERACEAE
Helichrysum aureum (Houtt.) Merr.
aureum: golden.
Yellow everlasting (E); sewejaartjie (A)
Slender, perennial herb, up to 300 mm tall. Rootstock woody, producing 1
or several leaf rosettes; stems simple, erect, hairy. Leaves mostly in basal
rosette; stem leaves decreasing in size upwards, clasping stem; elliptic, hairy,
sometimes woolly on both surfaces. Flower heads ± 30 mm in diameter,
disc flowers yellow; surrounded by long, papery, glossy, golden yellow over-
lapping bracts, usually solitary, on long leafy stalk.
Open grassland.
ASTERACEAE
Helichrysum cephaloideum DC.
cephaloideum: head-like.
Perennial herb, up to 400 mm tall. Rootstock woody; flowering stems sev-
eral, erect. Leaves both surfaces grey-woolly; basal leaves in rosette, lance-
shaped, often withered at flowering; stem leaves small, narrow, erect, over-
lapping. Flower heads small, disc flowers yellow; surrounded by bracts,
bright yellow or straw-coloured, outer often tipped golden brown; several in
terminal, compact, roundish clusters, ± 30 mm in diameter, often webbed
together at the base with dense, matted hairs.
Grassland.
Summer.
ASTERACEAE
ASTERACEAE
Helichrysum chionosphaerum DC.
chiono-: snow, sphaero-: spherical – possibly alluding to the white bracts.

Dwarf everlasting (E); sewejaartjie (A)
Small, perennial herb, up to 100 mm tall. Mat-forming; stems many,
branched. Leaves narrow with 3 parallel veins, degree of woolliness variable.
Flower heads ± 15 mm in diameter, disc flowers yellow, slightly domed;
bracts glossy white or cream, spreading widely as the head opens; solitary or
up to 4 clustered at the tips of erect leafy stems.
Stony grassland, over rock sheets.
Spring–summer.
ASTERACEAE
Helichrysum chrysargyrum Moeser
chrysos: gold – refers to the flowers, argyr: silver – refers to the leaves.
Bushy, perennial herb, up to 400 mm tall. Stems many, laxly spreading,
leafy; old stems bare, woody below. Leaves silvery grey, long, very nar-
row, half-clasping stem. Flower heads broadly bell-shaped, small, ± 8 mm
across, disc flowers yellow; surrounded by bracts, glossy, inner yellow, outer
pale golden brown or straw-coloured; several in terminal, branched, dense
clusters. General: dotting autumnal grasslands.
KZN, LIM and MP.
Mountain grassland.
Summer–autumn.
ASTERACEAE
Helichrysum epapposum Bolus
e-: without, pappus: ring of hairs or scales around the top of the fruit.
Perennial herb, up to 600 mm tall. In tangled clumps. Stems slender, erect,
thinly woolly, branched near base. Leaves lance-shaped, half-clasping stem,
smaller upwards, rigid, margins rolled under; upper surface cobwebby, low-
er greyish white-woolly. Flower heads small, bright yellow; surrounded by
bracts, inner yellow, outer tipped pale brown; many in compact, flat-topped
clusters, ± 15 mm in diameter. General: used to make a herbal tea.
Muddy stream sides, marshes.
Summer–autumn.
ASTERACEAE
ASTERACEAE
Helichrysum galpinii N.E.Br.

Yellow rock-everlasting (E)
Dwarf shrub, up to 300 mm tall. Mat-forming on rocks. Stems woody,
gnarled; branches spreading, tips erect, densely leafy. Leaves spreading,
narrow, stalkless, both surfaces silvery grey. Flower heads small, bell-
shaped, yellow; surrounded by tawny or straw-coloured bracts; many in com-
pact, round, terminal clusters, ± 15 mm in diameter. General: sometimes
hanging from cliffs.
LIM and MP.
Rock outcrops, cliffs.
Spring–summer.
ASTERACEAE
Helichrysum harveyanum Wild
harveyanum: named after William H. Harvey (1811–1866), Irish-born bot-

anist, algologist and pioneer of South African systematic botany.
Perennial herb, up to 700 mm tall. Rootstock woody; flowering stem soli-
tary, erect, simple, thinly white-felted, leafy on lower half of stem. Leaves
mainly on stem, smaller and more distant upwards, stalkless, long and nar-
row, upper surface rough, margins rolled under. Flower heads small, yellow;
surrounded by tawny bracts; in clusters, ± 15 mm in diameter; arranged in
branched, spreading terminal inflorescence.
GP, LIM, MP and NW.
Bushveld.
Spring–summer.
ASTERACEAE
Helichrysum herbaceum (Andrews) Sweet
herbaceum: with soft stem, not woody.

Monkey-tail everlasting (E); mohlomela-tsie (S)
Perennial herb, up to 400 mm tall. Flowering stems solitary or few together,
erect, densely leafy. Leaves spreading at base, elliptic; stem leaves erect,
narrow, overlapping, upper surface cobwebby, lower felted. Flower heads
bell-shaped, 25 mm in diameter, disc flowers yellow; surrounded by bracts,
inner lemon-yellow, outer glossy brown, merging onto stem; usually solitary
at tip of stems. General: used in traditional medicine to treat heart ailments.
Mountain grassland.
Summer.
ASTERACEAE
ASTERACEAE
Helichrysum lepidissimum S.Moore
lepidissimum: most charming or pleasant.

Dense, much-branched shrublet, up to 500 mm tall. Branches leafy, woolly.
Leaves broadly elliptic, abruptly contracted to a flat, long stalk, margins
± wavy, upper surface lightly greyish white-woolly, lower greyish white wool-
ly-felted; decreasing slightly in size upwards. Flower heads small, yellow;
surrounded by glossy, white or creamy bracts; few to many in terminal clus-
ters, ± 15 mm in diameter. General: always in rocky places.
Rocky mountain tops, cliff edges.
Throughout the year, but mainly autumn–win-
ter.
ASTERACEAE
Helichrysum mutabile Hilliard
mutabilis: changeable.
Perennial herb, up to 1 m tall. Stems one or several, simple below, branch-
ing above into the inflorescence. Leaves lance-shaped, stem-clasping, both
surfaces hairy, decreasing in size upwards and distant below flower heads.
Flower heads ± 25 mm in diameter, slightly domed, disc flowers yellow;
surrounded by short, spreading bracts, inner bright yellow, outer light brown
on back; solitary at tips of branches in a spreading inflorescence. General:
similar to H. setosum which has close-set, relatively large leaves on inflores-
cence branches.
GP, LIM and MP.
Rocky sites in bushveld, grassland near forest
patches.
Autumn.
ASTERACEAE
Helichrysum obductum Bolus
obductum: covered over, overspread.

Shrublet, up to 600 mm tall. Stems erect or lying on the ground, much-
branched in upper part; branches densely leafy, older parts becoming nude.
Leaves small, narrow, ± 2 mm wide, with short stiff point, stalkless, both
surfaces with tissue paper-like cover, silvery hairy, ascending, overlapping.
Flower heads bell-shaped, ± 5 mm in diameter, yellow; surrounded by glossy
cream-coloured bracts, innermost slightly exceeding flowers; solitary or ± 10
heads in dense clusters at branch tips. General: variable in growth habit, leaf
length and arrangement of flower heads.
KZN, LIM and MP.
Rocky places, often among boulders, outcrops
on rocky ridges.
Throughout the year, but mainly winter–spring.
ASTERACEAE
ASTERACEAE
Helichrysum odoratissimum (L.) Sweet
odoratissimum: very sweet-smelling.

Hottentotskooigoed (A), mpepe (S)
Much-branched, straggling perennial herb, up to 1 m tall. In large clumps.
Aromatic, generally thinly white-woolly. Leaves variable in size and shape,
distinctly hairy below, clasping stem, generally continuing down the stem as
wings. Flower heads very small, ± 3 mm long, yellow; surrounded by bright
or pale yellow bracts; many in terminal, branched, compact inflorescences.
General: used as ritual incense when students learn to communicate with
ancestors.
Grassy or rocky slopes, colonises bare areas.
ASTERACEAE
Helichrysum oreophilum Klatt
oreophilum: mountain loving.

Dithupa (S)
Perennial herb, up to 300 mm tall. Rhizome woody, branched; flowering
stems simple, erect, thinly woolly, leafy. Leaves lance-shaped, both surfaces
greyish, only the main vein visible below; becoming smaller upwards. Flower
heads shaped like a spinning top, ± 7 mm long, yellow; surrounded by
lemon-yellow bracts with pointed tips, slightly exceeding the flowers, not
spreading; in terminal, compact inflorescences. General: used traditionally
for magical purposes.
Grassland, invades overgrazed and eroded
areas.
Spring–summer.
ASTERACEAE
Helichrysum pallidum DC.
pallidum: pale.
Perennial herb, up to 650 mm tall. Rootstock woody; flowering stem usu-
ally solitary, leafy in lower part. Leaves large, elliptic, gradually contract-
ed to long, stalk-like base, upper surface harshly hairy, lower thinly grey-
ish white-felted, 5–7-veined, net-veined and quilted. Flower heads small,
± 6 mm in diameter, pale yellow; surrounded by creamy to pale yellow
bracts; in compact, branched, flat-topped inflorescence, spreading with age.
General: often occurs in the same area as the closely related H. oxyphyllum
from which it subtly differs in leaf characters.
Grassland.
Spring–summer.
ASTERACEAE
ASTERACEAE
Helichrysum pilosellum (L.f.) Less.
pilosellum: shaggy hairy.

Robust, perennial herb, up to 450 mm tall. In small colonies. Rootstock
woody; flowering stem white-felted, erect. Leaves basal, few, spread-
ing or ascending, elliptic to ± round, narrowed to a broad clasping base,
5–9-veined, net-veined, rough and dark green above, white-felted below.
Flower heads ± 5 mm in diameter, bright yellow; surrounded by pale brown
bracts; in compact, large, rounded or ± flat-topped, terminal inflorescence.
General: range extends northwards to the Democratic Republic of the Congo
and Kenya. Sometimes treated as H. nudifoli-
um (L.) Less. var. pilosellum (L.f.) Beentje.
Grassland.
Spring–summer.
ASTERACEAE
Helichrysum rudolfii Hilliard
rudolfii: either named after F.R. Rudolf Schlechter (1872–1925), German

botanist, or after H.W. Rudolf Marloth (1855–1931), German-born
South African botanist and pharmacist.
Shrub, up to 1 m tall. Branches greyish white-felted, leafy. Leaves elliptic
or egg-shaped, tapering to slender stalk, upper surface thinly woolly, lower
surface softly white hairy, margins flat, decreasing slightly in size upwards.
Flower heads ± 5 mm in diameter, yellow; surrounded by glossy bracts, tips
whitish; many in ± flat-topped, terminal inflorescences.
LIM and MP.
Among rocks on mountain tops.
Summer–autumn.
ASTERACEAE
Helichrysum setosum Harv.
setosum: bristly.
Yellow everlasting (E); sewejaartjie (A)
Shrublet, up to 600 mm tall. Stems branched from base, erect, woody, brit-
tle, densely leafy. Leaves lance-shaped, stem-clasping, both surfaces and
margins covered with bristles; margins and the midline above sometimes
white-woolly, relatively large near the flowers. Flower heads ± 25 mm in
diameter, disc flowers yellow; surrounded by glossy, yellow, spreading bracts,
often pale brown on back; resembling miniature sunflowers; solitary at tips of
leafy branches. General: similar to H. mutabile
which has inflorescence branches with leaves
reduced and distant below flower heads.
Mountain grassland.
Summer–autumn.
ASTERACEAE
ASTERACEAE
Helichrysum splendidum (Thunb.) Less.
splendidum: splendid, shining.

Cape gold (E); geel sewejaartjie (A)
Lax shrub, up to 1.5 m tall. Much branched, densely leafy. Leaves long
and narrow, parallel veins, margins rolled under; upper surface grey-woolly,
lower surface whitish woolly; aromatic. Flower heads ± 5 mm in diameter,
yellow; surrounded by glossy yellow bracts; in clusters at tips of long, leafy
branches. General: useful garden plant. Encroaching on grasslands in the
absence of fire.
Rocky places, forest margins, stream gullies.
Spring–summer.
ASTERACEAE
Helichrysum truncatum Burtt Davy
truncatum: blunt-ended – refers to tip of the leaf.

Mat-forming, perennial herb, up to 150 mm tall. Flowering stems numer-
ous, from a creeping base, leafy. Leaves rosetted initially, narrow, becom-
ing shorter and narrower upwards, silvery grey with brown tips, clasping
stem. Flower heads very small, yellow; surrounded by bracts, inner silvery,
outer golden brown; many in compact, flat-topped clusters at branch tips,
± 15 mm across, webbed together with woolly hairs. General: easily recog-
nised by the brown tips of the leaves and bracts.
LIM and MP.
Marshy grassland.
Summer–autumn.
ASTERACEAE
Helichrysum umbraculigerum Less.
umbraculigerum: bearing umbrellas.

Woolly umbrellas (E); kerriekruie (A)
Tufted, perennial herb, up to 1 m tall. Young parts thinly grey-woolly, leafy.
Leaves grey, velvety, shape variable, ± elliptic, tapering at both ends, be-
coming smaller upwards. Flower heads tiny, ± 1 mm in diameter, yellow,
surrounded by yellow bracts; many crowded, webbed together with wool in
flat, umbrella-like inflorescences, irregular in shape, 30–100 mm in diame-
ter. General: flower heads retain their colour for many weeks.
Rough grassland, scrub, along streams.
Summer–autumn.
ASTERACEAE
ASTERACEAE
Helichrysum uninervium Burtt Davy
uninervium: one-nerved.
Shrublet, up to 1 m tall. Stems several, long, slender, base woody, densely
leafy, old parts often nude. Leaves elliptic, only midvein visible, both sur-
faces grey-felted with a yellowish tinge, on short stalk, decreasing in size
upwards; aromatic. Flower heads ± shaped like a spinning top, ± 3 mm in
diameter, yellow; surrounded by bracts, inner pale lemon-yellow, tips point-
ed, outer pale brown or reddish; many in branched terminal inflorescences.
General: a distinctive species; occurs on mountains.
GP, LIM and MP.
Rocky sites.
Winter.
ASTERACEAE
Inula glomerata Oliv. & Hiern
inula: empty, clean – refers to medicinal properties of the root; glomerata:

compactly clustered.
Zebe ya dou (L)
Robust, perennial herb, up to 1.5 m tall. Rootstock woody. Leaves alternate,
oval, hairy below, margins toothed; basal leaves very large, with long stalks;
stem leaves much smaller, stalkless on upper part of stem. Flower heads yel-
low; several together in dense clusters, ± 30 mm across, in a large, lax, leafy
inflorescence. General: used in traditional medicine to improve swallowing.
Range extends northwards to Angola, Zambia
and Tanzania.
LIM and MP.
Grassy mountainsides.
Autumn.
ASTERACEAE
Inula paniculata (Klatt) Burtt Davy
paniculata: with a branched inflorescence.

Herb, up to 1.5 m tall. Flowering stem woody at base, hairy, rough to the
touch. Leaves alternate, margins irregularly toothed; basal leaves large, up
to 600 mm long, elliptic, with long stalks; stem leaves becoming smaller
upwards, lance-shaped, stalkless, with ear-like lobes at the base. Flower
heads ± 7 mm long, yellow; many in fairly dense terminal clusters, arranged
in a branched, leafy inflorescence. General: range extends from West Africa
to Ethiopia and south to South Africa.
LIM and MP.
Grassland, in marshy areas.
Spring–summer.
ASTERACEAE
ASTERACEAE
Inulanthera calva (Hutch.) Källersjö
Inulanthera: with anthers like the genus Inula; calva: hairless.

Single to multi-stemmed shrub, up to 1.5 m tall. Stems erect, simple or
sparsely branched in upper half, thinly white-woolly, leafy. Leaves alternate,
tufted, stalkless, dotted with glands, variously lobed, margins entire to sharp-
ly toothed in upper half. Flower heads small, ± 6 mm in diameter, compris-
ing disc flowers only, bright yellow; anthers with tails at the base; many in
compact, flat-topped, terminal inflorescences, ± 105 mm in diameter.
Open grassland, forest margin scrub.
Summer–autumn.
ASTERACEAE
Metalasia densa (Lam.) P.O.Karis
meta: backwards, lasios: hairy – refers to the leaves often having backward
pointed hairs; densa: dense.
Bristle-bush (E); steekbos (A); lengalane (S)
Shrub, up to 1.5 m tall. Stems branched, erect, leafy in upper part. Leaves
straight, spreading, narrow, sharp-tipped, white-woolly below, stalkless.
Flower heads very small, narrowly cylindrical, disc flowers only, yellow; sur-
rounded by bracts with pointed tips, inner white, outer brownish; many in
dense terminal, flat-topped inflorescences, ± 35 mm in diameter. General:
once used for signalling. In a variety of habitats.
Sandy or stony flats and slopes, disturbed
places.
ASTERACEAE
Nidorella auriculata DC.
nitor: strong smell; auriculata: with ear-like appendage – refers to the leaves.
Bogošola bjo bonyane (S)
Robust, perennial herb, up to 1.5 m tall. In colonies. Stems erect, ribbed,
thinly hairy. Leaves stalkless, base conspicuously eared, stem clasping, mar-
gins toothed, veins raised below. Flower heads small, ± 4 mm in diameter,
disc and very short rays yellow; in branched, rounded, terminal inflorescenc-
es. General: used traditionally for stomach complaints in children.
Grassy slopes, marshy places, forest margins.
Summer–autumn.
ASTERACEAE
ASTERACEAE
Nidorella pinnata (L.f.) J.C.Manning & Goldblatt
(= Conyza pinnata)
pinnata: like a feather in appearance – refers to the leaves.
Perennial, aromatic herb, up to 750 mm tall. Stems erect, unbranched or
sparsely branched in upper part, ribbed. Leaves alternate, mostly along
stem, stalkless, elongated, deeply divided. Flower heads ± 10 mm in diam-
eter, pale yellow; several in clusters on upper stem. Fruit small, silky-hairy,
dispersed by wind. General: essential oil extracted from N. pinnata contains
a compound with anti-fungal properties.
Damp situations such as hollows in open
grassland, stream banks, forest margins.
Spring–autumn.
ASTERACEAE
Nidorella undulata (Thunb.) Sond. ex Harv.
undulata: wavy – refers to the leaves.

Perennial herb, up to 1 m tall. Root thick; stem angular, simple, erect; plants
mostly hairless. Leaves at base ± 300 mm long, narrow or lance-shaped;
stem leaves alternate, stalkless, base heart-shaped, running on to stem,
wavy, the upper ones smaller. Flower heads ± 4 mm in diameter, disc and
minute rays yellow; many in branched, terminal inflorescence. General: dis-
tribution from the Cape to tropical Africa.
Marshy places or damp hollows in grassland.
Summer.
ASTERACEAE
Osteospermum auriculatum (S.Moore) Norl.
(= Tripteris auriculata)
osteon: bone, spermum: seed – refers to the hard fruits; auriculatum: with
ear-like appendage – refers to the leaves.
Shrub, up to 1.5 m tall. Leaves opposite, margins toothed, stalks of at least
lower leaves with ear-like lobes. Flower heads ± 30 mm in diameter, rays
and disc yellow; several together at the tips of branches. Fruit 3-winged, with
translucent air chamber at the tip. General: when not in flower or fruit this
may be mistaken for O. moniliferum.
LIM and MP.
Mountain regions.
ASTERACEAE
ASTERACEAE
Osteospermum moniliferum L.
O. moniliferum subsp. septentrionale (Norl.) J.C.Manning & Goldblatt (=

Chrysanthemoides monilifera subsp. septentrionalis)
moniliferum: bearing a necklace – refers to the arrangement of the fruits;
septentrionale: northern.
Bush tickberry (E); bietou, bosluisbessie (A)
Bushy shrub, up to 1.5 m tall. Leaves shiny, ± succulent, oval to elliptic,
margins coarsely toothed. Flower heads ± 20 mm in diameter, rays and disc
yellow, rays curling back; few in terminal groups. Fruit small, fleshy, glossy
black when ripe; eaten by birds. General: berry-
like fruit unusual for the Asteraceae family.
Mountains, stony slopes and flats.
Autumn–winter. P.J.D. Winter
ASTERACEAE
Othonna natalensis Sch.Bip.
othonne: linen – refers to the soft leaves of some species; natalensis: from
KwaZulu-Natal.
Geelbossie (A)
Perennial herb, up to 400 mm tall. In colonies. Rootstock woody, woolly at
the surface of the ground. Leaves thick, lance-shaped, tapering to stalk-like
base, with woolly axils, erect, in basal rosette, blue-green, flushed reddish
purple at base. Flower heads ± 20 mm in diameter, surrounding bracts in 1
row, rays (8) and disc yellow; solitary, at tips of long, simple or forked stems.
Grassland.
Spring.
P.J.D. Winter
ASTERACEAE
Phymaspermum argenteum Brusse
phyma: swelling, sperma: seed – refers to protuberances on the fruit; argen-

teum: silvery – refers to the leaves.
Multi-stemmed shrublet, up to 850 mm tall. Stems woody at the base,
densely leafy in upper part. Leaves silvery hairy, stalkless, entire or divided,
segments very narrow. Flower heads small, cylindrical, disc flowers only,
yellow; numerous, in terminal, flat-topped inflorescences, ± 50 mm in di-
ameter. General: recorded in LIM only from the Strydpoort Mountain and the
Wolkberg.
LIM and MP.
Winter.
ASTERACEAE
ASTERACEAE
Phymaspermum athanasioides (S.Moore) Källersjö
athanasioides: resembling the genus Athanasia in the Asteraceae family.

Shrub, up to 1.5 m tall. Stems erect, woody, branched in upper part. Leaves
stalkless, up to 40 mm long, narrow, sharply pointed, numerous, crowd-
ed towards the tips of stems. Flower heads rounded, ± 10 mm in diam-
eter, disc flowers yellow; surrounded by a few rows of bracts; several in
terminal clusters. General: usually between summit rocks, at altitudes of
1 000–1 750 m.
Mountain grassland.
Winter.
ASTERACEAE
Schistostephium crataegifolium (DC.) Fenzl ex Harv.
schizo: cut, stephos: crown – refers to the deeply toothed ray flowers; cra-
taegifolium: with leaves like the genus Crataegus, hawthorn.
Golden flat-flower (E); bergkruie (A)
Slender, perennial herb, up to 500 mm tall. Rootstock woody; stem erect,
long, grey silky-hairy. Leaves stalkless, deeply and irregularly divided, seg-
ments pointed, often bristle-tipped, aromatic. Flower heads rounded, small,
± 5 mm in diameter, disc flowers bright yellow; several in flattish clusters at
branch tips. General: in moist places.
Stony grass slopes, around rock outcrops.
Summer–autumn.
ASTERACEAE
Senecio conrathii N.E.Br.
fruit; conrathii: named after Paul Conrath (1861–1931), Bohemian bot-
anist, chemist and plant collector in South Africa.
Erect perennial herb, up to 700 mm tall. Stem simple, ribbed. Leaves erect,
lance-shaped, sharply pointed, margins finely toothed, decreasing in size
upwards, stem leaves stalkless. Flower heads ± 25 mm in diameter, rays
and disc bright yellow; many in a branched, terminal inflorescence. General:
accumulates nickel in its leaves when growing on soils with a high nickel
content.
Grassland.
Summer.
ASTERACEAE
ASTERACEAE
Senecio coronatus (Thunb.) Harv.
coronatus: crowned.
Woolly grassland senecio (E); sybossie (A)
Robust, erect perennial herb, up to 550 mm tall. Usually in colonies. Root-
stock thick; stem densely woolly at ground level and covered with remnants
of old leaf bases. Most parts covered with woolly hairs. Leaves green, broadly
elliptic, margins finely toothed, stem-clasping, basal and on stem, decreas-
ing in size upwards. Flower heads ± 20 mm in diameter, rays (10–12) and
disc bright yellow; few in lax, branched, terminal inflorescence.
Grassland.
Spring–summer.
ASTERACEAE
Senecio hederiformis Cron
(= Cineraria hederifolia)
hederiformis: ivy-shaped – refers to the leaves resembling those of the ge-
nus Hedera, ivy.
Perennial herb, stems up to 200 mm long, hairy, slender, hanging, lying on
the ground or creeping; from a woody base. Leaves alternate, widely spaced,
stalked, 5–7-lobed, grey-green above, green above when growing in shade,
white-felted below. Flower heads ± 15 mm in diameter, rays (± 13) and
disc yellow; usually 4 or 5 in lax, terminal inflorescences. General: in mist-
belt or near rivers and waterfalls, only known
from the Blouberg and the Graskop area.
LIM and MP.
Crevices of quartzite rocks.
Summer–autumn.
ASTERACEAE
Senecio helminthioides (Sch.Bip.) Hilliard
helminthioides: like a worm – refers to the growth habit.

Climber, stems up to 3 m long, ± succulent. Leaves triangular to nearly
round in outline, shallowly lobed, margins toothed, stalks 10–30 mm long.
Flower heads comprising disc flowers only, ± 15 mm long, yellow or orange,
sweetly scented; conspicuous circle of small, leafy bracts below each flower
head; solitary or few in terminal inflorescences, on side branches. General:
often in rather dry situations; also recorded from Zimbabwe.
Forest margins, scrub, bushveld.
Summer–autumn.
ASTERACEAE
ASTERACEAE
Senecio inornatus DC.
inornatus: modest.
Erect perennial herb, up to 1.8 m tall. In colonies. Rootstock woody; stem

solitary. Leaves bright green, long, narrowly elliptic, with pale midrib, mar-
gins finely toothed; basal leaves tapering to a long stalk-like base; stem
leaves stalkless, running on to stem. Flower heads small, disc ± 5 mm in
diameter, rays (5–8) and disc yellow, rays curled back; many, in a branched,
flat-topped inflorescence. General: variable in leaf size and flower heads.
Often in moist places.
Grassland, along stream banks.
Summer.
ASTERACEAE
Senecio isatidioides E.Phillips & C.A.Sm.
isatidioides: resembling the genus Isatis in the Brassicaceae family.

Vlei cabbage (E); blouvleibossie (A)
Robust, erect, perennial herb, up to 2 m tall. In colonies. Stem densely
leafy, hairless. Leaves greyish green, leathery, margins finely toothed, broad,
base rounded, running on to and slightly winging stem, decreasing in size
upwards. Flower heads ± 5 mm in diameter, comprising disc flowers only,
bright yellow; numerous in large, dense, terminal clusters.
Forest margins or other damp situations.
Summer.
ASTERACEAE
Senecio junodii Hutch. & Burtt Davy

Perennial herb, up to 1 m tall. Stems slightly woody only at the base, ribbed,
leafy. Leaves up to 70 mm long, narrow, gradually tapering to the base,
margins finely toothed, hairless, folded upwards, spreading. Flower heads
± 15 mm in diameter, rays and disc yellow; several in lax, terminal inflores-
cences. General: southern African endemic.
LIM and MP.
Grassland on mountainsides, rock outcrops.
Summer–autumn.
ASTERACEAE
ASTERACEAE
Senecio oxyriifolius DC.
oxyriifolius: with pointed leaves.

False nasturtium (E); kappertjieblaar (A); mokhutakgakala (S)
Fleshy perennial herb, up to 1 m tall. Rootstock tuberous; flowering stems
erect, leafless. Leaves basal, bluish green, variable in shape, circular to tri-
angular in outline, margins coarsely toothed; stalk up to 150 mm long, often
attached to the centre of the lower blade surface (like an umbrella). Flower
heads small, ± 5 mm long, comprising disc flowers only, yellow; few in lax,
terminal inflorescences. General: used for magical purposes.
Grassland among rock outcrops.
Spring–summer.
ASTERACEAE
Senecio panduriformis Hilliard
panduriformis: fiddle-shaped – refers to the leaves.

Bosdissel (A); mohlotla (S)
Robust herb, up to 2.4 m tall. In colonies. Stem woody, leafy above. Leaves
grey-green below, margins toothed, widest in upper part, abruptly contracted
in the lower part to broadly winged, stalk-like base, half-clasping the stem,
large, decreasing in size upwards. Flower heads small, comprising disc flow-
ers only, yellow; many in a much-branched inflorescence. General: used in
traditional medicine to treat fever and for cleansing treatments.
In scrub on forest margins.
Summer.
ASTERACEAE
Senecio ruwenzoriensis S.Moore
ruwenzoriensis: from the Rwenzori Mountains, Uganda and Democratic Re-

public of the Congo.
Perennial herb, up to 500 mm tall. Rhizome fleshy, creeping; stems erect,
hairless, pale green, sometimes purplish. Leaves on lower part of the stem,
± fleshy, light green, hairless, narrowly to broadly elliptic, 3-veined from
near the base, stalkless. Flower heads ± 15 mm in diameter, rays (± 8) and
disc bright yellow; few in a lax, terminal inflorescence. General: distribution
from Nigeria to Sudan, southwards through East Africa to South Africa. Often
in shallow soil over rocks.
Grassland, around rock outcrops.
Spring–summer.
ASTERACEAE
ASTERACEAE
Senecio tamoides DC.
tamoides: resembling the genus Tamus in the Dioscoreaceae family.

Canary creeper (E); kanarieklimop (A)
Vigorous, evergreen climber, stems up to 4 m long. Often covering trees.
Leaves fleshy, triangular in outline, unequally lobed, margins toothed, stalks
slender. Flower heads ± 25 mm in diameter, rays (± 5) and disc bright yel-
low, sweetly scented; many in large, rounded inflorescences, 120–150 mm
in diameter. General: seeds wind dispersed. Showy garden plant; deciduous
in colder areas but recovers in spring.
Forest margins.
Autumn–winter.
ASTERACEAE
Senecio venosus Harv.
venosus: conspicuously veined – refers to the leaves.

Besembossie (A)
Perennial herb, up to 1 m tall. Rootstock woody; flowering stem erect, sol-
itary. Leaves on stem, alternate, erect, lance-shaped, base heart-shaped,
stalkless, stem-clasping, greyish green, leathery, conspicuously veined
when a leaf is held against the light, margins minutely toothed, decreasing
in size upwards. Flower heads small, rays (5–7, present or absent) and disc
yellow, on long stalks; many in a spreading, terminal inflorescence.
Grassland.
Spring–summer.
ASTERACEAE
Sonchus wilmsii R.E.Fr.
sonchos: sow thistle; wilmsii: named after Friedrich Wilms (1848–1919),

German apothecary who collected plants in South Africa.
Milk thistle (E); melkdissel (A)
Erect, perennial herb, up to 1 m tall. Stem hollow; sap milky. Leaves on
stem, alternate, decreasing in size upwards, thin, lance-shaped in outline,
variously lobed, toothed, stalkless, stem-clasping. Flower heads ± 20 mm in
diameter, ray flowers only, yellow inside, becoming pinkish outside; solitary
or 2–7 in a terminal inflorescence.
Spring–summer.
ASTERACEAE
ASTERACEAE
*Tagetes minuta L.
Tagetes: named after Tages, an ancient Etruscan deity; minuta: small – re-
fers to tiny ray flowers.
Tall khaki weed (E); kakiebos (A); khebajabajani (L); mopatše (S)
Erect, annual herb, up to 2 m tall. Leaves feather-like, leaflet margins
toothed; strong odour when crushed. Flower heads small, cylindrical, up
to 15 mm long, creamy white to yellowish; in congested terminal inflores-
cences. General: contains oil with insect-repellent properties; also used in
perfumery and as a flavourant in food. Common weed; indigenous to South
America.
Disturbed areas.
Summer–autumn.
ASTERACEAE
Tolpis capensis (L.) Sch.Bip.
Tolpis: origin unknown; capensis: from the Cape Peninsula.

Perennial herb, up to 600 mm tall. Rootstock stout, woody; stem ribbed;
sap milky. Leaves in a basal rosette, elliptic, margins toothed. Flower heads
± 10 mm in diameter, comprising ray flowers only, yellow; few to many on
long, slender stalks, usually leafless, branching only in upper part. Fruit pale
brown, ribbed, tipped with long white hairs. General: in tropical to southern
Africa and Madagascar. Seen soon after a fire.
Open grassland, often disturbed areas.
Spring–summer.
ASTERACEAE
Ursinia nana DC.
U. nana subsp. nana

Ursinia: named after Johann H. Ursinus (1608–1666), German cleric,
theologian and botanist; nana: small.
Yellow margaret (E); geelmagriet (A)
Bushy herb, up to 400 mm tall. Leaves deeply divided, segments very nar-
row, 2–6 mm long. Flower heads ± 25 mm in diameter, rays and disc yellow,
rays often reddish below; solitary, terminal, on long leafless stalks, drooping
when young. Fruit with white, petal-like scales at tip. General: used for magi-
cal purposes. Subsp. leptophylla Prassler distin-
guished by longer leaf segments (10–20 mm).
Gravel slopes and flats, disturbed areas.
Summer.
ASTERACEAE
COLCHICACEAE
Gloriosa superba L.
gloriosus: glorious, famous; superba: superb, splendid.

Climbing lily, flame lily (E); vlamlelie (A)
Perennial climber, stems up to 4 m long, slender. Roots tuberous. Leaves
shiny, bright green, tapering to tendril tips, stalkless. Flowers showy, nod-
ding, ± 60 mm in diameter, lobes with crinkled margins, curved back,
yellow or yellow and orange-scarlet; stamens large, prominent; large green
ovary at the base of the flower tipped by a style bent outwards; on long stalks
on the upper parts of the stems.
Bushveld, riverbanks.
Summer.
COMMELINACEAE
Commelina africana L.
Commelina: named after Johan Commelin (1629–1692), Dutch botanist

who described South African plants; africana: from Africa.
Wandering Jew (E); geeleendagsblom (A); kgopo, bjangmphara (S)
Spreading, perennial herb, stems up to 500 mm long. Rootstock woody.
Leaves long, narrow, stalkless, base sheathing stem. Flowers small, petals
3, the upper 2 large, paddle-shaped, lemon-yellow, the lower petal small,
scale-like, pale; in boat-shaped bract; usually closing by midday. General: 4
varieties differing mainly in their leaf characters. Used in traditional medicine
to treat hypertension.
Grassland, bushveld, rock outcrops.
Spring–summer.
CONVOLVULACEAE
Ipomoea obscura (L.) Ker Gawl.
ips: bindweed, Convolvulus species, homoios: resembling; obscura: indis-

tinct.
Wild petunia (E); wildepatat (A); muduhwi (V)
Perennial herb, stems up to 2 m long, several, slender, creeping or twining;
taproot long. Leaves heart-shaped, tapering to the tip, basal lobes rounded,
thinly hairy on both surfaces, margins often hairy and wavy. Flowers large,
± 30 mm in diameter, broadly funnel-shaped, pale yellow; solitary or in
groups of 2 or 3 in leaf axils. Fruit a round, brown capsule. General: used as
wild vegetable.
Bushveld, grassland, sandy soils, roadsides.
Summer–autumn.
COLCHICACEAE
CONVOLVULACEAE
Xenostegia tridentata (L.) D.F.Austin & Staples
X. tridentata subsp. angustifolia (Jacq.) Lejoly & Lisowski (= Merremia tri-

dentata)
xenos: strange, stege: shelter; tridentata: 3-toothed – refers to the leaves;
angustifolia: with narrow leaves.
Miniature morning glory (E); frankhout (A)
Slender, creeping, perennial herb, stems up to 3 m long. Leaves long, nar-
row, small toothed ear-like lobes at the base, on very short stalks, widely
spaced. Flowers ± 20 mm in diameter, funnel-shaped, pale yellow, some-
times with purple throat; 1–3 in leaf axils. Fruit
an egg-shaped capsule. General: in a variety of
habitats, disturbed places. Traditionally used to
treat stomach complaints and headaches.
Bushveld, grassland, roadsides, sandy soils.
Summer–autumn.
CRASSULACEAE
Kalanchoe luciae Raym.-Hamet
K. luciae subsp. luciae

Kalanchoe: Chinese name for one of the species; luciae: possibly named
after Lucy Dufour, an acquaintance of French botanist and physician
Raymond-Hamet who first described K. luciae in 1908.
Northern white lady (E); pipitwane, mošimanyanašokeng (S)
Succulent perennial, up to 2 m tall. Flowering stem erect; plant covered with
a white mealy layer falling off with age. Leaves stalkless, round, fleshy, flat,
grey-green tinged red on margins. Flowers urn-shaped, tube ± 10 mm long,
4 lobes, pale greenish yellow; many clustered
in sections along the flowering stem. General:
used as a charm to remove bad luck.
Rocky hilltops.
Autumn–winter.
CRASSULACEAE
Kalanchoe cf. winteri Gideon F.Sm., N.R.Crouch & Mich.Walters
winteri: named after Pieter J.D. Winter (b. 1964), South African botanist.
Robust, succulent perennial, up to 900 mm tall. Stems erect to leaning,
light green; plant covered with waxy layer. Leaves in 1–3 basal rosettes,
disc-shaped, large, fleshy, light green to bluish green; stem leaves opposite,
axils often carrying small shoots that produce flowers. Flowers with tube
± 12 mm long, enlarged in the middle, 4-angled, 4 lobes, margins inrolled,
golden yellow; many in clusters, on elongated, terminal inflorescences. Gen-
eral: at altitudes of 1 370–1 750 m, restricted mainly to the Wolkberg.
LIM.
Quartzite rocks in grassland.
Winter–spring.
CONVOLVULACEAE
CUCURBITACEAE
Cucumis zeyheri Sond.
Cucumis: Latin name for cucumber; zeyheri: named after Carl L.P. Zeyher
(1799–1858), German botanist who collected in South Africa.
Wild cucumber (E); doringkomkommertjie (A); monyaku (S)
Trailing, perennial herb, stems up to 2 m long. Rootstock woody; stems and
leaves coarsely hairy. Leaves stalked, deeply 3–5-lobed, margins toothed;
tendrils present. Flowers small, ± 10 mm in diameter, yellow; male and
female on the same plant; solitary in leaf axils. Fruit oval, softly spiny, ca-
nary-yellow when ripe, poisonous. General: used in traditional medicine to
treat stomach complaints in children and hy-
pertension.
Open bushveld, grassland.
Summer.
CUCURBITACEAE
Peponium caledonicum (Sond.) Engl.
pepo: a melon; caledonicum: from the Caledon River area.

Lešogotho (S)
Climbing, perennial herb, stems up to 5 m long, ribbed, hairy. Rootstock
tuberous. Leaves lobed, margins toothed, net-veined and quilted, veins
prominently raised on lower surface; tendrils present. Flowers 5-lobed, hairy,
yellow, male several in an inflorescence, female solitary, large, ± 30 mm in
diameter. Fruit oval, tip beaked, fleshy, red when ripe, many-seeded. Gener-
al: leaves used as spinach and interior of fruit for scrubbing.
Grassy slopes, rock outcrops.
Summer–autumn.
CYPERACEAE
Cyperus obtusiflorus Vahl
C. obtusiflorus var. flavissimus (Schrad.) Boeck. (= C. sphaerocephalus)

cuperos: sedge or rush; obtusiflorus: flowers blunt at end; flavissimus: very
yellow.
Yellow sedge (E); geelbiesie (A)
Slender, erect, perennial herb, up to 450 mm tall. Leaves grass-like, basal,
tufted, stiff. Flowers tiny, in broad, flat spikelets; numerous spikelets clus-
tered in terminal, compact, rounded inflorescence, ± 25 mm in diameter,
bright golden yellow; bracts long, leaf-like, below inflorescence. General:
at higher altitudes. The white var. obtusiflorus
(see p. 61) is more widespread in LIM.
Rocky grassland.
Spring–summer.
CUCURBITACEAE
ERIOSPERMACEAE
Eriospermum flagelliforme (Baker) J.C.Manning
(= E. abyssinicum)
erion: wool, sperma: seed – refers to woolly seeds; flagelliforme: whip-
shaped – refers to the long, thin shoots.
Slender fluff-seed (E)
Slender, perennial herb, up to 400 mm tall. Underground tuber. Leaf sol-
itary, erect, narrow, veins parallel, after flowers. Flowers ± 14 mm in di-
ameter, yellow with a central green band tinged reddish; solitary on long,
wiry stalks curving upwards, lower one more elongated than the one above
it; in a lax inflorescence. Fruit a capsule; seeds
covered with silky hairs.
Grassland.
Spring–summer.
ERIOSPERMACEAE
Eriospermum porphyrovalve Baker
porphyro: purple, valve: segments of a capsule.

Small fluff-seed (E)
Dwarf, perennial herb, up to 150 mm tall. Tuber fleshy, underground; stem
somewhat zigzag, erect. Leaves up to 3, narrowly elliptic; sometimes pro-
duced after flowering. Flowers small, ± 10 mm in diameter, lobes 6, narrow,
spreading, yellow, lower stalks not conspicuously longer than upper ones;
several in a lax inflorescence. Fruit a capsule; seeds densely covered with
long, white hairs.
Damp shallow soil on rocky ridges.
Summer.
EUPHORBIACEAE
Euphorbia clavarioides Boiss.
Euphorbia: named after Euphorbus, 1st century physician; clavarioides:

resembles the fungal genus Clavaria.
Lion’s spoor (E); melkpol (A); tshita di ngaka (S)
Perennial succulent, up to 50 mm tall. Main stem underground; densely
crowded branches forming a cushion, up to 300 mm in diameter, sap milky.
Leaves tiny, few at tips of finger-like branches, fall off soon after appearing.
Flowers small, yellow, at the tips of branches. Fruit a fleshy, 3-lobed capsule.
General: sap used in traditional medicine to treat cancerous sores and warts.
Grassland, rocky slopes, sandy flats.
Autumn–winter.
ERIOSPERMACEAE
FABACEAE
Argyrolobium harveyanum Oliv.
argyros: silver, lobos: a pod – refers to the silver-haired pods of some spe-
cies; harveyanum: named after William H. Harvey (1811–1866), Irish-
born botanist, algologist and pioneer of South African systematic botany.
Slender, perennial herb, up to 300 mm tall. Rootstock small, tuberous;
stems unbranched, erect or ascending. Leaves few, widely spaced, with 3
leaflets, narrowly elliptic, hairy. Flowers ± 12 mm long, bright yellow; 1 or
2, on very short stalks, opposite the leaves, near tips of stems. Fruit a pod
± 40 × 3 mm, flattened, hairy. General: grazed by stock.
Spring–summer.
FABACEAE
Argyrolobium tomentosum (Andrews) Druce
tomentosum: densely covered with short hairs.

Velvet yellow bush pea (E)
Much-branched, slender, scrambling shrub, up to 1.5 m tall. Leaves with 3
leaflets, elliptic, very sparsely hairy above, green with pale hairy margins,
more densely hairy below, usually widely spaced. Flowers ± 12 mm long,
yellow turning orange with age, calyx 2-lipped, sometimes reddish; several
in long-stalked, leaf-opposed inflorescences. Fruit a pod up to 50 mm long,
flattened, slightly curved, hairy.
Forest margins.
Summer–autumn.
FABACEAE
Argyrolobium transvaalense Schinz
transvaalense: from the former Transvaal.

Bidzilomi (L); potsolome (S)
Much-branched shrub, up to 1 m tall. In colonies. Stems hairy. Leaves with
3 leaflets, elliptic, margins rolled upwards, hairless above, silky-hairy below,
stipules lance-shaped. Flowers ± 15 mm long, showy, yellow, slightly scent-
ed; many, in showy, terminal inflorescences. Fruit a pod up to 60 mm long,
narrow, flattened, hairy. General: conspicuous after fire. Used in traditional
medicine for stomach complaints and female infertility.
LIM and MP.
Rocky slopes in mountain grassland.
Spring–summer.
FABACEAE
FABACEAE
Argyrolobium tuberosum Eckl. & Zeyh.
tuberosum: swollen into a tuber.

Little russet pea (E)
Slender, perennial herb, up to 600 mm tall. Roots tuberous; stems sparsely
branched, erect or ascending. Leaves with stalk and 3 leaflets, narrowly
elliptic, tapering to a fine point, widely spaced. Flowers yellow tinged with
reddish brown, red-brown outside, calyx silky-hairy, stalks very short; few
in sparse, terminal inflorescences. Fruit a pod up to 50 mm long, narrow,
straight or slightly curved.
Spring–summer.
FABACEAE
Argyrolobium wilmsii Harms

Bushy shrublet, up to 800 mm tall. Rootstock woody; stems much-
branched, hairy. Leaves with 3 leaflets, elliptic, velvety hairy on both surfac-
es, stalked. Flowers ± 15 mm long, bright yellow turning orange with age,
calyx 2-lipped; few, on short stalks, clustered at tips of branches. Fruit a pod
velvety, flattened, up to 55 mm long. General: range extends to Eswatini.
LIM and MP.
Spring–summer.
FABACEAE
Chamaecrista capensis (Thunb.) E.Mey.
C. capensis var. capensis

chamai: on the ground, crista: a crest; capensis: from the Cape Peninsula.
Dwarf cassia (E); mokhalela (S)
Sprawling perennial herb, up to 300 mm tall. Rootstock woody; stems sev-
eral, lying on the ground or semi-erect. Leaves tapering slightly at tip, with
up to 25 pairs of leaflets. Flowers 5-lobed, ± 20 mm in diameter, bright
yellow, stamens conspicuous, stalks elongating at fruiting; inflorescences up to
5-flowered, in leaf axils. General: var. flavescens
(Thunb.) E.Mey. differs in the hairiness of the
stems. Traditionally used as a good luck charm.
Grassland.
Summer.
FABACEAE
FABACEAE
Chamaecrista comosa E.Mey.
C. comosa var. capricornia (Steyaert) Lock

comosa: bearing a tuft of hairs or leaves; capricornia: Tropic of Capricorn.
simple or sparsely branched, ± ridged. Leaves long, narrow, tapering slightly
at tip, with many pairs of leaflets, main axis grooved above. Flowers similar
to those of C. capensis, calyx reddish, stalks elongating up to 25 mm at fruit-
ing; inflorescences 2- or 3-flowered, borne above leaf axils. General: genus
widespread throughout the tropics.
GP, LIM, MP and NW.
Spring–summer.
FABACEAE
Eriosema cordatum E.Mey.
erion: wool, sema: sign – refers to the woolly large upper petal; cordatum:
heart-shaped – refers to the leaves.
Heart-leaved eriosema (E)
Perennial herb, up to 400 mm tall. Rootstock large, woody; stems hairy,
trailing, tips often growing upwards. Leaves few, simple or with 3 large leaf-
lets, oval, base sometimes ± heart-shaped, thinly hairy. Flowers down-fac-
ing, ± 10 mm in diameter, yellow veined with red, calyx hairy; many in
erect inflorescences, on long stalks, in leaf axils. Fruit a pod round in outline,
flat, hairy.
Spring–summer.
FABACEAE
Eriosema ellipticifolium Schinz
ellipticifolium: with elliptic leaves.

Mundodzi (V)
Dwarf perennial herb, up to 100 mm tall. Rootstock woody; stems several,
erect, hairy. Leaves on stalks up to 6 mm long, with 3 elliptic leaflets, termi-
nal leaflet usually larger than side leaflets, hairy above, veins prominent and
hairy below, stipules up to 18 mm long, lance-shaped. Flowers ± 10 mm
long, yellow, large upper petal curved backwards, calyx hairy, 5-lobed; few
to several in erect inflorescences, on long stalks, in leaf axils. General: fruit
edible.
KZN, LIM and MP.
Amongst rocks in short grassland.
Summer.
FABACEAE
FABACEAE
Eriosema nutans Schinz
nutans: nodding.
Khenogwane (L); khunguswa (V)
Erect, perennial herb, up to 900 mm tall. Rootstock thick, woody; stems
hairy. Leaves stalked, with 3 leaflets, elliptic, veins prominent on lower sur-
face. Flowers small, ± 10 mm long, yellow, large upper petal curved back-
wards, with reddish veins, red-purple outside, calyx hairy; many in erect
inflorescences, on long stalks, in leaf axils on upper part of stem. Fruit an
oval pod, flat, softly hairy. General: root sometimes eaten raw.
GP, LIM and MP.
Bushveld, open grassland.
Summer–autumn.
FABACEAE
Leobordea corymbosa (E.Mey.) B.-E.van Wyk & Boatwr.
(= Lotononis corymbosa)
Leobordea: named after Léon E.S.J. Laborde (1807–1869), French poli-
tician and explorer; corymbosa: having flowers arranged in a clustered
inflorescence.
Erect perennial herb, up to 400 mm tall. Rootstock thick, woody; stems
many, branched. Leaves with 3 leaflets, elliptic, ± sharply pointed tips,
hairy, stipules leaf-like. Flowers ± 8 mm long, yellow; many, usually more
than 10, per terminal, compact cluster, surrounded by leaves. General: simi-
lar L. eriantha has larger and fewer flowers.
Grassland.
Summer.
FABACEAE
Leobordea eriantha (Benth.) B.-E.van Wyk & Boatwr.
(= Lotononis eriantha)
eriantha: with woolly flowers.
Russet lotononis (E); bogošola bjo bogolo (S)
Perennial herb, up to 200 mm tall. Rootstock woody; stems many, curving
upwards from base, hairy. Leaves with 3 leaflets, elliptic with short point at
tip, hairy, stipules resembling a small leaflet. Flowers ± 10 mm long, yellow
turning reddish brown with age, hairy; several in terminal, compact clusters.
stomach complaints.
Grassland.
Summer.
FABACEAE
FABACEAE
Leobordea lanceolata (E.Mey.) B.-E.van Wyk & Boatwr.
(= Lotononis lanceolata)
lanceolata: lance-shaped – refers to the leaves.
Perennial herb, up to 400 mm tall. Rootstock woody; stems annual, ascend-
ing, simple or slightly branched, with long, soft hairs. Leaves with 3 leaf-
lets, narrowly lance-shaped with short point at tip, stipules leaf-like. Flowers
± 13 mm long, yellow, calyx thinly hairy; many in terminal, compact clusters
on branches longer than 300 mm. General: rarely collected, poorly known.
Leaves turning black when dried.
Grassland.
Spring–summer.
FABACEAE
Leobordea pariflora (N.E.Br.) B.-E.van Wyk & Boatwr.
(= Lotononis pariflora)
pariflora: with paired flowers.
Trailing perennial herb, stems up to 150 mm long. Rootstock woody; stems
lying flat on the ground, slender, hairy. Leaves with 3 leaflets up to 5 mm
long, inverted egg-shaped with short point at tip, midrib sunken above,
prominent below; stipule solitary, up to 3 mm long, narrow. Flowers ± 5 mm
long, yellow, hairy, calyx tube red; few, in pairs at the tips of short branchlets.
General: at altitudes of 1 700–1 900 m.
LIM.
Mistbelt grassland, on gentle slopes.
Summer.
FABACEAE
Pearsonia aristata (Schinz) Dummer
Pearsonia: named after Harold W. Pearson (1870–1916), British-born

South African botanist and first Director of National Botanic Gardens,
Kirstenbosch; aristata: with an awn.
Frilly pea (E)
Shrublet, up to 500 mm tall. Rootstock woody; stems many, branched,
hairy. Leaves on short stalks, with 3 leaflets, elliptic, ending in a sharp
point (awn). Flowers ± 20 mm long, bright yellow turning orange, calyx
hairy, tubular with 5 lobes, 4 upper lobes in pairs, lowest the narrowest; in
lax terminal inflorescences. Fruit a flat, slightly
curved pod.
Grassland.
Spring–summer.
FABACEAE
FABACEAE
Pearsonia cajanifolia (Harv.) Polhill
P. cajanifolia subsp. cryptantha (Baker) Polhill

cajanifolia: with leaves resembling those of the genus Cajanus in the Faba-
ceae family; cryptantha: with a hidden flower.
Shrublet, up to 1 m tall. In colonies. Rootstock woody; stems several, erect,
branched, leafy. Leaves with 3 elliptic leaflets, densely silvery-hairy and
prominently net-veined below; stipules ± 10 mm long, very narrow. Flowers
± 12 mm long, yellow, calyx hairy; in terminal clusters. Fruit a flattened,
hairy pod, usually 2-seeded. General: subsp. cajanifolia thinly hairy on lower
leaf surface.
Summer.
FABACEAE
Pearsonia obovata (Schinz) Polhill
obovata: egg-shaped, with the broadest part near the tip – refers to the
leaves.
Trailing perennial herb, stems up to 200 mm long. Rootstock woody; plant
usually covered with brown hairs. Leaves on stalks, with 3 leaflets, egg-
shaped with the broadest part near the tip and narrowing at the base, tipped
with a short stiff point; stipule long, narrow. Flowers look rather like snap-
dragons, ± 15 mm long, yellow, calyx lobes slender; several in compact,
terminal inflorescences.
LIM and MP.
Grassland.
Spring–summer.
FABACEAE
Pearsonia sessilifolia (Harv.) Dummer
P. sessilifolia subsp. sessilifolia

sessilifolia: with stalkless leaves.
Silwerertjietee (A)
Slender, erect shrublet, up to 400 mm tall. Rootstock woody; stems few,
usually branching towards the top. Leaves ± stalkless, with 3 leaflets, sil-
ver-grey, hairy; stipules fall off early. Flowers ± 15 mm long, on very short
stalks, yellow turning orange-brown; several clustered near branch tips. Fruit
a pod, narrow, pointed. General: subsp. filifolia
(Bolus) Polhill and subsp. marginata (Schinz)
Polhill differ in leaf width and hairiness.
Grassland.
Spring–summer.
FABACEAE
FABACEAE
Rhynchosia monophylla Schltr.
rhynchos: beak – refers to the style; monophylla: with a single leaf.

Trailing, perennial herb, stems up to 600 mm long, thinly hairy. Rootstock
woody. Leaves widely spaced, broadly egg-shaped, simple, occasionally with
3 leaflets, veins prominent on lower surface. Flowers ± 12 mm long, upper
lobe yellow or orange veined with red, side lobes bright pinkish red, calyx
densely hairy; solitary or in few-flowered clusters, in leaf axils. Fruit an oval,
flat pod, hairy, 2-seeded. General: conspicuous after fire. For orange-flow-
ered form see p. 197.
Spring–summer.
FABACEAE
Rhynchosia nervosa Benth. ex Harv.
nervosa: nerved, veined – refers to the leaves.

Rankboontjie (A)
Trailing or climbing, perennial herb, stems up to 1.2 m long, hairy. Rootstock
woody. Leaves on short stalks, with 3 leaflets, elliptic, prominently 3-veined
from the base, venation raised and net-veined on lower surface. Flowers
± 10 mm long, upper lobe yellow or orange, veined with red, calyx hairy; in
3–7-flowered inflorescences. Fruit a pod, 20 × 8 mm, hairy.
Grassland.
Spring–summer.
FABACEAE
Rhynchosia totta (Thunb.) DC.
totta: possibly derived from ‘hottentot’, implying that it is indigenous to the

Cape.
Yellow carpet bean (E)
Slender, perennial herb, stems up to 1 m long, creeping to twining. Root-
stock tuberous. Leaves with 3 leaflets, varying in shape, stalked, stipules
lance-shaped, veins usually prominent below. Flowers small, ± 10 mm long,
yellow, on stalks; solitary or few in lax inflorescences, in leaf axils. General:
leaf structure varies greatly within the R. totta complex, a taxonomically com-
plicated group.
Grassland.
Spring–summer.
FABACEAE
FABACEAE
Rhynchosia woodii Schinz
woodii: named after John M. Wood (1827–1915), a botanist from KwaZulu-

Natal.
Robust shrublet, up to 400 mm tall. Stems several, erect, with longitudi-
nal lines, hairy, densely leafy. Leaves on very short stalks, with 3 leaflets,
egg-shaped, 3-veined from base, lower surface hairy and veins prominent.
Flowers ± 12 mm long, yellow and orange; several in clusters, in leaf axils
along the stems. Fruit a hairy pod, broadly elliptic, ± 20 mm long. General:
easily recognised.
KZN, LIM and MP.
Spring–summer.
FABACEAE
*Senna septemtrionalis (Viv.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby
Senna: from the Arabic name sena for a species of this genus; septemtri-
onalis: northern.
Yellow shower, arsenic bush (E)
Perennial shrub, up to 2 m tall. Leaves bright green, paler below, leaflets
usually in 3 or 4 pairs, elliptic, with pointed tips. Flowers yellow; several
in clusters, in leaf axils. Fruit a cylindrical pod, green turning brown, up to
± 100 mm long, inflated. General: ornamental plant introduced from Central
America.
Invades disturbed areas, forest margins, river-
banks.
Spring–summer.
FABACEAE
Smithia erubescens (E.Mey.) Baker f.
Smithia: named after James E. Smith (1759–1828), British botanist and

physician; erubescens: turning red.
Much-branched shrub, up to 1 m tall. Branches red-brown. Leaves with up
to 12 pairs of leaflets, midrib of leaflets hairy below; stipules conspicuous,
shoe-shaped. Flowers ± 12 mm long, yellow, large upper petal red-veined
on the outside and visible in buds, calyx 2-lipped; many in short, dense
clusters, on long stalks, in leaf axils. Fruit a jointed pod, enclosed within
increasing calyx. General: often growing in water.
Grassland, stream banks.
Summer.
FABACEAE
FABACEAE
Tylosema fassoglense (Schweinf.) Torre & Hillc.
tylos: lump, sema: mark – U-shaped mark on the large seeds; fassoglense:
from Fazoghli in the Sudan where it was first collected.
Creeping bauhinia (E); maramaboontjie (A); mothema (S)
Robust, trailing shrublet, stems up to 6 m long. Underground tuber huge,
woody; plant rusty-hairy. Leaves large, shallowly bilobed, on long stalks;
tendrils present. Flowers ± 60 mm in diameter, lemon-yellow, petals crin-
kly, upper one much smaller than the other 4; inflorescences in leaf axils.
Fruit a pod, flat, woody. General: beans edible. Traditionally used to put on
weight. Occasionally found in grassland.
Bushveld.
Summer.
FABACEAE
Zornia capensis Pers.
Zornia: named after Johannes Zorn (1739–1799), German pharmacist and

botanist; capensis: from the Cape Peninsula.
Caterpillar bean (E)
Low-growing, slender, perennial herb, stems up to 500 mm long, wiry. Root-
stock woody. Leaves with 4 leaflets, elliptic, dotted with glands on lower
surface, stalked, stipules lance-shaped. Flowers ± 8 mm long, yellow, upper
lobe often yellow veined with red, between 2 large bracts; solitary or a few
in widely spaced inflorescences, terminal or in leaf axils. Fruit a pod with 4
or 5 segments.
Grassland.
Spring–summer.
GENTIANACEAE
Sebaea bojeri Griseb.
Sebaea: named after Albert Seba (1665–1736), Dutch naturalist; bojeri:

named after Wenceslas Bojer (1795–1856), Czech horticulturist and
botanist.
Slender, annual herb, up to 200 mm tall. Stems erect, simple or branched
at inflorescence. Leaves stalkless, lance-shaped, in 2 or 3 distant pairs, the
lower ones reduced, scale-like. Flowers ± 15 mm in diameter, tubular, with
5 spreading lobes, yellow, calyx segments winged, bracts leaf-like, opening in
the morning, closing at midday; few in lax, terminal inflorescence. General:
distribution into tropical eastern Africa.
Grassland.
Summer–autumn.
FABACEAE
GENTIANACEAE
Sebaea cf. erosa Schinz
erosa: eroded, appearing as if nibbled – refers to the flower lobes.

Erect, annual or biennial herb, up to 150 mm tall. Stems slender, simple or
much branched from the base. Leaves stalkless, egg-shaped, up to 10 mm
long, opposite, widely spaced. Flowers relatively small, ± 8 mm in diame-
ter, tubular, with 5 spreading lobes, margins entire or toothed, yellow, calyx
segments very narrowly winged, bracts lance-shaped, on long, slender stalks;
few in lax, branched inflorescences.
Grassland, marshy areas.
Summer–autumn.
GENTIANACEAE
Sebaea rehmannii Schinz

Annual or biennial herb, up to 500 mm tall. Stems 4-angled, simple or
branched. Leaves up to 18 mm long and equally broad, ± stalkless, oppo-
site, widely spaced. Flowers ± 12 mm in diameter, tube 5–10 mm long,
with 5 spreading lobes, yellow; calyx of 5 segments, up to 9 mm long,
winged; bracts sharply pointed; clustered in terminal inflorescences with
long, erect branches.
Mountain grassland.
Summer–autumn.
GENTIANACEAE
Sebaea sedoides Gilg
S. sedoides var. sedoides

sedoides: resembling the genus Sedum in the Crassulaceae family.
Perennial herb, up to 600 mm tall. Rootstock woody; stems erect or as-
cending, 4-angled, branched. Leaves oval to round, up to 25 mm long,
upper leaves generally smaller and further apart. Flowers small, ± 10 mm
in diameter, tubular, with 5 spreading lobes, yellow or rarely white, calyx
segments very narrowly winged, bracts numerous, erect; many in dense,
terminal inflorescences. General: var. confertiflora (Schinz) Marais differs
slightly in its flower characters.
Grassland.
Summer–autumn.
GENTIANACEAE
HYPERICACEAE
Hypericum aethiopicum Thunb.
H. aethiopicum subsp. sonderi (Bredell) N.Robson

Hypericum: Latin name for St John’s Wort; aethiopicum: Ethiopian; son-
deri: named after Otto W. Sonder (1812–1881), German botanist.
Small St John’s wort (E); vlieëpisbossie (A); leilane (S)
Perennial herb, up to 300 mm tall. Rootstock woody; stems ± erect, mostly
unbranched. Stems, leaves, and petals with dark gland dots. Leaves egg-
shaped, stalkless, opposite. Flowers ± 20 mm in diameter, yellow, calyx
lobes reddish brown; buds reddish; stamens numerous; several in terminal
inflorescences. General: used for magical pur-
poses. Conspicuous after fire.
Grassland.
Spring–summer.
HYPERICACEAE
Hypericum lalandii Choisy
lalandii: named after Pierre A. Delalande (1787–1823), French naturalist.

Spindly St John’s wort (E); Laland-se-Sint Janskruid (A)
Erect, perennial herb, up to 400 mm tall. Rootstock woody; stems slender,
4-angled. Leaves ascending, stalkless, base clasping, shape and size varia-
ble, gland dots minute, inconspicuous. Flowers ± 20 mm in diameter, pale
yellow or pale orange, without dark dots; stamens numerous; solitary or
several in terminal clusters. General: widely distributed in Africa.
Damp grassland, marshy areas, in or near
water.
Spring–summer.
HYPERICACEAE
Hypericum revolutum Vahl
revolutum: rolled back or under – refers to the leaf margins.

Curry bush (E); kerriebos (A); mokhwibitsana (S); mudyanongo (V)
Bushy shrub, up to 2 m tall. Leaves opposite, alternate pairs at right an-
gles to each other, stalkless, narrowly elliptic, margins rolled under. Flowers
showy, ± 50 mm in diameter, 5 spreading petals, yellow, stamens many,
styles 5, red, united except for the top; solitary, at tips of branches. General:
contains substances of medicinal value. Plant smells like curry. Attractive
garden plant.
Forest margins, stream banks above altitudes
of 1 000 m.
HYPERICACEAE
HYPOXIDACEAE
Empodium elongatum (Nel) B.L.Burtt
em-: within, pous: foot – refers to the underground ovary; elongatum: elon-
gated – refers to the long extension of the ovary.
Autumn star (E); ploegtydblommetjie (A)
Perennial herb, up to 200 mm tall. Rootstock a corm. Leaves several, narrow,
up to 400 mm long, well developed at flowering. Flowers ± 35 mm in diam-
eter, star-shaped with an elongated, solid tube, bright yellow, stamens erect,
held close together; solitary on a short stalk hidden in the leaf sheaths, 2–6
per plant. Fruit a capsule. General: found at altitudes of 1 500–2 500 m.
Summer.
HYPOXIDACEAE
Hypoxis angustifolia Lam.
H. angustifolia var. angustifolia

hypoxis: a classical Greek plant name; angustifolia: with narrow leaves.
Slender, perennial herb, up to 200 mm tall. Rhizome vertical, slow-grow-
ing, up to 20 mm in diameter, white inside. Leaves few, forming a whitish,
elongated false stem at base, ± erect, grass-like, sparsely hairy, 3-ranked in
younger plants. Flowers ± 20 mm in diameter, bright yellow inside, greenish
and thinly hairy outside, stalks slender, weak; few in lax inflorescences, 1–4
per plant, shorter than or as tall as leaves. Fruit a capsule, thinly hairy.
Grassland.
Spring–summer.
HYPOXIDACEAE
Hypoxis filiformis Baker
filiformis: thread-like – refers to the leaves.

Grass star-flower (E)
Slender, perennial herb, up to 300 mm tall. Solitary. Rhizome vertical, white
inside; plant thinly hairy. Leaves few, erect, rigid, thread-like, up to 3 mm
broad, U-shaped in cross section. Flowers ± 20 mm in diameter, yellow,
stalk wiry, stiff, as tall as or shorter than leaves; mostly in 2-flowered inflo-
rescences, one flower above the other, 1–5 per plant, produced with leaves
and consecutively in the growing season.
Grassland.
Spring–summer.
HYPOXIDACEAE
HYPOXIDACEAE
Hypoxis galpinii Baker

Perennial herb, up to 400 mm tall. Leaves narrowly lance-shaped, veins
near margin raised on upper surface, sparsely hairy, margins and midrib
fringed with hairs; clasping at base to form a thick, short false stem. Flow-
ers ± 25 mm in diameter, yellow inside, green and hairy outside; many in
erect, densely hairy inflorescences, 2–7 per plant, appearing with leaves.
General: range extends from southern to tropical Africa.
Grassland.
Spring–summer.
HYPOXIDACEAE
Hypoxis hemerocallidea Fisch., C.A.Mey. & Avé-Lall.
hemerocallidea: resembling the genus Hemerocallis, the day lily.

African potato (E); sterblom (A); sesogadi, thithikwane (S)
Robust, perennial herb, up to 350 mm tall. Rhizome large, yellow inside.
Leaves rather broad, lance-shaped, arching outwards, in 3 ranks, hairy.
Flowers ± 35 mm in diameter, yellow, closing at midday; in hairy inflo-
rescences, several per plant, slender, appearing with leaves. General: used
in traditional medicine to treat gonorrhoea, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis. Extracts
used in prostate and immune-boosting preparations.
Spring–summer.
HYPOXIDACEAE
Hypoxis iridifolia Baker
(= Hypoxis obtusa)
iridifolia: with Iris-like leaves.
Robust, perennial herb, up to 350 mm tall. Leaves erect to arching, spirally
twisting towards tip with age, veins closely spaced, raised on upper surface,
hairless except white hairs along margins and midrib below, not distinctly
3-ranked. Flowers ± 25 mm in diameter, yellow inside, green and hairy out-
side; many in erect, densely hairy inflorescences, 2–5 per plant, appearing
with leaves. General: distinguished from similar H. hemerocallidea by its
leaf characters. Used in traditional medicine to
treat burns.
Grassland.
Spring–summer.
HYPOXIDACEAE
HYPOXIDACEAE
Hypoxis multiceps Buchinger ex Baker
multiceps: bearing many heads.

Winter star-flower (E)
Robust, perennial herb, up to 150 mm tall. Rhizome up to 50 mm long,
topped with bristles, yellow inside. Often in colonies. Leaves ± erect, lance-
shaped, conspicuously and closely ribbed, roughly hairy. Flowers ± 20 mm
in diameter, yellow, stalks thick, short, hairy; 2–4 in ± opposite pairs in
inflorescences, 2–6 per plant, usually overtopping emerging leaves. General:
leaves continue to grow when flowering is over.
Grassland.
Spring.
HYPOXIDACEAE
Hypoxis rigidula Baker
rigidula: somewhat rigid.

Farmer’s string, silver-leaved star-flower (E)
Slender, perennial herb, up to 900 mm tall. Rhizome round, yellow inside.
Leaves very long, narrow, erect, strongly ribbed, hairy, forming a rigid, elon-
gated false stem at base. Flowers ± 30 mm in diameter, yellow inside, green
and hairy outside; in erect, hairy inflorescences, 2–5 per plant, appearing
with leaves, overtopped by mature leaves. General: leaves used to make a
strong, lasting rope.
Grassland.
Spring–summer.
IRIDACEAE
Gladiolus dalenii Van Geel
gladiolus: small sword – refers to the leaf shape; dalenii: named after Cor-
nelius Dalen (1766–1852), Dutch botanist and physician.
African gladiolus (E); papegaaigladiolus, wildeswaardlelie (A)
Robust, cormous herb, up to 1.5 m tall. Leaves in a fan, ± half as long as
inflorescence, narrow, erect. Flowers hooded, tube ± 40 mm long, various-
ly coloured, orange-red to greenish yellow, finely speckled or plain, bracts
large; in few- to many-flowered, terminal inflorescence. General: cultivars
developed in the 1900s grown as cut flowers worldwide. For orange-flowered
form see p. 200.
Grassland, rocky ridges, vleis.
Summer.
HYPOXIDACEAE
IRIDACEAE
Moraea moggii N.E.Br.
M. moggii subsp. moggii

moggii: named after Albert O.D. Mogg (1886–1980), South African bot-
anist.
Slender, erect herb, up to 700 mm tall. Solitary. Corm covered with fibres;
stem unbranched. Leaf solitary, greyish green, narrow, much longer than
flowering stem. Flowers iris-like, large, ± 60 mm in diameter, yellow, outer
lobes spreading with dark yellow nectar guides edged with purple-brown
veins, inner lobes shorter, erect; open for 3
days; few in terminal cluster.
LIM and MP.
Open grassland, in well-drained sites.
Summer–autumn.
IRIDACEAE
Moraea muddii N.E.Br.
muddii: named after Christopher Mudd (1852–1920), English plant collec-

tor, who travelled across the former Transvaal in 1877.
Kgarikgari (S)
Perennial herb, up to 350 mm tall. Solitary. Corm small; flowering stem erect,
unbranched. Leaf solitary, basal, usually longer than stem, narrow, chan-
nelled, leaf-like bracts large, sheathing stem. Flowers iris-like, ± 60 mm in
diameter, cream to pale yellow with deeper yellow nectar guides on outer
lobes, inner lobes shorter, erect; few in terminal cluster. General: usually at
altitudes above 2 000 m.
Open grassland, in peaty or stony ground.
Spring.
LENTIBULARIACEAE
Utricularia prehensilis E.Mey.
utriculus: little bottle – refers to the insectivorous leaf-sacs; prehensilis:

seizing, taking hold.
Yellow bladderwort (E); blaaskruid (A)
Delicate, annual herb, up to 200 mm tall. In colonies. Leaves numerous,
usually decayed at flowering, narrow, tapering to stalk; minute bladder-like
traps scattered on leaves, capturing and digesting tiny organisms such as
insect larvae. Flowers resemble miniature snapdragons, ± 15 mm long,
yellow; 1–6 widely spaced on wiry, erect or twining stalk. General: used for
magical purposes.
Marshes and swamps, often in shallow water.
IRIDACEAE
LINACEAE
Linum thunbergii Eckl. & Zeyh.
linon: flax; thunbergii: named after Carl P. Thunberg (1743–1828), Swed-

ish botanist and physician, student of Linnaeus.
Wild flax (E); wildevlas (A)
Slender, perennial herb, up to 500 mm tall. Stems erect, unbranched for
most of their length. Leaves variable in shape, broadly elliptic to long and
narrow, tips pointed, stalkless, gland-like brown stipules near base. Flowers
short-lived, ± 15 mm in diameter, petals 5, yellow, buds with a reddish
tinge; many in lax, branched, terminal inflorescence. Fruit a capsule.
Summer.
MALPIGHIACEAE
Sphedamnocarpus pruriens (A.Juss.) Szyszyl.
S. pruriens subsp. pruriens

sphendamnos: Greek name for maple, karpos: fruit – refers to the resem-
blance to maple of the winged fruits; pruriens: causing itching.
Canary nettle (E); tsibi ekhi mahapi (L)
Slender climber, stems up to 2 m long, twining, ± woody. Leaves oppo-
site, stalked, hairy on both surfaces. Flowers ± 20 mm in diameter, petals
crumpled, paddle-shaped, pale yellow; few in clusters in leaf axils. Fruit
3-winged, with brown hairs causing irritation. General: subsp. galphimiifo-
lius (A.Juss.) P.D.de Villiers & D.J.Botha with
± hairless leaves.
Open bush, bushveld.
Summer.
MALVACEAE
Hermannia burkei Burtt Davy
Hermannia: named after Paul Hermann (1646–1695), German botanist,

one of the first collectors at the Cape; burkei: named after Joseph Burke
(1812–1873), British botanist who collected plants in the former Trans-
vaal.
Sprawling, yellowish green perennial herb, stems up to 800 mm long, much-
branched, hairy, lying on the ground to ± erect. Rootstock large, woody.
Leaves hairy on both surfaces, on long stalks; stipules egg-shaped, toothed.
Flowers bell-shaped, ± 12 mm in diameter, nodding, pale yellow to orange;
clustered towards branch tips.
Bushveld, rocky or disturbed sites.
LINACEAE
MALVACEAE
Hermannia lancifolia Szyszyl.
lancifolia: with lance-shaped leaves.

Small, erect, perennial herb, up to 150 mm tall. Forming dense patches.
Rootstock woody. Leaves elongated, with leaf-like stipules, grey-green, lower
surface greyish, upper darker, margins finely toothed in upper half. Flowers
bell-shaped, ± 12 mm in diameter, 5-lobed, yellow, on long stalks, nod-
ding; inflorescences usually bearing 2 flowers, in leaf axils. Fruit a capsule.
General: southern African endemic.
Grassland, rocky or disturbed sites.
Spring–summer.
MALVACEAE
Hermannia waterbergensis Gwynn. & Kremer-Köhne sp. nov.

waterbergensis: from the Waterberg, Limpopo Province.
Trailing shrublet, up to 300 mm tall. Forming mats up to 1 m across. Rough-
ly hairy throughout. Leaves narrow, mid-vein conspicuous and prominent
below, margins shallowly toothed in upper part, on short stalks, stipules
triangular, ± 7 mm long. Flowers bell-shaped, ± 12 mm in diameter, pale
yellow, nodding, stalks ± 10 mm long; in 1- or 2-flowered inflorescences, in
upper leaf axils. General: currently known only from the Waterberg.
LIM.
Rocky grassland.
Summer.
MALVACEAE
Hibiscus lunariifolius Willd.
hibiskos: Greek name for this genus; lunaris: crescent-shaped, folius:

-leaved.
Wild hibiscus (E); bogopa (S)
Robust, erect herb, up to 1 m tall. Stems densely hairy, sparsely branched.
Leaves hairy, rounded, with 3 shallow lobes, margins toothed, base heart-
shaped, on long stalks. Flowers somewhat nodding, petals do not spread
wide open, large, ± 50 mm in diameter, yellow, in terminal inflorescences.
General: plant covered with highly irritant hairs. Used in traditional medicine
to treat stomach complaints in children.
GP, LIM, MP and NW.
Hillsides, rocky places.
Summer.
MALVACEAE
MALVACEAE
Melhania prostrata DC.
Melhania: from Mount Melhan in Arabia where one of the species occurs;
prostrata: lying flat on the ground.
Shrublet, up to 600 mm tall. Rootstock woody; stems lying on the ground
to ± erect, thinly hairy. Leaves narrowly lance-shaped with short, stiff tip;
blade folded upward along the midrib, grey-velvety below with minute red-
dish brown dots (clusters of hairs), stipules awl-shaped. Flowers ± 30 mm
in diameter, 5-lobed, stamens 5, style with 5 branches, yellow, open in the
afternoon; solitary or in pairs in upper leaf axils.
Grassland, bushveld, rocky slopes, sandy flats.
Summer.
MALVACEAE
Triumfetta pilosa Roth
Triumfetta: named after Giovanni B. Trionfetti (1658–1708), Italian bota-

nist; pilosa: hairy.
Erect shrublet, up to 1.3 m tall. Stems hairy, reddish. Leaves hairy, lance-
shaped, margins toothed, on stalks, dull green above, paler below, alternate.
Flowers ± 17 mm in diameter, lobes narrow, yellow, open in the afternoon;
in clusters at the nodes, in leafy, terminal inflorescences. Fruit a capsule
with prickles, burr-like, ± 10 mm in diameter, turning black. General: fruit
dispersed by animals.
Open bushveld, disturbed areas.
Summer–autumn.
MALVACEAE
Triumfetta welwitschii Mast.
T. welwitschii var. hirsuta (Sprague & Hutch.) Wild

botanist and medical doctor; hirsuta: hairy.
Perennial herb, up to 450 mm tall. Rootstock woody. Leaves narrowly lance-
shaped, margins shallowly toothed; develop after flowers, purely leafy shoots
appear later in the season. Flowers ± 10 mm in diameter, yellow; in terminal
clusters, elongating in fruit. Fruit a fluffy ball of hairy bristles, yellow-reddish,
± 15 mm in diameter. General: var. welwitschii differs in the type of hairs
on young leaves. Conspicuous after fire. Used
traditionally to treat HIV/AIDS.
KZN, LIM and MP.
Spring–summer.
MALVACEAE
ONAGRACEAE
*Oenothera cf. glazioviana Micheli
oinos: wine, thera: imbibing; glazioviana: named after Auguste F.M. Glaziou
(1828–1906), French landscape designer and botanist.
Large-flowered evening primrose (E)
Biennial herb, up to 1.5 m tall. Stem erect, unbranched. Leaves mostly
basal, lance-shaped to elliptic, margins with shallow teeth. Flowers showy,
± 60 mm in diameter, bright yellow, opening at sunset and closing by noon
the next day, fragrant at night; in axils of upper leaves. General: visited by
moths. Popular ornamental. Possibly a European hybrid of two North Amer-
ican species.
Invades roadsides, disturbed areas, river-
banks.
Summer.
ORCHIDACEAE
Eulophia angolensis (Rchb.f.) Summerh.
eu: well, lophos: crest – refers to the crested lip; angolensis: from Angola.
Vlei orchid (E); vlei-orgidee (A); khethahame (L)
Robust, perennial herb, up to 1.5 m tall. In colonies. Leaves on a separate
shoot, pleated, stiff, erect, fully developed at flowering. Flowers bright yellow,
outer lobes ± 25 mm long, narrow, erect, rabbit ear-like, lip 3-lobed, bearing
crests, lip side lobes veined greenish or purplish, petals curving over the lip,
spur short; scented; in many-flowered, lax inflorescence.
Swampy open grassland.
Summer.
ORCHIDACEAE
Eulophia inaequalis Schltr.
(= E. clavicornis var. inaequalis)

inaequalis: unequal.
Slender, perennial herb, up to 300 mm tall. Leaves on a separate shoot,
partly developed at flowering. Flowers ± 20 mm across, outer lobes with
outer surface reddish brown, inner surface greenish yellow, petals and lip
bright yellow, lip 3-lobed, bearing crests, spur prominent and reddish; wide-
ly spaced in erect, 5–15-flowered inflorescence. General: self-pollinating.
While regarded as species here, this is currently treated as E. hians var.
inaequalis (Schltr.) S.Thomas.
Grassland.
Spring.
ONAGRACEAE
ORCHIDACEAE
Eulophia parviflora (Lindl.) A.V.Hall

Fairly robust, perennial herb, up to 400 mm tall. Sometimes in clumps.
Leaves just emerging at flowering, leathery. Flowers facing downwards (see
image) or upwards, outer lobes ± 12 mm long, brownish on both surfac-
es, petals yellow, veins red-brown inside, lip midlobe bright yellow, bearing
crests, side lobes tinged with purple, spur present, fragrant; in a 5–30-flow-
ered inflorescence. General: short- and long-spurred forms distinguished that
have different pollinators.
Grassland.
Spring.
ORCHIDACEAE
Eulophia streptopetala Lindl.
streptos: twisted, petala: petals – refers to petals that are ‘twisted’ forward
and horizontally.
Robust, perennial herb, up to 1.5 m tall. Leaves partly to fully developed
at flowering, pleated. Flowers outer lobes spreading, ± 15 mm long, green
mottled with dark purplish brown; petals bright yellow, lip midlobe and
crests yellow; spur very short, ± 2 mm long; in 4–35-flowered, lax inflores-
cence. General: pollinated by leafcutter bees. Usually near bushes, trees or
large herbs, never in open grassland.
Bushveld, margins of forests and plantations,
in bush clumps.
Spring–summer.
ORCHIDACEAE
Orthochilus ensatus (Lindl.) Bytebier
(= Eulophia ensata)
ortho-: upright, straight, cheilos: lip; ensatus: sword-shaped – refers to the
narrow, sharply pointed leaves.
Slender, perennial herb, up to 800 mm tall. Leaves ± fully developed at flow-
ering, often longer than flowering stem, stiffly erect, pleated, on a separate
shoot. Flowers ± 20 mm across, pale to bright yellow, not opening widely,
appear ‘flattened’, petals slightly shorter than outer lobes, lip 3-lobed, bear-
ing crests, spur slender, ± 5 mm long; 6–30 in a dense terminal cluster.
General: pollinated by scarab beetles.
Open grassland, grassy places in bushveld.
Summer.
ORCHIDACEAE
ORCHIDACEAE
Schizochilus zeyheri Sond.
schizo: split-, cheilos: lip; zeyheri: named after Carl L.P. Zeyher (1799–
Slender, perennial herb, up to 500 mm tall. Leaves basal and on stem, de-
creasing in size upwards, mostly sheathing the stem. Flowers small, bright
yellow, lip deeply 3-lobed, central lip lobe longer than side lobes, spur cy-
lindrical, straight; many in terminal, nodding inflorescence, up to 100 mm
long. General: often grows in tussocks of grass and sedge on rock sheets
with running water.
Wet grassland.
Summer.
OROBANCHACEAE
Alectra capensis Thunb.
alektor: a cock; resembles a cock’s comb; capensis: from the Cape Pen-
insula.
Annual herb, up to 300 mm tall. Parasitic on roots of grasses and other
plants. Stems erect, rigid, seldom branched, roughly hairy. Leaves oval,
overlapping, stalkless, margins entire. Flowers tubular, up to 25 mm long,
5-lobed, yellow or orange with brownish veins; style longer than stamens; in
upper leaf axils, inflorescence short, dense. Fruit a capsule, included within
calyx. General: turning dark in drying.
Summer.
OROBANCHACEAE
Alectra sessiliflora (Vahl) Kuntze
sessiliflora: with stalkless flowers.

Verfblommetjie (A)
Erect, parasitic herb, up to 300 mm tall. Underground parts orange; stem
simple or sparingly branched, purplish, hairy. Leaves lance-shaped, margins
irregularly toothed, spreading. Flowers tubular, ± 15 mm long, snapdrag-
on-like, yellow, just protruding from the calyx; solitary in axils of leaf-like
bracts with prominent teeth, in terminal inflorescence. General: the com-
mon name verfblommetjie refers to the orange-yellow dye obtained from
the rootstock.
Damp grassland, mountainsides.
Summer–autumn.
ORCHIDACEAE
OROBANCHACEAE
Melasma scabrum P.J.Bergius
M. scabrum var. scabrum

melas: black, plants turn black on drying; scabrum: rough.
Erect, perennial herb, up to 600 mm tall. Roughly hairy throughout. Leaves

opposite, lance-shaped, stalkless. Flowers ± 30 mm in diameter, tubular, 5
rounded lobes, veined, pale yellow or white with a reddish purple centre, on
long stalk, leaf-like bracts below stalk and 2 smaller, narrow bracts ± half-
way up; calyx large, ribbed, inflated in fruit; solitary. General: this is the only
Melasma species in southern Africa.
Grassland, stream banks, marshes.
Summer.
OROBANCHACEAE
Striga elegans Benth.
striga: swathe or furrow, allusion unclear; elegans: graceful.

Elegant witchweed (E); groot mielierooiblom (A)
Slender, erect herb, up to 300 mm tall. Parasitic on grasses; plant roughly
hairy. Leaves stiff, erect, narrow, opposite. Flowers ± 17 mm long, tubular,
2-lipped, upper lip bent backwards, lower lip 3-lobed, slightly longer than
upper, spreading, yellow or red with yellow in the throat; solitary in axils of
bracts, in close-set, terminal inflorescence. General: for red-flowered form
see p. 209.
Grassland.
Summer–autumn.
OXALIDACEAE
*Oxalis corniculata L.
oxys: acid, als: salt – refers to the oxalic acid content; corniculata: curved
in the form of a horn.
Creeping sorrel (E); tuinsuring (A); moogwani (L)
Creeping, much-branched herb, up to 100 mm tall. Stems lying on the
ground, hairy, rooting at nodes. Leaves on slender stalks, with 3 heart-
shaped leaflets. Flowers ± 7 mm in diameter, 5-lobed, yellow; clustered on
long, erect stalks. General: flowers and leaves edible. Troublesome weed.
Indigenous to Europe.
Disturbed places, roadsides, gardens.
Spring–autumn.
OROBANCHACEAE
PASSIFLORACEAE
Adenia digitata (Harv.) Engl.
aden: gland – refers to glands on the leaf stalk; digitata: fingered, hand-like.
Wild granadilla (E); bobbejaangif (A); makgopo (S); dundu (V)
Perennial climber, stems up to 2 m long. Tuber fleshy. Leaves variable,
stalked; variously lobed, greyish green below. Flowers tubular, ± 15 mm
long, cream-coloured to greenish; male and female on different plants, in
clusters, ending in a tendril; in leaf axils. Fruit hanging, egg-shaped, red to
magenta. General: leaves cooked as spinach; fruit poisonous to humans. For
red fruit see p. 210.
Rocky and grassy places, bushveld.
Spring–summer.
RANUNCULACEAE
Ranunculus multifidus Forssk.
ranunculus: diminutive of rana, a frog – refers to the damp habitat; multif-

idus: divided into many segments – refers to the leaves.
Wild buttercup (E); botterblom, kankerblare (A)
Perennial herb, up to 1 m tall. Hairy throughout. Leaves bright green, partly
basal, stalked, deeply divided, margins irregularly toothed. Flowers small,
± 15 mm in diameter, glossy yellow, with numerous stamens and a dome-
shaped structure in the centre; on a long, branched, mostly leafless, hollow
flowering stem.
Forest, river and stream banks, vleis.
Spring–summer.
ROSACEAE
*Agrimonia procera Wallr.
argemone: from the Greek, probably a plant of the genus Papaver; procera:
very tall.
Agrimony (E); akkermonie, geelklits (A)
Erect, perennial herb, up to 1 m tall. Rootstock woody; stem densely hairy.
Leaves alternate, with 4 or 5 pairs of toothed, elliptic leaflets. Flowers
± 12 mm in diameter, yellow; in narrow terminal inflorescences, up to
400 mm long. Fruit small, bristly, dispersed by people and animals. Gener-
al: indigenous to Europe.
Invades grasslands, stream banks, disturbed
places.
Summer–autumn.
PASSIFLORACEAE
RUBIACEAE
Fadogia homblei De Wild.
Fadogia: from Fadoga in the Sudan; homblei: named after Henri A. Homblé
(1883–1921), Belgian botanist who collected in Africa.
Wild date (E); bosluisbessie, wildedadel (A)
Perennial shrublet, up to 400 mm tall. Rootstock woody; stems many, erect,
unbranched. Leaves stalkless, lance-shaped, in whorls of 3–5, green above,
greyish white below. Flowers ± 15 mm in diameter, tubular, lobes 5, often
curled back, yellowish green, stamens and style protruding; clustered in leaf
axils. Fruit a berry, shiny, black; edible.
GP, LIM, MP and NW.
Grassland, margins of tree clumps and bush-
veld.
Spring–summer.
THYMELAEACEAE
Gnidia nodiflora Meisn.
Gnidia: ancient Greek term for a species of Daphne in the Thymelaeaceae

family; nodiflora: flowering at the nodes.
Branched shrublet, up to 300 mm tall. Stems erect, densely hairy and leafy
in upper part. Leaves narrow, sharp-pointed, densely hairy, erect, overlap-
ping. Flowers small, pale yellow or cream-coloured, calyx tube ± 5 mm long,
silky outside, inflated below, petal-like appendages in throat of calyx tube 8,
shorter than calyx lobes, very narrow; few in stalkless clusters, in leaf axils
and at tips of branches.
Grassland.
Spring–summer.
THYMELAEACEAE
Lasiosiphon caffer Meisn.
(= Gnidia caffra)
lasios: shaggy, siphon: tube; caffer: from Caffraria, an old name for the
Eastern Cape.
Gifbossie (A); nkekologe (S)
Multi-stemmed, rounded shrublet, up to 500 mm tall. Rootstock large,
woody; stems erect. Leaves narrowly lance-shaped, sharply pointed, sparse-
ly hairy. alternate. Flowers ± 10 mm in diameter, shiny, lemon-yellow, calyx
tube slender, 5-lobed, petal-like scales in throat of calyx tube tiny; in terminal
inflorescences. General: conspicuous after fire.
Used in traditional medicine to treat asthma.
Grassland.
Spring–summer.
RUBIACEAE
THYMELAEACEAE
Lasiosiphon canoargenteus C.H.Wright
(= Gnidia canoargentea)
canus: greyish white, argenteus: silvery – refers to the leaves.
Highveld silver yellow-head, Transvaal silver and gold (E)
Much-branched shrublet up to 400 mm tall. Branches reddish, nude be-
low, becoming densely leafy towards the tip. Leaves lance-shaped, point-
ed, silvery-hairy. Flowers glossy yellow, turning brownish with age, calyx
tube ± 7 mm long, 5 petal-like appendages in throat of calyx tube; several
in stalkless, terminal clusters, surrounded by
bracts broader than the leaves. General: south-
ern African endemic.
Grassland.
Autumn–winter.
THYMELAEACEAE
Lasiosiphon kraussianus (Meisn.) Meisn.
(= Gnidia kraussiana)
kraussianus: named after Christian F.F. von Krauss (1812–1890), German
scientist and plant collector in South Africa.
Lesser yellow-head (E); gifbossie (A); bogošola bjo bogolo (S)
Perennial herb, up to 500 mm tall. Underground tuber large, woody; stems
several, erect, hairy, reddish. Leaves grey to yellow-green, lance-shaped, tips
pointed, alternate. Flowers yellow, calyx tube 5-lobed with 5 petal-like ap-
pendages in the throat; sweetly scented; in distinctly stalked, terminal clus-
ters, ± 40 mm in diameter. General: poisonous
to stock. Traditionally used to treat stomach
complaints.
Open grassland.
THYMELAEACEAE
Lasiosiphon microcephalus (Meisn.) J.C.Manning & Magee
(= Gnidia microcephala)
microcephalus: small-headed.
Besembossie (A)
Perennial herb, up to 300 mm tall. Rootstock woody; stems many, erect,
slender, branched in upper part. Leaves erect, long, narrowly lance-shaped,
pointed, stalkless. Flowers small, yellow to orange, calyx tube long, 4 petal-
like scales in throat of calyx tube, fleshy, club-shaped; several in terminal
clusters ± 15 mm in diameter, surrounded by
overlapping, brown bracts.
Grassland.
Spring–summer.
THYMELAEACEAE
THYMELAEACEAE
Lasiosiphon polyanthus (Gilg) C.H.Wright
L. polyanthus var. microcalyx Burtt Davy (= Gnidia polyantha)

polyanthus: many-flowered; microcalyx: with small calyx.
Escarpment silver yellow-head (E); sesepitšana, nkekologe (S)
Slender shrublet, up to 600 mm tall. Stems hairy, bark reddish, leafy in up-
per parts. Leaves lance-shaped, both surfaces densely hairy, fringe of hairs
along margins. Flowers ± 12 mm in diameter, trumpet-shaped; calyx tube
hairy outside, 5 yellow lobes, 5 petal-like appendages in throat; in terminal
clusters. General: used in traditional medicine
to treat cancer.
LIM and MP.
Winter–summer.
XYRIDACEAE
Xyris congensis Büttner
xyron: razor – refers to a plant with sharpened leaves; congensis: from the
Congo.
Tufted, perennial herb, up to 850 mm tall. Rootstock hard, covered with
persistent, brown leaf bases. Leaves basal, clustered, stiff, long and narrow.
Flowers ± 10 mm in diameter, with 3 spreading, very delicate yellow lobes,
bracts shiny chestnut-brown, overlapping; in a roundish inflorescence on a
long, wiry stalk, erect, overtopping leaves.
Along streams.
Summer.
THYMELAEACEAE
Orange/red/pink
ACANTHACEAE
Crossandra greenstockii S.Moore
krossos: fringe, andros: male – refers to the fringed anthers; greenstockii:

named after William Greenstock (d. 1912), British clergyman and plant
collector.
Bushveld crossandra (E); rooiblom (A)
Perennial herb, up to 300 mm tall. Rootstock woody; stem erect, unbranched.
Leaves mostly in a basal cluster, blunt tipped, narrowing to stalk-like base,
hairy. Flowers ± 25 mm in diameter, 1-lipped with a 5-lobed upper edge,
orange-red or yellow; bracts conspicuous, overlapping, hairy, margins spiny;
in a dense, terminal inflorescence.
Spring–summer.
ALLIACEAE
Tulbaghia acutiloba Harv.
Tulbaghia: named after Ryk Tulbagh (1699–1771), Dutch Governor of the

Cape; acutiloba: with sharply pointed lobes.
Wild garlic (E); wildeknoffel (A)
Slender, erect, perennial herb, up to 200 mm tall. Rootstock short, fleshy,
bulb-like. Leaves basal, grass-like, often produced after flowering. Flowers
± 8 × 4 mm, tubular, lobes narrow, conspicuously recurved, greenish pur-
ple; fleshy collar at the mouth orange to reddish brown; sweetly scented;
several in a terminal cluster. General: all plant parts smell of garlic when
bruised, culinary herb. Noticeable after fire.
Grassland, vleis.
Spring–summer.
ALLIACEAE
Tulbaghia leucantha Baker
leucantha: bearing white flowers.

Mountain wild garlic (E); wildeknoffel (A); leilane (S)
Slender, erect, perennial herb, up to 300 mm tall. In clumps. Leaves basal,
long, narrow, present at flowering. Flowers ± 5 × 3 mm, tubular, lobes slen-
der, spreading, not strongly recurved, white, fleshy collar at the mouth dull
orange; ± 6 in a cluster at the tip of a long stem. General: strong odour of
garlic when bruised, culinary herb; used traditionally in cleansing treatments.
Spring–summer.
ACANTHACEAE
ALLIACEAE
Tulbaghia simmleri P.Beauv.
simmleri: named after Paul Simmler, a gardener in Geneva who cultivated

this plant.
Sweet wild garlic (E); soetwildeknoffel, aandblommetjie (A)
Slender perennial herb, up to 300 mm tall. Rootstock bulb-like. Leaves flat,
narrow, strap-shaped, grey-green, weak garlic-like smell. Flowers tubular,
± 10 mm long, 6-lobed, raised crown-like structure in the centre, pink or
mauve, sweetly scented; inflorescence terminal, umbrella-shaped. General:
likely pollinated by a butterfly or a moth. Garden plant, cut-flower.
LIM and MP.
Forests, rocky ledges.
Spring–summer.
ALLIACEAE
Tulbaghia transvaalensis Vosa
transvaalensis: from the former Transvaal.

Erect, perennial herb, up to 350 mm tall. Rootstock bulb-like. Leaves 4–8,
basal, strap-like, up to 10 mm wide, ± flat, produced with flowers. Flowers
± 12 mm long, tubular, lobes spreading, shorter than tube, greenish purple,
fleshy collar at the mouth ± as long as wide, yellow or orange to brownish
yellow, stamens protruding; sweetly scented; several in a terminal cluster.
Fruit a capsule.
LIM.
Grassland.
Spring.
AMARYLLIDACEAE
Boophone disticha (L.f.) Herb.
bous: ox, phonos: slaughter – refers to poisonous qualities of bulb; disticha:

in 2 ranks – refers to the leaves.
Tumbleweed (E); seerooglelie (A); lehwama, titikwane (S)
Deciduous, perennial herb, up to 300 mm tall. Bulb large, half above ground.
Leaves usually produced after flowers, in conspicuous fan, grey-green. Flow-
ers deep pink, sweetly scented; in dense inflorescence, ± 150 mm in diam-
eter; flower stalks lengthen during fruiting, dry inflorescence breaking off,
blowing in the wind, dispersing seeds. Fruit 3-angled. General: bulb poison-
ous to stock. Used in traditional medicine as a
painkiller and wound cover.
Grassland, rocky slopes and flats.
ALLIACEAE
AMARYLLIDACEAE
Brunsvigia natalensis Baker
Brunsvigia: named in honour of the House of Brunswick, Germany; natal-

ensis: of KwaZulu-Natal.
Candelabra flower (E); kandelaarblom (A)
Robust, deciduous, perennial herb, up to 400 mm tall. Bulb up to
± 200 mm in diameter, underground. Leaves 2–6, flattish to semi-erect,
broadly tongue-shaped, margins often reddish, produced with flowers. Flow-
ers funnel-shaped, ± 40 mm long, pale to deep pink; 20–40 in large, round
inflorescence, ± 300 mm in diameter; long stalks elongate further as fruit
ripens; dries out, breaks off and rolls in the
wind, dispersing seeds. General: scattered in
grassland.
Grassland, stream banks, stony hillsides.
Spring–summer.
AMARYLLIDACEAE
Clivia caulescens R.A.Dyer
Clivia: named after Lady Charlotte Clive (1787–1866), Duchess of Nor-

thumberland; caulescens: having a stem.
Transvaal clivia (E); boslelie (A); kgophane ya noka, mayime (S)
Robust, evergreen perennial herb, up to 650 mm tall. In colonies. Rhizomes

tend to sucker; stem thick. Leaves in 2 rows, strap-shaped, dark green.
Flowers nodding, tubular, ± 30 mm long, red to orange, tips yellow-green;
in a ± 20-flowered inflorescence. Fruit a berry, large, red; eaten by monkeys,
rodents and birds. General: used in traditional
medicine. Sometimes growing on trees. Widely
cultivated.
LIM and MP.
Forests.
Spring–summer.
AMARYLLIDACEAE
Cyrtanthus contractus N.E.Br.
kyrtos: curved, anthos: flower – refers to the frequently curved flower tube;
contractus: narrowed – refers to the flower.
Fire lily (E); brandlelie, vuurlelie (A)
Perennial herb, up to 300 mm tall. Bulb ± 50 mm in diameter, egg-shaped,
brown. Leaves 2 or 3, basal, long, narrow, produced after flowers. Flowers
nodding, ± 70 mm long, slender, tube contracted above, lobes spreading,
scarlet; 5–10 in an inflorescence, stem reddish purple. General: rapid flow-
ering response to fire.
Grassland.
AMARYLLIDACEAE
AMARYLLIDACEAE
Cyrtanthus junodii Beauverd

Deciduous, perennial herb, up to 500 mm tall. Bulb egg-shaped, ± 40 mm
in diameter, with a distinct neck. Leaves 4 or 5, strap- to lance-shaped;
produced with flowers. Flowers nodding to one side, tube curved, ± 40 mm
long, gradually dilated to the throat, red; lobes yellow; style protruding; 6–9
in an umbel. General: endemic to the upper Wolkberg.
LIM.
On bare rock of well-drained cliff faces.
Spring–summer.
M. Strever
AMARYLLIDACEAE
Scadoxus multiflorus (Martyn) Raf.
S. multiflorus subsp. multiflorus

skiadion: parasol, doxa: glory – refers to the umbels; multiflorus: many-
flowered.
Fireball lily (E)
Deciduous, perennial herb, up to 300 mm tall. Leaves shiny, margins wavy,
forming a false stem, produced with or after flowers. Flowers showy, red
to pinkish, on long stalks, stamens protruding, anthers bright yellow; many
in a round inflorescence, ± 200 mm in diameter, stem speckled towards
base. Fruit a berry, red. General: reputed to be
poisonous.
KZN, LIM and MP.
Grassland, thorn scrub.
Spring–summer.
AMARYLLIDACEAE
Scadoxus puniceus (L.) Friis & Nordal
puniceus: reddish purple.

Paintbrush (E); seeroogblom (A); letlatšana, thokgola (S)
Robust, deciduous, perennial herb, up to 400 mm tall. Bulb large. Leaves
erect, clasping at the base, forming a short false stem, leaf base purple-spot-
ted, margins wavy; often not fully developed at flowering. Flowers red-
orange, stamens protruding, anthers yellow; many in a dense, brush-like
inflorescence ± 150 mm in diameter, surrounded by large brownish bracts.
Fruit a berry, red; eaten by animals. General: used in traditional medicine
to treat burns.
Spring.
AMARYLLIDACEAE
ANACAMPSEROTACEAE
Anacampseros subnuda Poelln.
A. subnuda subsp. subnuda

Anacampseros: ancient name for a herb supposed to restore lost love; sub-
nuda: partially bare.
Haaskos (A)
Dwarf, erect perennial herb, up to 100 mm tall. Rootstock thick; stems
branched, ± 20 mm long. Leaves closely packed, succulent, round, often
tinged with purple-brown; long, silky hairs from the base between leaves.
Flowers ± 10 mm long, petals 5, showy, bright pink or white; opening for a
few hours in bright sunlight; several in terminal
inflorescences.
Depressions and cracks in rocks.
Summer.
ANACARDIACEAE
Lannea edulis (Sond.) Engl.
lana: wool – refers to the woolly hairs on all young plant parts; edulis:
edible – refers to the fruit.
Wild grape (E); wildedruif (A); mphurokhu (S)
Deciduous, dwarf shrub, up to 300 mm tall. Rootstock large, woody; branch-
es short. Leaves with 5–9 leaflets, velvety at first, later light green, shiny;
appear after flowering. Flowers small, yellowish cream; in elongated erect
spikes near ground. Fruit with a stony seed, slightly fleshy, with 4 tiny pro-
tuberances at the tip; scarlet, becoming purple; edible. General: used for
magical purposes.
Grassland, bushveld, rocky places.
ANACARDIACEAE
Searsia transvaalensis (Engl.) Moffett
(= Rhus transvaalensis)
Searsia: named after Paul B. Sears (1891–1990), American plant ecol-
ogist, professor of botany; transvaalensis: from the former Transvaal.
Escarpment karee, Transvaal currant (E); Transvaal-taaibos (A)
Many-stemmed shrub, up to 2 m tall. Leaves with 3 elliptic leaflets, tip
sharply pointed, base tapering, midrib yellowish, sunken above, prominent
below. Flowers cream; in numerous inflorescences up to 50 mm long, in leaf
axils. Fruit ± 4 mm in diameter, fleshy with a single hard seed, smooth and
yellowish, becoming reddish brown.
KZN, LIM and MP.
Bushveld.
Spring–summer.
ANACAMPSEROTACEAE
ANACARDIACEAE
Searsia tumulicola (S.Moore) Moffett
S. tumulicola var. tumulicola (= Rhus tumulicola var. tumulicola)

tumulicola: dwelling on hills – refers to the farm The Downs, Wolkberg,
where the type specimen was collected.
Hard-leaved currant (E); hardetaaibos (A)
Shrub or small tree, up to 3.5 m tall. Main stem gnarled. Leaves with 3
leaflets, tip rounded, margins entire or shallowly toothed in upper third, dark
green above, slightly paler below, hairless, hard. Flowers in much-branched,
greenish sprays. Fruit fleshy, shiny, round, ± 4 mm in diameter, reddish
brown. General: var. meeuseana (R.Fern. &
A.Fern.) Moffett distinguished by its hairy leaves.
KZN, LIM and MP.
Spring.
APOCYNACEAE
Ancylobothrys capensis (Oliv.) Pichon
ancylos: bent, curved, botrys: bunch of grapes – refers to flower clusters on

bent stalks; capensis: from the Cape Peninsula.
Rock milkapricot (E); wilde-appelkoos (A); bolepu, morobe (S)
Evergreen shrub, stems up to 2 m long, many, trailing on vegetation. Sap
milky, rubbery. Leaves dark green above, paler below, venation distinct; op-
posite. Flowers tubular, lobes ± 17 mm long, white; in clusters at branch
tips, sweetly scented. Fruit round, velvety, orange, resembling apricots when
ripe, ± 40 mm in diameter; edible. General: sap used to catch birds.
Dry, bush-covered, rocky situations.
Spring–summer.
APOCYNACEAE
Aspidoglossum glabrescens (Schltr.) Kupicha
aspidos: small shield, glossa: tongue – refers to the shape of the corona
lobes; glabrescens: becoming hairless or nearly so.
Slender, erect, perennial herb, up to 600 mm tall. Sap milky. Leaves erect,
opposite, narrow, margins rolled under, stalkless, widely spaced. Flowers
± 7 mm in diameter, lobes spreading, inside often hairy, outside hairy,
brownish pink; corona lobes with long, slender tips held closely together,
cage-like, white, protruding; on long, hairy stalks, nodding; in clusters in leaf
axils, towards tips of stems.
Rocky grassland.
Summer.
ANACARDIACEAE
APOCYNACEAE
Aspidoglossum glanduliferum (Schltr.) Kupicha
glanduliferum: bearing glands.

Sticky shield-tongue (E)
Slender, erect, perennial herb, up to 400 mm tall. Stems usually unbranched.
Leaves erect, opposite, very narrow (1–2 mm), margins rolled under, stalk-
less, widely spaced. Flowers ± 7 mm in diameter, lobes spreading, inside
hairless, outside hairy, often with glands, pinkish brown; corona lime green;
on long stalks, nodding; in clusters in leaf axils, towards tips of stems.
Grassland.
Spring.
APOCYNACEAE
Huernia zebrina N.E.Br.
H. zebrina subsp. insigniflora (C.A.Maass) Bruyns

Huernia: named after Justus Heurnius (1587–1652), Dutch missionary
and collector of Cape plants; zebrina: striped – refers to the flowers;
insigniflora: with remarkable flowers.
Succulent perennial herb, up to 100 mm tall. Stems greyish green, 4-an-
gled, prominently toothed along angles. Leaves modified to sharp-pointed
tips. Flowers remarkable, ± 40 mm in diameter, lobes 5, fused at base into
a raised ring; shiny; yellow with red markings; usually solitary at stem base.
General: subsp. zebrina, distinguished by its
mat-forming growth habit.
KZN, LIM and MP.
Rocky areas on mountains.
Summer.
ASPHODELACEAE
Aloe aculeata Pole-Evans
aloe: Arabic vernacular name for members of the genus used medicinally,
or from Greek, the dried sap of aloe leaves; aculeata: prickly – refers to
the leaves.
Red hot poker aloe (E), knoppiesaalwyn (A); ngopani (S)
Succulent herb, up to 1 m tall. Leaves curved inwards, with conspicuous
prickles on both surfaces. Flowers ± 30 mm long, tubular, reddish orange
in bud, orange to yellow when open; in erect, cylindrical, dense inflores-
cence, branched in old plants. General: used in traditional medicine to treat
bilharzia.
LIM and MP.
Rocky areas in bushveld and grassland.
Winter.
APOCYNACEAE
ASPHODELACEAE
Aloe arborescens Mill.
arborescens: tree-forming.
Krantz aloe (E); kransaalwyn (A); sekgopha, kgopha-ya-fase (S); tshikho-
pha (V)
Robust, much-branched shrub, up to 2 m tall. Branches ending in large
rosettes of many leaves. Leaves recurved to spreading, narrow, margins
toothed, dull grey-green. Flowers nodding, tubular, reddish (rarely yellow),
in conical inflorescences, ± 800 mm long. General: used in traditional med-
icine to treat HIV/AIDS, hypertension and diabetes. Crushed leaves used
to treat burns and wounds. Attractive garden
plant, easily cultivated, frost hardy.
Rocky outcrops.
Winter.
ASPHODELACEAE
Aloe boylei Baker
boylei: named after F. Boyle (flourished 1892), botanist who first collected
this species.
Broad-leaved grass aloe (E); grasaalwyn (A); sekgopha sa letshollo (S)
Deciduous, perennial herb, up to 800 mm tall. Often in small groups. Leaves
flat, up to 100 mm broad and spotted at base, erect, bright green, margins
finely toothed. Flowers relatively large, nodding, tubular, tapering to the tips;
orange-pink or yellow, tips greenish; in a rounded inflorescence, ± 120 mm
in diameter. General: used in traditional medicine as a mild purgative. Some-
times sunk into A. ecklonis Salm-Dyck.
Grassland.
Summer.
ASPHODELACEAE
Aloe chortolirioides A.Berger
A. chortolirioides var. woolliana (Pole-Evans) Glen & D.S.Hardy

chortolirioides: resembling the genus Chortolirion in the Asphodelaceae
family; woolliana: named after Mr Woolley, who collected plants in the
1930s.
Grasaalwyn (A); sekgopha sa letshollo (S)
Succulent herb, up to 300 mm tall. In dense tufts. Stems woody, branched.
Leaves erect, very narrow, grass-like, with minute teeth along margins. Flow-
ers ± 35 mm long, narrow; red, pink or orange; in rounded inflorescences
at tips of branches. General: used in traditional
medicine as a purgative. In mistbelt on the east-
ern escarpment.
LIM and MP.
Grassland, usually wedged between rocks.
Spring–summer.
ASPHODELACEAE
ASPHODELACEAE
Aloe hahnii Gideon F.Sm. & Klopper
hahnii: named after Norbert Hahn (b. 1966), South African botanist and
expert on the flora of the Soutpansberg.
Succulent, slow-growing herb, up to 1 m tall. Solitary. Leaves ± 400 mm
long, tapering gradually to dried tip; upper surface dull pale green to brown,
whitish spots; lower surface pale green, dense whitish spots in bands; mar-
gins toothed. Flowers ± 30 mm long, glossy red, round basal swelling; in
rounded clusters, inflorescence branched from above the middle. General:
endemic to the Blouberg and Soutpansberg.
LIM.
Mistbelt regions.
Winter.
ASPHODELACEAE
Aloe lettyae Reynolds
lettyae: named after Cythna L. Letty (1895–1985), South African botanical

artist who first collected the species.
Cythna’s aloe (E)
Succulent herb, up to 1.5 m tall. Leaves in a dense rosette, erectly spreading,
bluish green, whitish spots on both surfaces, margins toothed. Flowers tubu-
lar, ± 40 mm long, with large, distinctly round basal swelling, bright orange-
red, lobes with paler margins; in laxly flowered inflorescence, branched from
about the middle; branches elegantly curving upwards. General: pollinat-
ed mainly by amethyst sunbirds. Endemic to
Woodbush Granite Grassland.
LIM.
Among tall grass and bushes on mountain
slopes.
Summer.
ASPHODELACEAE
Aloe longibracteata Pole Evans
longibracteata: with long bracts.

Limpopo spotted aloe (E); Limpopobontaalwyn (A)
Succulent herb, up to 1 m tall. Leaves ± triangular, thick, whitish spots on
upper surface only; margins toothed; tips dried. Flowers up to 45 mm long,
tubular, with basal swelling, orange red to pale pink, bracts white, long,
curled below each flower; in an elongated inflorescence, branched fairly low
down. General: occurs at altitudes of 1300–1800 m. Sometimes sunk into
A. greatheadii Schönland var. davyana (Schönland) Glen & D.S.Hardy.
LIM and MP.
Rocky grassland.
Winter.
ASPHODELACEAE
ASPHODELACEAE
Aloe soutpansbergensis I.Verd.
soutpansbergensis: named after the Soutpansberg in the Limpopo Province.

Short-stemmed, succulent herb, up to 250 mm tall. Usually in little clumps
consisting of several small rosettes. Leaves long, narrow, bright green, rather
soft; margins curved inwards, finely toothed, lower surface spotted especially
near the base. Flowers large, ± 30 mm long, tubular, orange; in sparse-
ly flowered, simple inflorescence; stem orange, inclined. General: grows
amongst sedges and moss, endemic to the western parts of the Soutpans-
berg, above 1 500 m.
LIM.
Mistbelt, between rocks.
Summer.
ASPHODELACEAE
Aloe cf. spicata L.f.
spicata: bearing a spike – refers to the inflorescences.

Lebombo aloe (E); Lebombo-aalwyn (A); sekgopha (S)
Succulent perennial, up to 1.5 m tall. Stem simple or branched. Leaves
spreading to slightly recurved, channelled, often reddish green, margins
toothed. Flowers ± 15 mm long, stalkless, greenish yellow, stamens pro-
truding; nectar brown; in 1–5 unbranched inflorescences per rosette, erect,
very densely flowered, narrowly cylindrical, < 50 mm in diameter, bottle-
brush-like. General: occurs in highly variable habitats, at high and low alti-
tudes. Used in traditional medicine.
KZN, LIM and MP.
Rocky areas.
Winter.
ASPHODELACEAE
Aloe subspicata (Baker) Boatwr. & J.C.Manning
(= Chortolirion subspicatum)
sub-: somewhat, spicata: bearing a spike – refers to the inflorescence.
Perennial herb, up to 350 mm tall. Underground bulb-like base. Leaves in
basal rosette, slender, grass-like, margins with minute teeth, twisted, decid-
uous, dying back to ground level after fires or frost. Flowers small, ± 15 mm
long, tubular, 2-lipped, pinkish brown, lobes with stripe in the middle; in lax-
ly flowered, erect inflorescence, only a few flowers open at a time. General:
inconspicuous, often overlooked; in a variety of habitats.
Grassland, grassy plains, thornveld, open
woodland.
Spring–summer.
ASPHODELACEAE
ASPHODELACEAE
Aloe thompsoniae Groenew.
thompsoniae: named after Edith A. Thompson (1895–1991), of Haenerts-

burg who first collected the species in 1924.
Thompson’s aloe (E); kleingrasaalwyn (A)
Succulent herb, up to 200 mm tall. Stem branching at ground level, forming
small dense groups. Leaves ± 200 mm long, fleshy, curved backwards, mar-
gins with minute teeth; upper surface gutter-like; lower surface with many
small spots near base; 12–18 per rosette. Flowers ± 25 mm long, tubular,
tips of lobes spreading, red; in 10–15-flowered rounded inflorescences, 1–3
from a rosette. General: endemic to the Wolk-
berg.
LIM.
Mistbelt, on cliffs.
Summer.
ASPHODELACEAE
Aloe verecunda Pole-Evans
verecunda: modest.
Grass aloe (E); grasaalwyn (A)
Erect, perennial succulent, up to 400 mm tall. In groups. Stem short,
branched at ground level. Leaves long, narrow, succulent, lower surface with
small, white spots near base, margins with minute teeth, usually in a fan;
dying back in winter. Flowers tubular, ± 28 mm long, contracted towards
the mouth, pendulous when open, red to scarlet; in simple inflorescence,
rounded, rather densely flowered, stem with several bracts.
GP, LIM, MP and NW.
Grassland, wedged between boulders on
ridges.
Summer.
ASPHODELACEAE
Kniphofia coralligemma E.A.Bruce
Kniphofia: named after Johan H. Kniphof (1704–1763), German physician

and botanist; korallion: coral-red, gemma: bud.
Perennial herb, up to 1 m tall. Solitary or in small groups. Leaves up to 1 m
long, narrow, soft, bent over, V-shaped in cross section, margins distantly
toothed towards the tip. Flowers ± 25 mm long, tubular, widening slightly
near the mouth, stamens shortly protruding; buds coral-coloured to orange,
becoming yellow in open flowers; inflorescence egg-shaped to cylindrical,
± 110 × 45 mm, sometimes rather lax at tip.
LIM.
Forest margins, grassy slopes, marshy areas.
Summer–autumn.
ASPHODELACEAE
ASPHODELACEAE
Kniphofia multiflora J.M.Wood & M.S.Evans
multiflora: with many flowers.

Torch lily, giant poker (E); reusevuurpyl (A)
Robust, perennial herb, flowering stem up to 2 m tall. In colonies. Leaves
long, bent over in the middle, V-shaped in cross section, margins minutely
toothed. Flowers tubular, ± 10 mm long, pointing upwards, stamens pro-
truding; yellow, buds orange-yellow; many in dense, slender inflorescence.
General: usually at altitudes of 1 300–2 000 m.
Grassland, mountain marshes, vlei margins,
stream banks.
Summer–autumn.
ASPHODELACEAE
Kniphofia splendida E.A.Bruce
splendida: splendid.
Red-hot poker (E); vuurpyl (A)
Robust perennial herb, up to 2.5 m tall when in flower. Leaves fairly rigid,
long, narrow, arching, V-shaped in cross section, mid-green; margins and
keel finely toothed. Flowers ± 25 mm long, tubular, spreading to pendu-
lous when open, orange-yellow, stamens conspicuously protruding; buds
orange-red; inflorescence cylindrical, ± 160 × 55 mm, usually tapering to-
wards the tip, very dense. General: distribution extends from Eswatini along
the eastern escarpment to the mountains of
eastern Zimbabwe and Malawi.
LIM and MP.
Tall grassland, among rocks, often adjacent
to forest.
Summer–autumn.
ASTERACEAE
*Campuloclinium macrocephalum (Less.) DC.
kampulos: a little bent, clinium: lying on the ground – possibly refers to the
stems, lying on the ground in winter; macrocephalum: with large heads.
Pom-pom weed (E); pompombossie (A)
Robust, erect, perennial herb, up to 1.3 m tall. Rootstock woody; stems
dying back annually; roughly hairy throughout. Leaves light green, elliptic,
margins toothed. Flower heads ± 25 mm in diameter, fluffy, disc flowers
only, pink; inflorescence terminal, branched. General: introduced as an or-
namental; indigenous to South America. Tolerant of frequent fires, spreading
rapidly.
Invades grasslands and wetlands.
Summer.
ASPHODELACEAE
ASTERACEAE
*Cosmos bipinnatus Cav.
kosmos: beautiful; bi: two, pinnatus: feather-like – refers to twice divided

leaf.
Mexican aster (E); kosmos (A)
Erect, softly branched, annual herb, up to 1.5 m tall. Leaves opposite, deep-
ly divided, lobes long, very narrow. Flower heads large, ± 60 mm in diame-
ter, ± 8 rays, white, pink or mauve; disc yellow; terminal, solitary. General:
naturalised weed in South Africa; introduced in fodder; indigenous to Central
America and the West Indies.
Roadsides, disturbed places.
Summer–autumn.
ASTERACEAE
Crassocephalum crepidioides (Benth.) S.Moore
crassocephalum: thick head; crepidioides: origin unknown.

Redflower ragleaf (E); dintšhi (S)
Slender, erect annual herb, up to 1.2 m tall. Stem ribbed, sparingly branched,
thinly hairy. Leaves on upper stem entire or with a pair of lobes, lower leaves
deeply divided, lobes irregularly toothed, on winged stalks, clasping at base.
Flower heads ± 15 mm in diameter, colour variable, mostly orange-red, on
long stalks; nodding at first; in loosely branched inflorescence. General: ag-
gressive weed in tropical and subtropical regions; not a weed in South Africa.
Forest margins, disturbed areas.
Summer–autumn.
ASTERACEAE
Dicoma anomala Sond.
D. anomala subsp. gerrardii (Harv. ex F.C.Wilson) S.Ortíz & Rodr.Oubiña

di: two, kome: tuft of hairs – refers to the fruit; anomala: abnormal; ger-
rardii: named after William T. Gerrard (circa 1831–1866), collector in
KwaZulu-Natal.
Perennial herb, stems up to 300 mm long, lying on the ground or erect.
Rootstock woody. Leaves narrow, margins finely toothed, green above, white-
felted below. Flower heads thistle-like; 10–15 mm long, disc flowers only,
pale pinkish mauve fading whitish, surrounded by sharply pointed bracts;
solitary or few at branch tips. General: subsp.
anomala distinguished by longer flower heads
(15–30 mm) is used medicinally.
Hillsides, flat grassland, bushveld.
Summer–autumn.
ASTERACEAE
ASTERACEAE
Dimorphotheca jucunda E.Phillips
(= Osteospermum jucundum)
dis: twice, morph: shape, theka: fruit – refers to two kinds of fruit in the
same fruiting head; jucunda: delightful.
Trailing pink daisy (E); bergbietou, bloubietou (A)
Slender, perennial herb, up to 350 mm tall. In clumps. Stem underground;
above-ground stems trailing or erect; thinly hairy throughout. Leaves alter-
nate, narrowly lance-shaped, margins with few irregular, blunt teeth. Flower
heads ± 40 mm in diameter, rays deep pink to magenta above, coppery
below; disc black at first then yellow; solitary,
on a long stalk. General: visited by butterflies.
Grassland on mountainsides.
Spring–autumn.
ASTERACEAE
Helichrysum adenocarpum DC.
cies; adenocarpum: glandular fruits.
Pink everlasting (E); pienksewejaartjie (A)
Perennial herb, up to 450 mm tall. Rootstock woody. Leaves in 1–several ba-
sal rosettes, roundish, grey-woolly on both surfaces, flat on the ground, stem
leaves lance-shaped, erect, overlapping, often without wool. Flower heads
± 25 mm in diameter, disc yellow, surrounded by glossy bracts, red, pink or
white with red tips; solitary or several in branched inflorescences, flowering
stems arising from the side of the leaf rosettes.
Grassland, often on moist slopes.
Summer–autumn.
ASTERACEAE
Helichrysum appendiculatum (L.f.) Less.
appendiculatum: with appendages.

Sheep-ears everlasting (E); skaapoorbossie (A)
Perennial herb, up to 500 mm tall. Rootstock thick, woody; flowering stems
1 or several from ground level, erect, grey-woolly. Leaves woolly on both
surfaces; basal leaves spreading, elliptic; stem leaves smaller, lance-shaped,
base broad, clasping. Flower heads small, disc flowers yellow, surrounded
by creamy white bracts, often tinged reddish, dull, tips pointed, curved back-
wards; in terminal clusters, ± 30 mm in diameter.
Grassland.
Summer.
ASTERACEAE
ASTERACEAE
Helichrysum candolleanum H.Buek
candolleanum: resembling the genus Candollea in the Stylidiaceae family,

mostly endemic to Australia and New Zealand.
Trailing or erect perennial herb, main branches up to 400 mm long. Taproot
stout, woody. Leaves greyish woolly on both surfaces, stalkless, shape var-
iable. Flower heads bell-shaped, disc flowers yellow, surrounded by sharp-
ly pointed bracts, ± transparent, inner series often crimson or pink, outer
silvery white; in tight rounded clusters, ± 20 mm in diameter, at tips of
branches; woolly leaves below, and usually longer than, the inflorescence.
Sandy or gravelly soils in grassland or open
bushveld.
ASTERACEAE
Senecio speciosus Willd.
fruit; speciosus: beautiful.
Beautiful senecio (E); pienk-senecio (A)
Erect, perennial herb, up to 700 mm tall. In clumps. Rootstock woody, stems
several. Leaves mainly in basal rosette, paddle-shaped, narrowing to stalk-
like, stem-clasping base, usually with sticky hairs, margins lobed, wavy or
coarsly toothed. Flower heads ± 30 mm in diameter, ± 12 rays, pink to
purple, disc cream-coloured to purple; terminal, in branched inflorescence.
Damp grassland, mashy depressions.
Spring–autumn.
ASTERACEAE
Tenrhynea phylicifolia (DC.) Hilliard & B.L.Burtt
Tenrhynea: named after Willem ten Rhyne (1647–1700), Dutch physician

who collected in the Cape; phylicifolia: leaves resembling those of the
genus Phylica in the Rhamnaceae family.
Shrubby perennial, up to 1 m tall. Branches closely leafy. Leaves alternate,
narrowly lance-shaped, grey-green above, velvety white below, base narrowly
winged onto stem. Flower heads small, pink, surrounding bracts papery,
pink or white, spreading; musky smell; many clustered in branched terminal
inflorescences ± 50 mm in diameter. General: the only species in this genus,
endemic to southern Africa.
Grassland, often near forest margins.
Summer–autumn.
ASTERACEAE
ASTERACEAE
*Zinnia peruviana (L.) L.
Zinnia: named after Johann G. Zinn (1727–1759), German professor of

botany; peruviana: from Peru.
Redstar zinnia (E); wildejakobregop (A), senopi (S)
Annual herb, up to 500 mm tall. Taproot short; stem solitary, erect, branched
in upper part. Leaves on stem, stalkless, opposite, widely spaced, lance-
shaped, roughly hairy. Flower heads ± 50 mm in diameter, with red to or-
ange rays, centre conical, brownish or yellow, stalk thickening below flower
head. General: ornamental plant introduced from South America.
Roadsides, disturbed areas.
Spring–autumn.
BEGONIACEAE
Begonia sonderiana Irmsch.
Begonia: named after Michel Begon (1638–1710), French governor of San

Domingo, patron of botany; sonderiana: named after Otto W. Sonder
(1812–1881), German botanist and pharmacist.
Wild begonia (E); wildebegonia (A)
Soft, succulent, perennial herb, up to 400 mm tall. Tuber; stems and leaf
stalks pink to reddish. Leaves asymmetric, 5–7-lobed, margins irregularly
toothed, alternate. Flowers showy, ± 30 mm in diameter, pink or white
tinged pink; male and female flowers on the same plant; in clusters in leaf ax-
ils. Fruit a 3-winged capsule. General: in damp,
shady, rocky places; popular ornamental.
KZN, LIM and MP.
Moist mountain areas, forest.
Summer.
CARYOPHYLLACEAE
Silene burchellii Otth ex DC.
S. burchellii subsp. pilosellifolia (Cham. & Schltdl.) J.C.Manning & Goldblatt

sialon: saliva – refers to some species having sticky stems; burchellii: named
after William J. Burchell (1781–1863), botanical collector in South Africa;
pilosellifolia: with hairy leaves.
Gunpowder plant (E); kruitbossie (A)
Slender, perennial herb, up to 400 mm tall. Rootstock woody; plants hairy.
Leaves ± on lower stem. Flowers ± 10 mm in diameter, petals 5, deeply lobed,
white to deep pink; calyx 20–25 mm long, veined maroon; open in the evening;
inflorescence terminal, unbranched, all flowers on one side. Fruit a capsule;
seeds resembling gunpowder. General: subsp.
modesta J.C.Manning & Goldblatt distinguished
by its shorter calyx.
Grassland, fynbos, among rocks.
Summer.
ASTERACEAE
COLCHICACEAE
Gloriosa modesta (Hook.) J.C.Manning & Vinn.
(= Littonia modesta)
gloriosus: glorious, famous; modesta: modest.
Christmas bells (E); geelklokkies (A)
Slender, climbing perennial herb, stems up to 2 m long. Tuber small. Leaves
long, narrow, bright green, stalkless, tips with tendrils. Flowers cup-shaped,
± 30 mm in diameter, on long stalks, nodding, yellow-orange, style with 3
recurved branches; solitary, inserted next to upper leaves. Fruit a capsule,
seeds round, red. General: grows in half-shade;
easily cultivated from seed.
Forest, mountain grassland, bushveld.
Summer.
CRASSULACEAE
Cotyledon barbeyi Schweinf. ex Baker
C. barbeyi var. barbeyi

kotyledon: cup-shaped hollow – refers to the leaves of some species; bar-
beyi: named after William Barbey (1842–1914), Swiss botanist.
Plakkie (A)
Succulent shrub, up to 2 m tall. Leaves opposite, paddle- to spindle-shaped,
fleshy, shiny green to greyish brown. Flowers nodding, tube bulging at the
base, lobes curling back, orange to deep red; in flattened terminal cluster,
± 150 mm in diameter. General: var. soutpansbergensis Van Jaarsv. &
A.E.van Wyk is smaller and restricted to the
Soutpansberg.
Bushveld, rock outcrops.
Autumn–winter.
CRASSULACEAE
Cotyledon orbiculata L.
C. orbiculata var. oblonga (Haw.) DC.

orbiculata: flat with a circular outline; oblonga: longer than broad.
Pig’s ears (E); varkore (A); tsebe ya kolobe (S)
Robust, evergreen, succulent shrublet, up to 800 mm tall. Leaves at base,
broadly paddle-shaped, grey-green, margins red, sharp tipped, young leaves
closely packed and with a waxy layer. Flowers nodding, tubular, ± 30 mm
long, lobes 5, curled back, red to pinkish orange, stamens protruding; in
terminal cluster on stout stalk. General: widely used in traditional medicine.
Popular garden plant.
EC, FS, LIM and MP.
Rocky slopes.
COLCHICACEAE
CRASSULACEAE
Crassula alba Forssk.
crassus: thick – refers to fleshy leaves; alba: white, inappropriate as most

plants have deep red flowers.
Perennial or biennial herb, up to 500 mm tall. Root tuberous; flowering
stems 1 or several, erect, usually unbranched. Leaves basal, lance-shaped,
stalkless, slightly fleshy, sharp tipped; stem leaves smaller, becoming erect,
clasping the stem. Flowers small, deep red, pink or, rarely, white; many in a
dense, ± flat-topped inflorescence, ± 150 mm in diameter. General: varia-
ble in growth form, hairiness and flower colour.
Summer–autumn.
CRASSULACEAE
Kalanchoe crundallii I.Verd.
Kalanchoe: Chinese name for one of the species; crundallii: named after
Albert H. Crundall (1889–1975), British-born amateur botanist who
travelled in South Africa.
Sparse shrublet, up to 900 mm tall. Leaves succulent, opposite, long, broad

to almost round, green to yellowish green, margins often partly red, on stalks.
Flowers up to 15 mm long, tube 4-angled, slightly contracted at the throat,
yellow, becoming red with age; in clusters, on an elongated, terminal inflo-
rescence. General: endemic to the Soutpansberg.
LIM.
Mistbelt, among boulders.
Summer.
CRASSULACEAE
Kalanchoe rotundifolia (Haw.) Haw.
rotundifolia: with round leaves.

Common kalanchoe (E); nentabos, plakkie (A)
Erect or straggly, slender, perennial herb, up to 500 mm tall. In colonies.

Stem sparsely branched. Leaves usually in pairs, rounded, fleshy, blue-green,
on lower part of the stem, falling off soon. Flowers erect, small, ± 10 mm
long, tubular, 4-lobed, orange-red, twisting with age; in a sparse, ± flat-
topped inflorescence, on long stalk. General: leaf shape and plant size varia-
ble. Poisonous to stock.
Bushveld, shade or half-shade.
Autumn–winter.
CRASSULACEAE
CUCURBITACEAE
Coccinia adoensis (A.Rich.) Cogn.
coccinea: scarlet – refers to the red fruit; adoensis: derived from a place
name in Ethiopia.
Wild spinach (E); sipho (NS, V)
Perennial climber, stems up to 6 m long, hairy. Rootstock tuberous. Leaves
variable in shape, 3–7-lobed, margins finely and regularly toothed; stalked;
tendrils present. Flowers pale creamy yellow to salmon-pink; male (in elon-
gated clusters) and female (smaller, solitary) flowers on separate plants. Fruit
oval, up to 80 mm long, tip beaked, smooth, orange-red. General: leaves
cooked as spinach. For cream flowers see p. 59.
Spring–summer.
ERICACEAE
Erica alticola Guthrie & Bolus
ereike: to break – refers to brittle stems; classical Greek name for heath;
alticola: dwelling at high altitude.
Small shrub, up to 400 mm tall. Branches spreading, then ascending. Leaves
narrow, ± 9 mm long, spreading, 4 in a cluster. Flowers tiny, ± 2 mm long,
urn- to cup-shaped, with 4 lobes, red, anthers and style usually included,
but style sometimes protruding; solitary, in leaf axils, forming a leafy inflo-
rescence, ± 20 mm long, at tips of branchlets. General: occurs at altitudes
above 1 800 m.
LIM and MP.
Among rocks.
Spring.
ERICACEAE
Erica cerinthoides L.
cerinthoides: resembling honey wort, the genus Cerinthe in the Boragina-

ceae family.
Fire heath (E); rooihaartjie (A)
Erect, multi-stemmed shrub, up to 1 m tall. Rootstock woody. Leaves small,
narrow, on short stalks. Flowers large, ± 30 mm long, tubular, ± inflated,
slightly constricted at the mouth, hairy, scarlet, pink or white; in dense, ter-
minal inflorescences. General: variable over its distribution range in growth
habit, hairiness of leaves and flowers, in size, shape and colour of its flow-
ers. Garden plant, grown in Europe since the
1700s.
Mountains.
CUCURBITACEAE
ERICACEAE
Erica woodii Bolus
E. woodii var. woodii

woodii: named after John M. Wood (1827–1915), a botanist from KwaZulu-
Natal.
Eastern escarpment pink heath (E); pienkheide (A)
Much-branched, erect shrublet, up to 600 mm tall. Branches hairy. Leaves
small, up to 4 mm long, narrow, margins rolled under, spreading, in whorls of
3, crowded on short side branches. Flowers bell-shaped, tiny, ± 2.5 mm in
diameter, dull pink, nodding, styles protruding; many, in leaf axils, towards the
tips of branches. General: var. robusta Dulfer is
up to 1 m tall and has slightly larger leaves.
In ravines and on mountains.
Summer–autumn.
EUPHORBIACEAE
Acalypha angustata Sond.
akalephe: a nettle – refers to the leaves resembling those of a nettle; an-

gusta: narrow.
Copper leaf (E); katpisbossie (A); makgonatšohle (S)
Perennial herb, up to 300 mm tall. Rootstock woody; stems many, erect;
unpleasantly scented when crushed. Leaves ± stalkless, lance-shaped,
± 5 mm wide, margins slightly toothed. Flowers male and female on sepa-
rate plants; male yellowish, tinged with red, densely clustered in erect inflo-
rescences, ± 15 mm long, in leaf axils; female tiny, with long red styles, at
stem tips (see image). General: used in tradi-
tional cleansing treatments.
Spring–summer.
EUPHORBIACEAE
Acalypha depressinerva (Kuntze) K.Schum.
(= A. schinzii)
depressinerva: nerves or veins somewhat sunken.
Bearded-leaved brooms and brushes (E); bogošola bjo bogolo (S)
Perennial herb, up to 300 mm tall. Rootstock woody; stems slender, erect,
simple or sparingly branched, with long hairs. Leaves narrow, margins en-
tire, hairy. Flowers male and female on separate plants; male buds red,
opening to white; in elongated, densely-flowered inflorescences, ± 20 mm
long, on long stalks in leaf axils (see image); female with long red styles, soli-
tary, terminal. General: used in traditional med-
icine to treat stomach complaints in children.
Grassland.
Spring–summer.
ERICACEAE
EUPHORBIACEAE
Acalypha peduncularis E.Mey. ex Meisn.
peduncularis: with an inflorescence stalk.

Brooms and brushes (E)
Perennial herb, up to 450 mm tall. Rootstock woody; stems lying on the
ground to erect, hairy. Leaves stalkless, ± oval, margins coarsely toothed.
Flowers male and female on separate plants; male red and white, densely
clustered in erect inflorescences, ± 10 mm long, on long, hairy stalks in
leaf axils (see image); female tiny, with long red styles, at stem tips. Fruit a
3-lobed capsule.
Spring–summer.
EUPHORBIACEAE
Acalypha wilmsii Pax ex Prain & Hutch.

Perennial herb, up to 600 mm tall. Rootstock woody; stems firm, sparingly
branched. Leaves egg- to lance-shaped, on short stalks, hairy, with glands
on both surfaces, sticky, veins conspicuous, margins toothed. Flowers: male
and female on separate plants; male buds red, opening to white; in elongat-
ed, densely-flowered inflorescences, on long stalks in leaf axils; female with
long red styles, solitary, terminal (see image). General: forms clumps in the
absence of fire.
Grassland.
Spring–summer.
FABACEAE
Aeschynomene nyassana Taub.
aischynomene: a sensitive plant; nyassana: from Malawi, formerly Nyas-

aland.
Small shrub, up to 500 mm tall. Rootstock woody; stems several, mostly
erect. Leaves with up to 40 pairs of leaflets; frequently flowering when leaf-
less or leaves only slightly developed. Flowers ± 15 mm long, yellow, calyx
reddish, 2-lipped; many in elongated, branched inflorescences. Fruit a pod
with 1 or 2 segments, constricted between seeds, flat, papery.
LIM and MP.
EUPHORBIACEAE
FABACEAE
Aeschynomene rehmannii Schinz

Knuckle-beans (E); mokgahlišane (S)
Slender shrub, up to 1.2 m tall. Leaves alternate, spreading, ± 60 mm long,
with up to 15 pairs of leaflets. Flowers ± 12 mm long, orange-yellow, upper
lobe with red veining; several, on a long stalk, in the axils of upper leaves.
Fruit a flat pod, constricted into 2 or 3 rounded segments. General: branches
hairy in var. leptobotrya (Harms ex Baker f.) J.B.Gillett, hairs absent in var.
rehmannii. Used in traditional medicine to treat
diarrhoea.
GP, LIM and MP.
Grassland.
Summer.
FABACEAE
Eriosema salignum E.Mey.
erion: wool, sema: sign – refers to the woolly large upper petal; salignum:
willow-like – refers to the leaves.
Brown bonnets, willow-leaved eriosema (E); kherodwe (L)
Sparsely branched, perennial herb, up to 600 mm tall. Rootstock thick,
woody; stems several, erect; stems, leaf and flower stalks grey-hairy. Leaves
with 3 leaflets, elliptic, green above, silky-white and prominently veined be-
low. Flowers ± 12 mm long, down-facing, yellow to orange, upper lobe
with reddish brown veining, calyx hairy; in dense, terminal clusters. General:
traditionally used in the Modjadji area.
Grassland.
Spring–summer.
FABACEAE
Indigastrum costatum (Guill. & Perr.) Schrire
I. costatum subsp. macrum (E.Mey.) Schrire

Indigastrum: name refers to some similarity to Indigofera; costatum:
ribbed; macrum: long, large.
False indigo (E)
Herb, up to 400 mm tall. Stems ribbed, sometimes lying on the ground.
Leaves with 5–9 elliptic leaflets, stipules present at base of stalk. Flowers
resembling pea-flowers, small, ± 5 mm long, pinkish red; petals hairless;
many in dense inflorescences, becoming lax later, on long stalks, in leaf axils.
Fruit a pod, ± 40 mm long, upturned towards
the tip, 15–20-seeded.
Summer.
FABACEAE
FABACEAE
Indigastrum fastigiatum (E.Mey.) Schrire
fastigiatum: parallel, erect clustered branches.

Slender indigo (E); bogošola bja bana (S)
Slender, erect herb, up to 500 mm tall. Few branches, sparsely leafy. Leaves
with narrow leaflets, tip with tiny point, stipules present at base of stalk.
Flowers small, reddish pink, crowded in bud, becoming lax later; inflores-
cence with conspicuous stalk, up to 150 mm long. Fruit a pod, ± 30 mm
long. General: used in traditional medicine to treat stomach complaints in
children.
Mountain grassland.
Summer.
FABACEAE
Indigofera comosa N.E.Br.
indigofera: bearing indigo, a blue dye that is obtained from several species
of the genus; comosa: bearing a tuft of hairs or leaves.
Much-branched shrublet, up to 1 m tall. Rootstock woody; stems erect or
lying on the ground, ± hairy. Leaves with 7 or 8 pairs of leaflets, usually
folded, upper surface hairless, lower surface with long hairs, clumps of red-
dish brown glands where pairs of leaflets meet. Flowers ± 5 mm long, deep
pinkish red, bracts long; many in 20–70 mm long inflorescences, in leaf
axils. Fruit a pod, short, hairy.
Spring–summer.
FABACEAE
Indigofera frondosa N.E.Br.
frondosa: leafy.
Small, multi-stemmed shrub, up to 400 mm tall. Stems ribbed, light brown,
leafy. Leaves ± 20 mm long, with several pairs of narrow, folded leaflets,
upper surface hairless, lower surface thinly hairy. Flowers relatively large,
± 15 mm long, red, with brown hairs on back of large upper petal; ± 15
in ± 40 mm long inflorescences, on long stalks, in leaf axils. Fruit a pod,
slender, ± 25 mm long, spreading to erect.
Summer.
FABACEAE
FABACEAE
Indigofera hedyantha Eckl. & Zeyh.
hedyantha: sweet-flowered.
Black-bud indigo (E); aambeibossie (A)
Shrublet, up to 400 mm tall. Rootstock woody; stems many, spreading to
erect. Leaves with 2–4 pairs of narrowly elliptic leaflets, each often folded,
thinly hairy. Flowers ± 10 mm long, reddish pink, with dark brown hairs
on back of large upper petal as seen in bud, calyx with black hairs on outer
surface; in short, compact inflorescences, longer than the leaves. Fruit a pod,
cylindrical, up to 40 mm long.
Dense grassland, rocky slopes.
Spring–Summer.
FABACEAE
Indigofera hilaris Eckl. & Zeyh.
hilaris: cheerful.
Grassland indigofera (E); grasveld-indigofera (A)
Erect, perennial shrublet, up to 400 mm tall. Rootstock woody; stems many,
slender, sparsely branched, hairy. Leaves crowded, leaf axis up to 15 mm
long, with 5 narrowly elliptic leaflets, tip a fine point; stipules up to 4 mm
long. Flowers ± 6 mm in diameter, showy, reddish pink to bright pink; in
dense clusters usually shorter than the leaves, in leaf axils. General: be-
comes tall and straggly in the absence of fire.
Grassland.
FABACEAE
Indigofera melanadenia Benth. ex Harv.
melas: black; aden: gland; with black glands.

Rounded shrublet, up to 1 m tall. Branches spreading to all sides, angularly
bent. Leaves with up to 8 pairs of opposite leaflets and a terminal one, silvery
silky hairy, with dark glands where pairs of leaflets meet. Flowers small,
± 5 mm long, red, calyx lobes awn-like; inflorescences dense, on long stalks.
Fruit a hairy pod, ± 8 mm long. General: accumulates copper and nickel
in its leaves when growing on soils with a high copper and nickel content.
Widespread across northern SA.
Rocky slopes.
Summer.
FABACEAE
FABACEAE
Indigofera oxalidea Welw. ex Baker
oxalidea: similar to the genus Oxalis in the Oxalidaceae family.
Much-branched, trailing perennial herb, stems up to 400 mm long, some-

times rooting at the nodes. Rootstock woody. Leaves with several leaflets,
leaflets usually alternate; stipules broad, hairless. Flowers small, reddish
pink; in erect inflorescences, ± 30 mm long, on short stalks. Fruit a pod,
sickle-shaped, flattened sideways. General: distribution extends northwards
up to Angola, Zambia and Tanzania.
GP, LIM, MP and NW.
Grassland, bushveld, roadsides.
Summer.
FABACEAE
Indigofera reducta N.E.Br.
reducta: drawn back, reduced.

Dwarf shrub, up to 300 mm tall. Stems much branched, sometimes creep-
ing. Leaves with 3 or 4 pairs of leaflets, small, ± 5 mm long, narrow, folded,
thick, opposite, with clumps of red glands where pairs of leaflets meet. Flow-
ers ± 5 mm long, red; a few together on a stalk, in leaf axils. Fruit a short
pod, ± 7 mm long, beaked, hairy.
LIM.
Grassland.
Summer.
FABACEAE
Indigofera rehmannii Baker f.
rehmannii: named after Anton Rehmann (1840–1917), a Polish plant ge-

ographer, who visited South Africa.
Mokgahlišane (S)
Small shrub, up to 1 m tall. Stem erect, densely hairy. Leaves with ± 6 pairs
of elliptic leaflets, folded, clumps of red glands between leaflets. Flowers
± 10 mm long, scarlet red, showy; calyx with dark brown hairs on outer sur-
face, lobes narrow; many stout, dense inflorescences produced towards the
tip of the stem, in leaf axils, on long, hairy stalks. General: used in traditional
medicine to treat diarrhoea.
LIM.
Grassland.
Summer.
FABACEAE
FABACEAE
Indigofera rostrata Bolus
rostrata: beaked.
Erect dwarf shrub, up to 450 mm tall. Stems usually unbranched. Leaves
with 9–11 narrow leaflets, sometimes crowded along the leaf axis, overlap-
ping one another. Flowers ± 15 mm long, reddish pink with a fluffy white
crest, buds deep maroon; in long-stalked inflorescences standing out from
stem, usually towards the tip of the stem. Fruit a pod, straight, slightly flat-
tened, ± 40 mm long, many-seeded.
Summer.
FABACEAE
Indigofera sanguinea N.E.Br.
sanguinea: blood-red – refers to the colour of the flowers.

Blood-red indigofera (E); bloedrooi-indigofera (A); mokgahlišane (S)
Semi-erect, perennial herb, up to 300 mm tall. Rootstock woody; stems
spreading, softly hairy. Leaves with ± 7 pairs of leaflets, hairy below and on
margins. Flowers ± 14 mm long, bright orange-red or pink, petals falling off
soon; in erect, dense inflorescences, on long stalks, in leaf axils. Fruit a cylin-
drical pod, ± 18 mm long, hairy. General: one of the first plants to emerge
after fire. Traditionally used to treat diarrhoea.
Open rocky grassland.
Spring–summer.
FABACEAE
Pseudarthria hookeri Wight & Arn.
pseudo: false, arthron: joint – refers to the partial constriction between

seeds; hookeri: named after Joseph D. Hooker (1817–1911), English
botanist who collected at the Cape.
Velvet bean (E); fluweelboontjie (A)
Robust, top-heavy herb, up to 2 m tall. Rootstock thick, woody; stems
ribbed, velvety. Leaves with three leaflets, rough, sandpapery above, dense-
ly hairy below; stipules present. Flowers small, ± 8 mm in diameter, deep
pink, calyx velvety brown; many in terminal, much-branched inflorescence.
Fruit a pod, woody, straight, seeds yellow. Gen-
eral: widespread in tropical Africa.
Summer–autumn.
FABACEAE
FABACEAE
Rhynchosia monophylla Schltr.
rhynchos: beak – refers to the style; monophylla: with a single leaf.

Trailing, perennial herb, stems up to 600 mm long, thinly hairy. Rootstock
woody. Leaves widely spaced, broadly egg-shaped, simple, occasionally with
3 leaflets, veins prominent on lower surface. Flowers ± 12 mm long, upper
lobe yellow or orange veined with red, side lobes bright pinkish red, calyx
densely hairy; solitary or in few-flowered clusters, in leaf axils. Fruit an oval,
flat pod, hairy, 2-seeded. General: for yellow-flowered form see p. 150.
Spring–summer.
FABACEAE
Tephrosia elongata E.Mey.
T. elongata var. elongata

tephros: ashen – refers to grey-green leaves of many species; elongata:
elongated.
Orange tephrosia (E)
Slender, semi-erect perennial herb, stems up to 600 mm long. Rootstock
woody. Leaves with 3–5 narrow, lance-shaped leaflets, up to 80 mm long,
with numerous ascending, closely parallel side veins, lower surface hairy.
Flowers ± 15 mm long, covered with hairs on outer surface, orange, yellow
or salmon; solitary or a few together in terminal
inflorescences, sparse, on long stalks. Fruit a
flat, hairy pod.
Spring–summer.
FABACEAE
Trifolium africanum Ser.
trifolium: with 3 leaves; africanum: African.

African clover, Cape clover (E); wildeklawer (A)
Delicate, spreading perennial herb, stems up to 250 mm long, ribbed.
Leaves with 3 leaflets, parallel-veined, margins minutely toothed; on long
stalks, stipules paired, lance-shaped, ± 10 mm long, half attached to the
stalk, free points narrow. Flowers red to purple, calyx hairy; many in a com-
pact, rounded cluster, ± 20 mm in diameter, on a long stalk, in leaf axils.
Fruit a pod with persistent calyx tube, short, 2-seeded.
Damp grassland, disturbed areas.
Summer.
FABACEAE
GERANIACEAE
Pelargonium luridum (Andrews) Sweet
pelargos: a stork – refers to beak of the fruit; luridum: smoky or drab – re-
fers to the flower colour.
Stork’s bill, waving pelargonium (E); wildemalva (A)
Deciduous, perennial herb, up to 600 mm tall. Tuber woody. Plant hairy
throughout. Leaves variable even on a single plant, shallowly to deeply lobed
or thread-like, in basal rosette. Flowers large, 5-lobed, white, pink or pale
yellow; up to 60 in a single inflorescence, ± 130 mm in diameter; stem long,
erect. General: long flowering season. For white-coloured form see p. 69.
Spring–autumn.
GESNERIACEAE
Streptocarpus dunnii Hook.f.
streptos: twisted, karpos: fruit – refers to the spirally coiled fruit; dunnii:
named after Edward J. Dunn (1844–1937), geologist and plant collec-
tor.
Crimson streptocarpus (E); olifantsoor (A)
Stemless herb, up to 200 mm tall. Leaves large, up to 300 mm long,
thick-textured, hairy on both surfaces, midrib and veins sunken in above,
margins scalloped, often wavy; 1 or several. Flowers trumpet-shaped, tube
curved, ± 40 mm long, coral to red, tube inside white striped red; many
open together in dense inflorescences. General:
easily recognised.
LIM and MP.
Mountainsides, among rocks.
Summer.
IRIDACEAE
Crocosmia aurea (Pappe ex Hook.) Planch.
krokos: saffron, osme: a smell – refers to the saffron-like smell of the infused
flowers; aurea: golden.
Falling stars, montbretia (E); valentynsblom (A)
Perennial herb, up to 1 m tall. In colonies. Leaves soft, ± 20 mm wide, with
distinct midrib, in a fan, stem-clasping. Flowers nodding, large, ± 50 mm in
diameter, luminous orange, lobes spreading, stamens and style protruding,
style with 3 short branches; in a branched, lax inflorescence. Fruit a knobbly
capsule, orange; seeds shiny purplish black, round.
Forest margins.
Summer.
GERANIACEAE
IRIDACEAE
Crocosmia paniculata (Klatt) Goldblatt
paniculata: with flowers arranged in branched inflorescences.

Zigzag crocosmia (E); vallende sterretjies, waaierlelie (A)
Robust, perennial herb, up to 1.5 m tall. In large clumps. Leaves strongly
pleated, long, narrow, in a fan. Flowers ± trumpet-shaped, orange-red, tube
± 40 mm long, widening at mouth, 2-lipped, upper lobe largest, stamens
arching below upper lobe, style with 3 slender branches; many in inflores-
cences, branches zigzag in upper part, usually inclined. General: restricted
to the eastern escarpment of southern Africa.
Forest margins, grassland, moist places.
Summer.
IRIDACEAE
Dierama gracile N.E.Br.
dierama: a funnel – refers to the flower shape; gracile: slender, graceful.

Hairbells, fairybells (E); grasklokkies (A)
Slender cormous herb, up to 750 mm tall. Leaves several, grass-like. Flow-

ers ± 20 mm long, nodding, pale to deep lilac-pink or magenta; flowering
stems clumped, wiry, arching, with 1–5 branches; bracts flecked, tip of each
bract reaching at least to base of second bract above it. General: found at
altitudes of 1 200–1 600 m. Distinguished from the closely related D. adel-
phicum Hilliard by its growth habit and inflores-
cence characters (see p. 239).
LIM and MP.
Open grassy places.
Spring.
IRIDACEAE
Freesia grandiflora (Baker) Klatt
(= Anomatheca grandiflora)
Freesia: named after Friedrich H.T. Freese (1795–1876), a German physi-
cian and botanist; grandiflora: having large flowers.
Forest freesia (E); kgarikgari, lenthekhu (S)
Erect, cormous herb, up to 450 mm tall. In small colonies. Leaves narrow,
in a fan, shorter than inflorescence. Flowers ± 35 mm in diameter, lobes
longer than slender tube, narrow, spreading, scarlet, darker red markings on
3 lobes; stamens long, protruding; 4–6 in lax spike. Fruit a capsule, seeds
orange. General: used in traditional medicine to
treat kidney stones.
GP, LIM, MP and NW.
Forest margins; shaded, rocky places.
Summer.
IRIDACEAE
IRIDACEAE
Freesia laxa (Thunb.) Goldblatt & J.C.Manning
F. laxa subsp. laxa (= Anomatheca laxa)

laxa: loose, not dense.
Small red iris, woodland painted petals (E); rooipypie (A)
Slender, cormous herb, up to 300 mm tall. Leaves sword-shaped, in a fan,
thin, usually exceeding the inflorescence. Flowers ± 25 mm in diameter,
lobes shorter than tube, egg-shaped, spreading, red or bright pink, with
deep magenta markings at base of the 3 lower lobes; stamens short; 2–6
in lax spike, held ± horizontal. General: dis-
tribution extends northwards through eastern
tropical Africa.
Rocky grassland, in shade of bushes.
Summer.
IRIDACEAE
Gladiolus crassifolius Baker
gladiolus: small sword – refers to the leaf shape; crassifolius: with thick
leaves.
Thick-leaved gladiolus (E)
Cormous herb, up to 1 m tall. Leaves stiff, margins and midrib yellow, in a
fan, reaching to at least the middle of the inflorescence. Flowers bell-shaped,
tube up to 15 mm long, red, orange, pink, purple or white, with dark mark-
ings on lower lobes; buds in 2 rows, all turned the same direction, ± 20 in
a dense inflorescence, stem curving out from leaves. General: pollinated by
long-tongued bees and flies.
Grassland, grassy plains and slopes.
Summer–autumn.
IRIDACEAE
Gladiolus dalenii Van Geel
dalenii: named after Cornelius Dalen (1766–1852), Dutch botanist and

physician.
African gladiolus (E); papegaaigladiolus, wildeswaardlelie (A)
Robust, cormous herb, up to 1.5 m tall. Leaves in a fan, ± half as long as
inflorescence, narrow, erect. Flowers hooded, tube ± 40 mm long, various-
ly coloured, orange-red to greenish yellow, finely speckled or plain, bracts
large; in few- to many-flowered, terminal inflorescence. General: pollinated
primarily by sunbirds. Flowers edible. For yellow-flowered form see p. 157.
Grassland, rocky ridges, vleis.
Summer.
IRIDACEAE
IRIDACEAE
Gladiolus vernus Oberm.
vernus: pertaining to spring – refers to the flowering period.

Cormous herb, up to 450 mm tall. Leaves 4 basal in a fan and 2 on upper
half of the stem, produced the summer before flowering, ± dry at flowering.
Flowers fairly small, tube ± 10 mm long, usually windowed between the
large upper lobe and the smaller side-lobes, pale to deep reddish pink, lower
lobes with cream blotch edged red, bracts red-veined; in 12–18-flowered in-
clined inflorescence. General: inflorescences often emerge through dry grass.
KZN, LIM and MP.
Mountain grassland.
Spring.
IRIDACEAE
Hesperantha baurii Baker
H. baurii subsp. baurii

hesperos: evening, anthos: flower – refers to the many night-flowering spe-
cies; baurii: named after Leopold R. Baur (1825–1889), German-born
missionary and botanist.
Baur’s hesperantha (E)
Slender, erect, perennial herb, up to 500 mm tall. Corm round, chestnut-
coloured. Leaves 4, narrow, sheathing the flowering stem, 3 basal, straight,
firm, ± two-thirds as long as the stem. Flowers ± 25 mm in diameter, lobes
6, spreading, tube ± 9 mm long, bright magenta-pink, anthers yellow, style
branches thread-like; 5–12 in a lax inflorescence,
zigzag. Fruit a capsule, enclosed by the bracts.
Moist, open grassland.
Summer–autumn.
IRIDACEAE
Hesperantha brevicaulis (Baker) G.J.Lewis
brevicaulis: with a short stem.

Cormous herb, up to 200 mm tall. Corm conic; stem drooping, unbranched.
Leaves 4 or 5, long, ± 3 mm wide, fairly soft-textured. Flowers ± 35 mm in
diameter, lobes 6, spreading; tube cylindrical, ± 15 mm long, mauve-pink,
pale yellow in the mouth of the tube, anthers yellow, style branches thread-
like, loosely spreading; mostly 2 or 3 together. Fruit a capsule, narrowly egg-
shaped. General: endemic to the eastern escarpment.
LIM and MP.
On rocks and cliffs, in damp moss.
Autumn.
IRIDACEAE
IRIDACEAE
Hesperantha coccinea ( Backh. & Harv.) Goldblatt & J.C.Manning

(= Schizostylis coccinea)
coccinea: scarlet.
Scarlet river lily, crimson flag (E); rooirivierlelie (A)
Cormous perennial herb, up to 600 mm tall. In clumps. Leaves several,
narrow, basal. Flowers shiny, ± 65 mm in diameter, showy, usually scarlet,
sometimes pink or white, style splitting at the mouth into 3 long, spreading,
thread-like branches; 6–8 in a terminal inflorescence. Fruit a capsule. Gen-
eral: pollinated by large butterflies and long-
tongued flies.
Marshy grassland, stream banks.
Summer.
IRIDACEAE
Tritonia nelsonii Baker
triton: weathercock – refers to the variable positions of the stamens; nel-

sonii: named after William Nelson (1852–1922), who collected in the
former Transvaal.
Orange tritonia (E); hoëveld kalossie (A)
Slender, erect perennial herb, up to 500 mm tall. Leaves spreading in a fan,
midrib prominent. Flowers funnel-shaped, tube ± 16 mm long, orange to
red, delicately veined, lower lobes each with a yellow, tooth-like crest, style
dividing into 3 short branches; many in a simple or branched inflorescence.
General: corms are eaten, often roasted.
GP, LIM and MP.
Rocky grassland.
Summer.
IRIDACEAE
Watsonia transvaalensis Baker
Watsonia: named after William Watson (1715–1787), English physician

and naturalist; transvaalensis: from the former Transvaal.
Watsonia (E); suurkanol (A)
Robust, erect herb, up to 800 mm tall. In clumps. Corm round, covered with
fibres; stem rarely branched. Leaves ± 4, basal, tough, long, narrow, midrib
prominent, margins yellow. Flowers funnel-shaped, ± 70 mm long, tube
curved, flowers facing to side, lobes spreading, magenta-pink, each with a
central dark pink stripe, style with 3 forked branches; ± 16 on a flowering
stem. General: flowering en masse; endemic to
the northeastern escarpment.
LIM.
Summer–autumn.
IRIDACEAE
LAMIACEAE
Leonotis intermedia Lindl.
leon: lion, otis: ear – refers to the shape and furry texture of the flowers;
intermedia: intermediate between L. leonurus and L. nepetifolia.
Minaret-flower (E); wildedagga (A); senopi (S)
Slender shrub, up to 2 m tall. In colonies. Stems many from a woody base,
erect. Leaves egg- to lance-shaped, opposite, velvety, margins bluntly
toothed, on long stalks. Flowers tubular, ± 40 mm long, 2-lipped, orange to
reddish, velvety-hairy, calyx sharply toothed; in dense, widely spaced whorls
on upper stem. General: the plant has no narcotic properties. Nectar attracts
sunbirds.
Grassland, rocky outcrops.
Summer–autumn.
LAMIACEAE
Ocimum tubiforme (R.D.Good) A.J.Paton
(= Orthosiphon tubiformis)
Ocimum: classical Greek name for the genus; tubiforme: trumpet-shaped
– refers to the flowers.
Shrub, up to 900 mm tall. Stems long, slender, branched. Leaves elliptic,
margins finely toothed. Flowers whitish to pale or deep mauve; tube con-
spicuous, straight, cylindrical, up to 35 mm long; upper lip erect, lower
lip concave; stamens and thread-like style protruding from the throat; in
whorls of 3–6, in terminal inflorescences, spike-like, lax. General: occurs
in relatively dry areas, common on dolomite; at
medium altitudes.
LIM and MP.
Rocky slopes.
Summer–autumn.
LINDERNIACEAE
Craterostigma wilmsii Engl. ex Diels
kratero: crater, cup-shaped, stigma: stigma – refers to the cup-like stigma;

wilmsii: named after Friedrich Wilms (1848–1919), German apothe-
cary who collected plants in South Africa.
Mole’s spectacles (E)
Small, perennial erect herb, up to 200 mm tall. In colonies. Rootstock
woody. Leaves paddle-shaped, in basal rosette. Flowers ± 10 mm long,
tubular, 2-lipped; upper lip hooded; lower 3-lobed, bright pink, stamens in
2 pairs, 2 filaments attached to yellow blotches on lower lip and curved
around upper lip (resembling spectacles), calyx
5-toothed, bracts opposite; inflorescence sim-
ple or branched, hairy.
Rocky grassland, seasonally wet rock sheets.
Spring–summer.
LAMIACEAE
MALVACEAE
Hermannia cristata Bolus
Hermannia: named after Paul Hermann (1646–1695), German botanist,

one of the first collectors at the Cape; cristata: crested – refers to the
fruit.
Crested doll’s rose (E); poprosie (A)
Small perennial herb, up to 300 mm tall. Rootstock woody; stems erect,
unbranched. Leaves lance-shaped, ± stalkless, margins toothed. Flowers
nodding, bell-shaped, ± 9 mm in diameter, 5 lobes which are spirally twist-
ed into an upended rose, reddish orange, calyx reddish purple; solitary on
stalks up to 50 mm long, in upper leaf axils.
Fruit large, 5-angled, with long crests.
MALVACEAE
Hermannia denudata L.f.
H. denudata var. erecta (N.E.Br.) Burtt Davy & Greenway

denudata: denuded; having leaves or hairs worn away; erecta: upright.
Rosebud hermannia (E)
Straggly, slender shrublet, up to 1 m tall. Stems and leaves usually roughly
hairy; stems not always erect. Leaves narrowly lance-shaped, ± stalkless,
stipules leafy, margins often irregularly toothed in upper half. Flowers re-
semble miniature rosebuds, ± 8 mm long, lobes spiralling, overlapping,
yellow, orange and red, calyx with short trian-
gular lobes; few clustered on upper part of long,
thin branches.
LIM and MP.
Mountains.
Autumn–spring.
MALVACEAE
Hermannia depressa N.E.Br.
depressa: flattened from above – refers to the growth habit.

Roadside doll’s rose (E); rooi-opslag (A)
Creeping, perennial herb. Forming patches. Taproot woody; stems and leaves
± flat on the ground. Leaves egg-shaped, margins bluntly toothed, usually
tinged reddish brown to purplish. Flowers nodding, bell-shaped with flaring
lobes, ± 10 mm long, variable in colour, orange-yellow with pink or reddish
flush, lobes often with darker veins; in 2-flowered inflorescences, on stalks
± 25 mm long, ± erect, in leaf axils. Fruit a thinly hairy capsule.
Grassland, disturbed areas.
Spring–summer.
MALVACEAE
MALVACEAE
Pavonia columella Cav.
Pavonia: named after José A. Pavón (1754–1840), Spanish botanist; colu-

mella: small pillar – possibly refers to the style.
Pink pavonia (E)
Erect to spreading, leafy shrub, up to 1.5 m tall. Stems stout; plant hairy.
Leaves heart-shaped at base, 3–5-lobed, margins toothed, stalked; aromat-
ic. Flowers 5-lobed, ± 30 mm in diameter, style with 10 branches, pale
mauve, pink or rose, calyx lobes conspicuously 3-veined; in clusters in upper
leaf axils. Fruit a capsule, ± 4 mm in diameter, round, enclosed in the calyx.
Forest margins, riverine bush.
Summer–autumn.
MELASTOMATACEAE
Dissotis canescens (E.Mey. ex R.A.Graham) Hook.f.
dissos: of 2 kinds – refers to 2 different anther types; canescens: with

greyish white hairs.
Wild tibouchina (E); wilde tibouchina (A)
Erect shrub, up to 1.5 m tall. In colonies. Stems reddish brown. Leaves op-
posite, elliptic, distinctly 3–5-veined from base, hard, green above, whitish
below. Flowers large, showy, ± 40 mm in diameter, brilliant magenta, 2 sets
of conspicuous stamens, 5 short and yellow, the other 5 longer and pink; in
clusters near tips of stems. Fruit: a capsule, included in a persistent calyx.
Marshy situations, mainly along streams.
Summer–autumn.
MYROTHAMNACEAE
Myrothamnus flabellifolius Welw.
myron: perfume, thamnos: bush; flabellifolia: with fan-shaped leaves.

Resurrection plant (E); bergboegoe (A); makgonatšohle, tsoga (S)
Much-branched, aromatic shrublet, up to 600 mm tall. Leaves fan-shaped,
toothed along the upper margins, stalkless, in opposite pairs. Flowers red-
dish, male and female flowers on different plants; clustered in catkin-like,
terminal inflorescences; ± 10 mm long. General: widely used in traditional
medicine; plant contains a bactericidal compound. During a dry period, the
plant appears to die, revives within hours after rain.
Large rock outcrops, in shallow soil pockets.
Summer–autumn.
MALVACEAE
ORCHIDACEAE
Disa aristata H.P.Linder
Disa: named after Queen Disa, of a Swedish legend; aristata: with an awn
– refers to the bristle-like appendages on flower lobes.
Slender, erect or flexuous herb, up to 310 mm tall. Leaves 3–5 on stem, soft,
spreading, sheathing, narrowly lance-shaped, grading into bracts. Flowers
pale to deep pink, outer surface often darker pink, spur horizontal, cylin-
drical, ± 13 mm long; side lobes strap-shaped, ± 20 mm long, with long,
fine, hair-like points; inflorescence laxly 10–18-flowered, shoot inclined at
± 45°. General: endemic to the Wolkberg, at altitudes of 1 500–2 000 m.
LIM.
Rocky ledges, rock crevices.
Summer.
ORCHIDACEAE
Disa extinctoria Rchb.f.
ex: through, tinctorum: of the cloth dyers – refers to the scarlet of the flow-
ers that appears to have been achieved by dyeing.
Slender herb, up to 400 mm tall. Leaves 8–12 on flowering stem, decreasing
in size upwards, grading into bracts; in addition, 2 or 3 on a separate shoot,
semi-erect. Flowers small, ± 5 mm across, facing downwards, brilliant scar-
let; spur curved downwards; inflorescence elongated, dense, 30–70-flow-
ered. General: occurs at altitudes of 1 000–1 600 m.
LIM and MP.
Damp grassland, vleis.
Summer.
ORCHIDACEAE
Disa fragrans Schltr.
fragrans: fragrant.
Fragrant disa (E); lekkerruik-disa (A)
Herb, up to 300 mm tall. In small colonies. Leaves usually with purple

markings, 4–9 on flowering stem, decreasing in size upwards, grading into
bracts; in addition, mostly 2 on a separate shoot. Flowers ± 8 mm in diam-
eter, spur up to 10 mm long, white or yellow to tan, often suffused reddish
pink, mottled, strongly scented; many in dense, cylindrical inflorescence.
General: pollinated by bees, flies and beetles.
Grassland in full sun.
Summer–autumn.
ORCHIDACEAE
ORCHIDACEAE
Disa patula Sond.
D. patula var. transvaalensis Summerh.

patula: spreading outwards – possibly refers to the side lobes extending
forward and outwards; transvaalensis: from the former Transvaal.
Erect, slender, perennial herb, up to 490 mm tall. Rootstock tuberous; stem
stout. Leaves on stem, narrowly lance-shaped, alternate, sheathing stem,
passing upwards into bracts. Flowers small, pale pink to pink with tiny pur-
plish spots; spur pointed, horizontal, ± 10 mm long; inflorescence fairly lax-
ly 14–50-flowered, narrower than 35 mm. General: scattered across slopes.
Grassland.
Summer.
ORCHIDACEAE
Disa polygonoides Lindl.
polygonoides: resembling the genus Polygonum in the Polygonaceae family;

allusion unclear.
Honey disa (E)
Moderately robust herb, up to 400 mm tall. Leaves narrow, 6–25 on flower-
ing stem, decreasing in size upwards, separate shoot rarely developed. Flow-
ers ± 10 mm in diameter, spur abruptly hanging down, bright orange-red;
many in dense inflorescence, cylindrical, somewhat tapering, up to 170 mm
long. General: relatively common along the eastern coast, also some inland
localities.
Damp grassland, marshy areas.
Summer.
ORCHIDACEAE
Disa versicolor Rchb.f.
versicolor: variously coloured or changing colour – refers to the differently

coloured flower parts or the colour change from bud stage to open flower.
Apple-blossom orchid (E)
Herb, up to 500 mm tall. Rootstock tuberous. Leaves 6–15 on flowering
stem, sheathing; in addition, usually 5 on a separate shoot, robust. Flowers
± 8 mm across, yellowish through brown to red when open; spur abruptly
curved downwards, usually hidden by bract longer than flowers; buds pink;
inflorescence elongated, relatively dense, 50–105-flowered. General: occurs
from ± sea level to 2 400 m.
Damp to dry grassland.
Summer.
ORCHIDACEAE
ORCHIDACEAE
Satyrium longicauda Lindl.
of horn-like spurs on the lip; longicauda: long-tailed.
Blushing bride orchid (E); langsterttrewwa (A)
Erect, perennial herb, up to 500 mm tall. Rootstock tuberous. Leaves 1 or 2,
on separate shoot next to flowering stem. Flowers variable in colour, white to
pink; sweetly scented; lip uppermost, hooded, with prominent, erect, hairy
flap; spurs 2, ± 30 mm long, partly hidden behind bracts; bracts bent down-
wards; inflorescence 15–60-flowered, lax, elongated. General: pollinated by
hawkmoths. For white-flowered form see p. 93.
Open damp grassland.
Summer.
ORCHIDACEAE
Satyrium neglectum Schltr.
S. neglectum subsp. neglectum

neglectum: neglected – possibly refers to this species having been over-
looked by botanists.
Pink candle orchid (E)
Slender to robust perennial herb, up to 600 mm tall. Leaves usually 2, up to
300 mm long, on separate shoot next to flowering stem. Flowers pink or deep
rose-pink, lip uppermost, flap bent backwards, hairless, spurs ± 13 mm
long, hidden behind bracts; fragrant; inflorescence 45–100-flowered, elon-
gated, showy. General: scattered on slopes at altitudes of 1 200–2 000 m.
Between-year flowering pattern of ground or-
chids is irregular and unpredictable.
Grassland on damp slopes.
Summer.
OROBANCHACEAE
Cycnium racemosum Benth.
kyknos: swan – probably refers to the slender, elongated flower tube; race-
mosum: with flowers borne on stalks along a central axis.
Large mountain ink flower (E); berginkplant (A)
Slender, erect perennial herb, up to 600 mm tall. Stem ribbed, usually un-
branched; partially parasitic on roots of other plants; roughly hairy. Leaves
± lance-shaped, sharply toothed in upper part. Flowers showy, ± 55 mm in
diameter, trumpet-shaped, pink or white, calyx cylindrical, ribbed, with short
teeth; fragrant; in terminal inflorescence. General: turning dark in drying.
Grassland.
Summer.
ORCHIDACEAE
OROBANCHACEAE
Striga elegans Benth.
striga: swathe or furrow, allusion unclear; elegans: graceful.

Elegant witchweed (E); groot mielierooiblom (A)
Slender, erect herb, up to 300 mm tall. Parasitic on grasses; plant roughly
hairy. Leaves stiff, erect, narrow, opposite. Flowers ± 17 mm long, tubular,
2-lipped, upper lip bent backwards, lower lip 3-lobed, slightly longer than
upper, spreading, yellow or red with yellow in the throat; solitary in axils of
bracts, in close-set, terminal inflorescence. General: for yellow-flowered form
see p. 165.
Grassland.
Summer–autumn.
OXALIDACEAE
*Oxalis latifolia Kunth
oxys: acid, als: salt – refers to the oxalic acid content; latifolia: broad-
leaved.
Pink garden sorrel (E); suring (A)
Perennial herb, up to 250 mm tall. Bulb with numerous bulbils; runners;
stems clumped. Leaves with three leaflets, triangular, notched, large, up to
50 mm wide, folded; on long, slender stalks. Flowers ± 15 mm in diameter,
5-lobed, pink or mauve with green throat; in 5–20-flowered clusters, on long
stalks. General: troublesome weed, indigenous to South America.
Disturbed areas, moist and shady places.
Summer–autumn.
PAPAVERACEAE
Papaver aculeatum Thunb.
Papaver: Latin name for the poppy; aculeatum: prickly – refers to the stems
and leaves.
Orange poppy (E); doringpapawer, wildepapawer (A)
Erect annual herb, up to 900 mm tall. Plant covered in yellowish spines;
sap milky. Leaves basal and on stems, deeply lobed and toothed. Flowers
saucer-shaped, ± 50 mm in diameter, petals crinkly, orange to salmon-pink,
nodding in bud; solitary, on long stalks, in terminal inflorescence. Fruit a
ribbed capsule. General: the only Papaver species indigenous to the southern
hemisphere.
Disturbed places, riverbeds, vleis.
Summer.
OROBANCHACEAE
PASSIFLORACEAE
Adenia digitata (Harv.) Engl.
aden: gland – refers to glands on the leaf stalk; digitata: fingered, hand-like.
Wild granadilla (E); bobbejaangif (A); makgopo (S); dundu (V)
Perennial climber, stems up to 2 m long. Tuber fleshy. Leaves variable,
stalked; variously lobed, greyish green below. Flowers tubular, ± 15 mm
long, cream-coloured to greenish; male and female on different plants, in
clusters, ending in a tendril; in leaf axils. Fruit hanging, egg-shaped, red to
magenta. General: leaves cooked as spinach; fruit poisonous to humans. For
cream flowers see p. 166.
Rocky and grassy places, bushveld.
Spring–summer.
PEDALIACEAE
Sesamum triphyllum Welw. ex Asch.
Sesamum: the classical Greek name for sesame; triphyllum: 3-leaved.

Wild sesame (E); wildesesam (A)
Slender, erect perennial herb, up to 1.5 m tall. Stem sparsely branched.
Leaves opposite, variable, often narrowly 3–5-lobed. Flowers ± 40 mm
long, funnel-shaped, tube widening at the mouth, 5-lobed, pink to mauve
with a reddish throat, nodding; solitary, in leaf axils. Fruit a capsule, erect,
ribbed, cylindrical with a pointed tip. General: strong smell when crushed.
Used in traditional medicine for various ailments.
PHYLLANTHACEAE
Phyllanthus parvulus Sond.
P. parvulus var. parvulus

phyllon: leaf, anthos: flower, in some species the flowers are borne on leaf-
like branches; parvulus: very small.
Dye bush (E); kleurbossie (A)
Perennial dwarf herb, up to 250 mm tall. Taproot woody; branches finely
hairy, slender, spreading. Leaves stalkless, egg-shaped to elliptic, margins red,
stipules awl-shaped; arranged in 2 opposite rows close to the branch. Flowers
± 3 mm in diameter, creamy red; male and female flowers on the same plant,
in leaf axils, hanging below branches. Fruit a
capsule. General: var. garipensis (E.Mey. ex
Drège) Radcl.-Sm. has hairless branches.
Bushveld, grassy slopes.
Spring–summer.
PASSIFLORACEAE
POLYGONACEAE
Oxygonum sinuatum (Hochst. & Steud. ex Meisn.) Dammer
oxys: sharp, gonia: angle; sinuatum: strongly waved – refers to the leaf
margins.
Dubbeltjie (A)
Annual, semi-erect to spreading herb, up to 300 mm tall. Taproot; stems
grooved. Leaves deeply lobed, margins reddish, sheaths near leaf base with
long reddish bristles. Flowers ± 5 mm long, 5-lobed, white with pinkish
tinge; 2–4 together, widely spaced in terminal inflorescences, spike-like.
Fruit a nut, 3-angled with a sharp spine from each angle. General: wide
distribution in eastern Africa from Sudan south-
wards.
Grassland, rocky or disturbed areas.
Summer.
POLYGONACEAE
Persicaria madagascariensis (Meisn.) S.Ortiz & Paiva
(= P. attenuata)
persicum: peach, -aria: pertaining to – refers to the leaves; madagascarien-
sis: from Madagascar.
Bristly snakeroot (E); slangwortel (A)
Robust, perennial herb, up to 1.5 m tall. In large colonies. Stems reddish
green, erect or straggling. Leaves alternate, lance-shaped, tapering into a
very long point; sheaths near the leaf base fringed with long, hard bristles.
Flowers small, white to pale pink, pinkish red when in bud; inflorescences
terminal, dense, ± 60 mm long. Fruit a nut,
3-angled, tiny.
Moist areas, along rivers and streams.
Summer.
POLYGONACEAE
*Rumex acetosella L.
Rumex: Latin name for culinary sorrel; acetosus: sour, -ella: diminutive, a
little sour.
Sheep sorrel (E); steenboksuring (A)
Slender, erect, perennial herb, up to 500 mm tall. Rhizome spreading.
Leaves arrowhead-shaped, on long stalks, in a basal tuft. Flowers small,
cup-shaped, red; in whorls on terminal, much-branched inflorescence. Fruit
a light brown nut, 3-angled, 1 mm long. General: leaves have a tart taste and
culinary uses. Introduced from Europe, weed in South Africa.
Disturbed areas.
Spring–summer.
POLYGONACEAE
POLYGONACEAE
Rumex sagittatus Thunb.
sagittatus: arrowhead-shaped – refers to the leaves.

Climbing sorrel (E); klimsuring (A); motshikwane (S)
Perennial climber, stems long, sometimes tinted coral-red, trailing on vegeta-
tion. Tuber up to 100 mm long. Leaves arrow-shaped, on long slender stalks.
Flowers tiny, pale green, inconspicuous; inflorescences branched, large. Fruit
pale green to coppery red, 3-winged, papery, ± 10 mm in diameter, remain-
ing on the plant for some time. General: traditional aphrodisiac; also used
as a culinary herb.
Grassland, bushveld, forest margins, stream
banks.
Summer–autumn.
PROTEACEAE
Faurea rochetiana (A.Rich.) Chiov. ex Pic.Serm.
Faurea: named after William C. Faure (1822–1844), South African botanist;

rochetiana: named after Rochet d’Hèricourt (1801–1854), French botanist.
Broad-leaved beech (E); breëblaarboekenhout (A); mohlako (S); mutango
(V)
Small to medium-sized deciduous tree, 4–7 m tall. Main stem with thick
bark, deeply furrowed. Leaves broadly lance-shaped, lower surface velvety
hairy, veins conspicuous on both surfaces. Flowers cream, yellow-orange to
brownish pink, sweetly scented; in large hanging spikes, up to 250 mm long.
stomach noises, diarrhoea and ear infections.
KZN, LIM and MP.
Winter–spring.
PROTEACEAE
Protea caffra Meisn.
P. caffra subsp. caffra

Protea: named after the Greek god Proteus; caffra: from Caffraria, an old
name for the Eastern Cape.
Sugarbush (E); suikerbos (A); moswikiri (S); tshididiri (V)
Shrub or gnarled tree, up to 3 m tall. Bark deeply furrowed, grey to black.
Leaves long, narrow, hairless, stalkless, leathery, dull grey-green. Flower
heads ± 75 mm in diameter, bowl-shaped, surrounded by creamy green,
pink or dark red bracts. General: occurring with P. roupelliae. Used in tra-
ditional medicine to treat stomach complaints.
For cream-flowered form see p. 97.
Rocky slopes in grassland.
Summer.
POLYGONACEAE
PROTEACEAE
Protea roupelliae Meisn.
P. roupelliae subsp. roupelliae

roupelliae: named after Arabella E. Roupell (1817–1914), Cape botanical
artist.
Silver sugarbush (E); silwersuikerbos (A); moswikiri (S); tshididiri (V)
Rounded, gnarled tree, up to 4 m tall. Main stem short; bark thick, furrowed,
blackish; lower branches sparsely leaved. Leaves clustered at the ends of
branches, curved upwards, ± stalkless, narrow, silvery hairy when young.
Flower heads ± 90 mm in diameter, goblet-shaped; surrounding bracts hairy;
inner bracts spoon-shaped, cream to pink or
red; solitary, terminal. General: bark used in tra-
ditional medicine to treat stomach complaints.
Rocky slopes and ridges.
Autumn–winter.
PROTEACEAE
Protea rubropilosa Beard
rubropilosa: with soft red hairs – refers to the unopened velvety bud.
Transvaal sugarbush (E); platorand-suikerbos (A); segwapi (S)
Small, gnarled tree, up to 4 m tall. Main stem thick; bark black, flaking;
branches spreading. Leaves large, dark green, hairless, leathery, stalkless,
midrib reddish. Flower heads ± 80 mm in diameter, showy; bracts crimson,
outer surface velvety, red-brown; flowers red and white, protruding from the
bracts. General: forming open woodlands with P. roupelliae, at altitudes of
1 400–2 300 m, restricted to the escarpment between the Wolkberg and
Blyde River Canyon.
LIM and MP.
Mountain slopes.
Spring.
PROTEACEAE
Protea simplex E.Phillips
simplex: simple – refers to the unbranched stems.

Dwarf grassland sugarbush (E); slanksuikerbos (A)
Multi-stemmed dwarf shrub, up to 1 m tall. Rootstock large, woody; stems
numerous, unbranched, slender, 2–5 mm in diameter, erect, pinkish when
young. Leaves stalkless, hairless. Flower heads ± 50 mm in diameter, shal-
lowly bowl-shaped, surrounding bracts hairless, green to pink to carmine;
solitary, terminal. Fruit a hairy nutlet. General: occasionally hybridises with
P. caffra.
Grassland.
Summer (after fire).
PROTEACEAE
RANUNCULACEAE
Clematis villosa DC.
C. villosa subsp. stanleyi (Hook.) Kuntze (= Clematopsis scabiosifolia)

klema: a vine; villosa: softly hairy; stanleyi: named after Edward G.G.S.
Stanley (1799–1869), English statesman.
Pluimbossie, veerbossie (A)
Robust, erect shrublet, up to 1 m tall. Rootstock woody; plant silvery hairy
throughout. Leaves deeply divided, each lobe further divided. Flowers droop-
ing, large, ± 40 mm in diameter, 4-lobed, white to deep pink, stamens
many, yellow; sweetly scented; solitary, terminal. Fruit with long, feathery
styles, fluffy. General: seeds wind dispersed. In
sandy soil.
GP, LIM and NW.
Rocky grassland, open bushveld.
Summer.
ROSACEAE
*Cotoneaster sp.
cotoneum: quince, -aster: somewhat resembling; similar to a quince.
Cotoneaster (E); pronkbessie (A)
Rounded shrub, up to 3 m tall. Stems many; branches arching; without
spines. Leaves alternate, often green and hairless above, white and densely
hairy below. Flowers ± 10 mm in diameter, pinkish or white. Fruit showy,
orange-red or dull deep red, ± round, in clusters. General: indigenous to
China, introduced as an ornamental plant. Several species in southern Africa
which are difficult to identify accurately. Seeds dispersed by birds.
Widespread across more temperate areas of
SA.
Invades grassland, forest margins, riverbanks.
Spring–summer.
SCROPHULARIACEAE
Jamesbrittenia aurantiaca (Burch.) Hilliard
Jamesbrittenia: named after James Britten (1846–1924), British botanist;

aurantiaca: orange.
Cape saffron (E); saffraanbossie (A)
Small, bushy, aromatic perennial herb, up to 300 mm tall. Rootstock woody;
stems much branched at base. Leaves deeply divided, thick textured, glis-
tening glands on upper surface, in tufts. Flowers tubular, ± 12 mm long,
5-lobed, colour variable, orange, red, pink or brownish; calyx 5-lobed ± to
base; solitary, on long stalks, in leaf axils.
Sandy or stony places, nevertheless damp or
even marshy.
Spring–summer.
RANUNCULACEAE
SCROPHULARIACEAE
Nemesia fruticans (Thunb.) Benth.
Nemesia: ancient Greek name for a similar plant; fruticans: becoming

shrubby.
Leeubekkie (A)
Slender, erect herb, up to 300 mm tall. Taproot woody; branched from base,
stems and branches 4-angled. Leaves narrowly lance-shaped, toothed,
denser on lower stem. Flowers small, snapdragon-like, upper lip 4-lobed,
± 6 mm long, lower lip 2-lobed, pink, blue or white with a yellow hump on
the lower lip, with a spur, ± 3 mm long, straight; few in lax, terminal inflo-
rescences. Fruit: a capsule.
Spring–summer.
SCROPHULARIACEAE
Phygelius aequalis Harv. ex Hiern
phugo: to shun, helios: the sun – refers to the shaded habitat; aequalis:
equal.
River bells, wild fuchsia (E); rivierklokkie (A)
Shrublet, up to 1 m tall. Woody at base; stems 4-angled. Leaves opposite,
elliptic, margins toothed. Flowers trumpet-shaped, ± 40 mm long, with 5
short, slightly flaring lobes, nodding, red to pink, yellow inside, stamens and
style protruding; calyx 5-lobed; inflorescence tall, branched, up to 300 mm
long. Fruit a capsule. General: occurs at high altitudes; pollinated by sun-
birds.
Stream banks.
Summer–autumn.
TURNERACEAE
Tricliceras longepedunculatum (Mast.) R.Fern.
tri: 3, kleis: bolt, ceras: horn – refers to the 3 styles; longepedunculatum:

having a long stalk.
Lion’s eye (E)
Perennial herb, up to 350 mm tall. Rootstock long, woody; stems 1 to sev-
eral, simple or branched, erect, hairy and with scattered dark red bristles.
Leaves long, narrow, usually with narrowly triangular, spreading segments
near the base, stalkless, midrib below with bristles. Flowers ± 25 mm in
diameter, 5-lobed, bright orange-red; inflorescences 4–12-flowered; flowers
opening one after the other. Fruit a pod-shaped
cylindrical capsule.
LIM and MP.
Dry bushveld, roadsides.
Summer.
SCROPHULARIACEAE
VERBENACEAE
*Lantana camara L.
Lantana: an ancient name for Viburnum, which this genus resembles; ca-
mara: vaulted chamber.
Common lantana (E); gewone lantana (A); sebabane (S)
Scrambling shrub, up to 2 m tall. Forming impenetrable thickets. Stems
prickly, much branched. Leaves foul-smelling when crushed. Flowers small,
colour variable, pink, red, orange, yellow; in dense clusters, ± 30 mm in
diameter, flowers open successively towards the cluster centre. Fruit black-
ish, fleshy, round; eaten by birds and monkeys. General: introduced as an
ornamental plant from South America. Used in
traditional medicine to treat hypertension.
Invades disturbed areas, forest margins.
VITACEAE
Cyphostemma oleraceum (Bolus) J.J.M.van der Merwe
(= Cissus oleraceus)
kyphos: bent, stemma: wreath; oleraceum: of the vegetable garden – refers
to the cabbage-like leaves.
Robust, trailing herb, stems up to 2 m long. Leaves large, up to
220 × 240 mm, pale bluish green, thick, fleshy, ± circular in outline, mar-
gins toothed, ± stalkless, erect along stem. Flowers yellowish, 4 petals,
3 mm long, soon bending downward and falling off; with reddish stalks;
inflorescences in leaf axils. Fruit egg-shaped, ± 15 mm long, smooth, dark
purple when ripe. General: cultivated by succu-
lent plant collectors.
LIM and MP.
Bushveld.
Summer.
VITACEAE
Cyphostemma woodii (Gilg & M.Brandt) Desc.

Zulu-Natal.
Hairy grape bush (E); jakkalsdruif (A); mapata (S)
Dwarf shrub, up to 1 m tall. Rootstock large, tuberous. Stems, inflorescences
and leaflets densely covered with glands. Leaves with ± 5 stalkless leaf-
lets, margins toothed; tendrils sometimes present, opposite a leaf. Flowers
small, petals 4, yellow, falling off soon; inflorescences branched. Fruit a ber-
ry, ± 12 mm long, red when ripe, hairy, edible. General: used in traditional
medicine to treat urinary tract infections.
KZN, LIM and MP.
Grassland.
Spring–summer.
VERBENACEAE
Blue/purple/mauve
ACANTHACEAE
Ruellia cordata Thunb.
Ruellia: named after Jean de la Ruelle (1474–1537), French botanist and

physician; cordata: with two equal rounded lobes at base – refers to the
leaf shape.
Veld violet (E)
Perennial herb or shrublet, up to 200 mm tall. Rootstock woody; stems much
branched; hairy throughout. Leaves oval, often slightly heart-shaped at base,
stalks short. Flowers funnel-shaped, ± 20 mm in diameter, 5-lobed, tube
longer than lobes, pale mauve or white with purple streaks, stamens 4, 2
pairs of unequal length, calyx ± 2-lipped; soli-
tary on upper branches.
Spring–summer.
ACANTHACEAE
Thunbergia natalensis Hook.
Thunbergia: named after Carl P. Thunberg (1743–1828), Swedish botanist

and physician, student of Linnaeus; natalensis: from KwaZulu-Natal.
Natal bluebell, blue thunbergia (E); dwergthunbergia (A)
Erect shrublet, up to 1 m tall. Rootstock woody; stems several, slender,
unbranched, 4-angled. Leaves opposite, almost stalkless, broadly elliptic.
Flowers large, ± 50 mm in diameter, tubular, lobes spreading, blue-mauve
with a yellowish white throat; bracts 2, veined conspicuously, hiding calyx;
solitary in leaf axils. Fruit a capsule, beaked.
Along margins of forest, bushveld and pine
plantations.
Spring–summer.
AGAPANTHACEAE
Agapanthus coddii F.M.Leight.
agape: love, anthos: flower – origin unknown; coddii: named after Leslie
E.W. Codd (1908–1999), South African botanist.
Waterberg agapanthus (E); Waterberg-bloulelie (A)
Robust, deciduous, perennial herb, up to 1 m tall. Rhizome with fleshy roots.
Leaves broad, strap-shaped, tips blunt. Flowers ± 35 mm long, open wide-
ly, lobes pale blue with a central dark blue stripe; stamens exposed, anthers
purple; many in an umbel. Fruit a capsule, seeds flat, black, winged. Gener-
al: endemic to the western Waterberg.
LIM.
Along streams, mountainsides.
Summer.
ACANTHACEAE
AGAPANTHACEAE
Agapanthus inapertus Beauverd
A. inapertus subsp. inapertus

inapertus: closed.
Drooping agapanthus (E); bloulelie (A); leta-la-phofu (S)
Deciduous, perennial herb, up to 1.5 m tall. In clumps. Leaves narrow,
strap-shaped. Flowers tubular, ± 35 mm long, lobes only slightly spreading;
buds erect to spreading, open flowers drooping, deep blue to violet (occa-
sionally white); in many-flowered umbel. General: used in traditional med-
icine to treat tuberculosis. Subsp. intermedius
F.M.Leight. differs in shape and size of flowers.
KZN, LIM and MP.
Grassland, damp slopes, stream sides.
Summer.
APOCYNACEAE
Raphionacme hirsuta (E.Mey.) R.A.Dyer
raphis: needle, akme: point – refers to the leaves ending in a sharp point;
hirsuta: hairy, although many plants are hairless.
False gentian (E); khadiwortel (A)
Perennial herb, up to 200 mm tall. Underground tuber ± 100 mm in diame-
ter, ± round. Sap milky. Leaves opposite, ± elliptic, ending in a sharp point,
veins lightly coloured, visible, midvein prominent below, secondary veins
parallel. Flowers ± 10 mm in diameter, star-shaped, bright magenta, purple
or deep pink, often before leaves. Fruit solitary or paired, up to 100 mm
long, spindle-shaped. General: porcupines eat
tubers.
Grassland.
ASTERACEAE
Athrixia elata Sond.
a-: without, thrixia: hair – refers to the absence of hairs on certain flower
parts; elata: tall.
Daisy-tea (E); wildetee (A); mothwathathaa (L)
Twiggy shrublet, up to 1 m tall. Stems slender, much branched. Leaves
long, very narrow, tapering to a sharp point, margins distinctly rolled under,
dark green above, white-felted below. Flower heads ± 15 mm in diameter,
rays pale to dark purple, disc flowers yellow, surrounded by ± 7 series of
bristle-tipped bracts; terminal, solitary or several together on short twigs.
General: leaves infused as tea.
Autumn.
AGAPANTHACEAE
ASTERACEAE
Athrixia phylicoides DC.
phylicoides: resembles the genus Phylica in the Rhamnaceae family.

Bush tea (E); beesbossie (A); mohlahlaila (L); mutshatshaila (V)
Leafy, sprawling shrublet, up to 1 m tall. Aromatic; stems much branched,
white-woolly. Leaves fairly dense, narrowly lance-shaped, tapering to a sharp
point, margins slightly rolled under; green, smooth, shiny above; white-felted
below. Flower heads ± 15 mm in diameter, rays mauve to purple, disc and
bracts as for A. elata; solitary, at tips of branches. General: used to make
hand brushes from which a medicinal tea is a by-product.
Grassland or forest margin scrub.
Autumn–winter.
ASTERACEAE
Felicia rosulata Yeo
felix: happy, cheerful – possibly refers to the bright flowers; rosulata: with
a leaf rosette.
Blue daisy (E)
Perennial herb, up to 250 mm tall. Clump forming. Stems hairy, unbranched.
Leaves in a basal rosette, flat on the ground, elliptic to egg-shaped, hairy;
stem leaves elliptic, stalkless. Flower heads ± 20 mm in diameter, rays blue
or mauve, spreading at first, later curving backwards, disc flowers yellow,
surrounded by 3 rows of bracts; solitary on stem. General: usually at alti-
tudes above 2 000 m.
Grassland.
Spring.
ASTERACEAE
Gymnanthemum corymbosum (L.f.) H.Rob.
(= Vernonia tigna)
gymnos: naked, anthos: flower – refers to the bare flower stalks; corymbo-
sum: with clusters of flowers.
Mountain vernonia (E); swartteebossie (A); phathaphathani (L)
Shrub, up to 1.5 m tall. Stems erect, branched in upper part. Leaves half
erect, margins coarsely toothed in upper half; distinctly two-coloured, dark
green hairless above, grey-hairy below. Flower heads small, comprising disc
flowers only, mauve to dark violet, fading to white; in terminal rounded clus-
ters, ± 30 mm in diameter. General: used in
traditional medicine.
Mountains, scrub on forest margins, some-
times open grassland.
Summer–autumn.
ASTERACEAE
ASTERACEAE
Gymnanthemum myrianthum (Hook.f.) H.Rob.
(= Vernonia myriantha)
myrianthum: with numerous flowers.
Eared vernonia (E); bloubittertee (A); motheba (S); mululudza (V)
Erect shrub, up to 3 m tall. Usually branched at base. Leaves alternate,
up to 300 mm long, elliptic, lobed towards the base, margins toothed, dull
green above, slightly paler below, stalk often with a pair of ear-shaped lobes
at the base. Flower heads ± 10 mm long, comprising disc flowers only,
pale mauve; many in large terminal dome-shaped clusters, ± 300 mm in
diameter. General: somewhat resembles the
introduced Solanum mauritianum (bugweed).
KZN, LIM and MP.
Forest margins.
Autumn–winter.
ASTERACEAE
Hilliardiella aristata (DC.) H.Rob.
(= Vernonia natalensis)
Hilliardia: named after Olive M. Hilliard (b. 1925), South African botanist,
-iella: diminutive; aristata: with an awn – refers to the bracts surround-
ing the flower heads.
Silver vernonia (E); aambeibos (A); mošuhla (S)
Perennial herb, up to 600 mm tall. In clumps. Rootstock woody; stems erect,
ribbed, usually unbranched, closely leafy. Leaves stalkless, shape variable,
mostly narrowly lance-shaped, both surfaces softly silvery hairy. Flower
heads ± 10 mm in diameter, frilly, comprising disc flowers only, purple-
violet; in a cluster at tip of each stem. General:
used in traditonal medicine to treat asthma.
Grassland.
Spring–summer.
ASTERACEAE
Hilliardiella elaeagnoides (DC.) Swelank. & J.C.Manning
(= Vernonia oligocephala)
elaeagnoides: resembling the genus Elaeagnus, mostly indigenous to Asia.
Bicoloured-leaved vernonia (E); maagtee (A); tselegani (L)
Erect, perennial herb, up to 600 mm tall. Often tufted; rootstock woody;
stems many, usually unbranched, ribbed. Leaves distinctly two-coloured,
dark green above, silvery hairy below, ± egg-shaped with a long point,
± stalkless, veins prominent below. Flower heads ± 10 mm long, com-
prising disc flowers only, purple; many in a cluster at tip of each stem. Gen-
eral: used medicinally for intestinal and other
ailments.
Grassland on mountainsides, rocky outcrops,
stream banks.
Spring–summer.
ASTERACEAE
ASTERACEAE
Hilliardiella hirsuta (DC.) H.Rob.
(= Vernonia hirsuta)
hirsuta: hairy.
Quilted-leaved vernonia (E); wildesonsoekertjie (A)
Perennial herb, up to 1 m tall. In colonies. Rootstock woody; stem erect,
unbranched, ribbed; plant hairy throughout. Leaves lance-shaped, thick,
quilted, veins sunken above, prominent below; grey-woolly below, stalkless,
clasping at base. Flower heads ± 8 mm in diameter, comprising disc flow-
ers only, magenta to purple; many in terminal,
branched clusters. General: flowers visited by
bees, butterflies and beetles.
Mountains, grassland, scrub on forest margins.
Spring–summer.
ASTERACEAE
Hilliardiella sutherlandii (Harv.) H.Rob.
(= Vernonia sutherlandii)
sutherlandii: named after Peter C. Sutherland (1822–1900), medical doc-
tor from Scotland, Surveyor-General of Natal and plant collector.
Erect, perennial herb, up to 500 mm tall. Rootstock woody; stems 1–sev-
eral, simple, rough, hairy, ribbed. Leaves stalkless, elliptic, margins sharply
toothed, both surfaces hairy; mainly on lower part of the stems, decreasing
in size upwards, almost leafless above. Flower heads ± 15 mm long, purple
or magenta, surrounding bracts narrow, pointed, velvety; several in branched
inflorescence. General: often in warm, dry river
valleys.
Grassland, thorn scrub.
Spring–summer.
ASTERACEAE
Litogyne gariepina (DC.) Anderb.
(= Epaltes gariepina)
litos: simple, smooth, gyne: woman, female; allusion unclear; gariepina:
from the Gariep area in the Northern Cape.
Dwarf sage (E), blougifbossie (A)
Bushy perennial herb, up to 500 mm tall. Stems winged, branched above.
Leaves lance-shaped, stalkless, gland-dotted, aromatic. Flower heads
± 5 mm in diameter, apparently comprising disc flowers only, tiny thread-like
ray flowers on the outside, pinkish purple; a few together in terminal clusters
on side branches. General: crushed leaves repel
insects.
Sandy grassland, open bushveld, roadsides.
ASTERACEAE
ASTERACEAE
Oocephala staehelinoides (Harv.) H.Rob. & Skvarla
(= Vernonia staehelinoides)
oo-: egg, -cephala: -headed; staehelinoides: resembling the genus Staehe-
lina in the Asteraceae family, named after Benedikt Staehelin, a Swiss
botanist in the early 18th century.
Bloutee (A)
Much-branched, perennial shrublet, up to 600 mm tall. Woody at base;
stems and leaves grey-green, hairy. Leaves long, very narrow, margins rolled
under. Flower heads ± 10 mm long, disc flowers only, purple, surrounding
bracts roundish, scale-like; on long stalks, soli-
tary, terminal or in axils of upper leaves.
Grassland on hillsides, rocky outcrops.
Autumn.
ASTERACEAE
Pseudopegolettia tenella (DC.) H.Rob., Skvarla & V.A.Funk
(= Vernonia galpinii)
pseudo-: false, pegolettia: origin unknown; tenella: delicate.
Perskwasbossie (A)
eral, erect, leafy, roughly hairy. Leaves alternate, lance-shaped, stalkless,
margins entire. Flower heads large, ± 25 mm in diameter, comprising disc
flowers only, purple; solitary, occasionally 3 or 4, at tip of stem. General:
probably bee pollinated.
Grassland.
Spring–summer.
ASTERACEAE
Senecio gerrardii Harv.
senex: old man – refers to whitish grey ring of hairs around the top of
the fruit; gerrardii: named after William T. Gerrard (circa 1831–1866),
plant collector in KwaZulu-Natal and Madagascar.
Robust, erect, perennial herb, up to 2 m tall. Plant hairy throughout; aro-
matic. Leaves large, divided, with large teeth on margins, upper leaves much
smaller, stalkless. Flower heads small, up to 12 mm long, comprising disc
flowers only, deep purplish blue; many in terminal, much-branched inflores-
cence.
Forest margin scrub or marshy hollows.
Summer–autumn.
ASTERACEAE
BORAGINACEAE
Cynoglossum hispidum Thunb.
kynos: dog, glossa: tongue – refers to the texture and shape of the leaves;
hispidum: bristly.
Hound’s tongue (E); beestongblaar, knoppiesklits (A)
Erect, sparsely branched, biennial herb, up to 600 mm tall. Plant covered

with short rough hairs. Leaves ± elliptic, mostly at the base, decreasing in
size upwards; stem leaves widely spaced. Flowers very small, ± 2 mm long,
bell-shaped, drooping, purple-red; in a loosely branched, terminal inflores-
cence, lengthening considerably in fruit. Fruit
with 4 nutlets, small hooked spines, stalk up
to 20 mm long.
Damp spots in grassland, disturbed places.
Spring–summer.
BRASSICACEAE
Heliophila rigidiuscula Sond.
helios: sun, philein: to love – refers to a sun-loving plant; rigidiuscula: rigid.

Grassland cross-flower (E); bloubekkie (A)
Slender, erect, perennial herb, up to 500 mm tall. Base woody. Leaves up
to 70 mm long, narrow, widely spaced. Flowers ± 15 mm in diameter, lobes
4, rounded, spreading, pink, mauve, blue or purple, veined, whitish at the
base; buds drooping; closing at night and in cool weather; several in terminal
inflorescence. Fruit pod-like, ± 50 mm long, beaked, stalk long.
Grassland.
Spring–summer.
CAMPANULACEAE
Wahlenbergia banksiana A.DC.
Wahlenbergia: named after Georg Wahlenberg (1780–1851), Swedish

professor of medicine and botany; banksiana: named after Joseph Banks
(1743–1829), English explorer and plant collector.
Perennial herb, up to 400 mm tall. Taproot; stems many, wiry, sparsely
branched, straggling, supported by other vegetation. Leaves alternate, small,
very narrow, stalkless, erect to spreading. Flowers ± 7 mm long, tube lobed
to less than half the length, 5-lobed, blue to white, on stalks up to 10 mm
long; solitary in upper leaf axils. Fruit a capsule.
Grassland.
Summer.
BORAGINACEAE
CAMPANULACEAE
Wahlenbergia brachiata (Adamson) Lammers
brachiata: alternate pairs of opposite arm-like branches at right angles to

each other.
Straggling perennial herb, stems many, up to 300 mm long, wiry. Root-
stock woody. Leaves ± 10 mm long, very narrow, margins minutely toothed,
spreading. Flowers ± 12 mm in diameter, star-shaped, lobes 5, spread-
ing, blue-violet or white, style protruding; solitary, on long stalks, in terminal
branched inflorescences with zigzag appearance. General: endemic to the
Wolkberg/Woodbush range.
LIM.
Mistbelt on mountains.
Summer.
CAMPANULACEAE
Wahlenbergia huttonii (Sond.) Thulin
huttonii: named after Henry Hutton (1825–1896), amateur botanist who

collected in the Cape.
Erect perennial herb, up to 350 mm tall. Rootstock woody; stems sever-
al, often unbranched. Leaves narrowly lance-shaped, stalkless, ± erect or
spreading, alternate, numerous, densely set. Flowers ± 10 mm long, deeply
split into 5 narrow lobes, blue or mauve; ± stalkless, erect, in small terminal
clusters. Fruit a capsule, with 3 cavities.
Grassland.
Summer–autumn.
CAMPANULACEAE
Wahlenbergia lycopodioides Schltr. & Brehmer
lycopodioides: resembling the genus Lycopodium, club moss – refers to the

growth habit.
Dwarf perennial herb, up to 80 mm tall. Mat-forming. Stems ± erect,
branched at base, dry leaves on lower part, densely leafy. Leaves alternate,
narrow. Flowers small, ± 5 mm long, tubular with 5 short lobes, curling
back, white or pale blue; calyx shorter than tube; on short stalks, several in
terminal clusters.
Mountain grassland, fissures of rocks.
Summer–autumn.
CAMPANULACEAE
CAMPANULACEAE
Wahlenbergia squamifolia Brehmer
squamifolia: with scale-like leaves.

Slender perennial herb, up to 300 mm tall. Rootstock woody; stems
erect to semi-erect, branched at base, densely leafy. Leaves erect, stalk-
less, stem-clasping, scale-like, narrow, 2–3 times as long as broad, tips
sharp-pointed. Flowers ± 10 mm long, tubular with 5 short lobes, blue or
purple; style and stamens as long as tube, calyx shorter than tube; on short
stalks, solitary in upper leaf axils. Fruit a capsule, ± 3 mm long.
Grassland.
Summer–autumn.
CAMPANULACEAE
Wahlenbergia undulata (L.f.) A.DC.
undulata: wavy – refers to the leaf margins.

African bluebell (E)
Loosely branched, perennial herb, up to 600 mm tall. Taproot well developed;
stems slender, erect. Leaves mostly in lower half, stalkless, lance-shaped,
margins wavy, toothed, midvein prominent below. Flowers ± 20 mm long,
bell-shaped, lobes 5, purple, blue, white or yellow; style 3-lobed; on stalks
up to 25 mm long, in lax, terminal inflorescences. Fruit a capsule, splitting
lengthwise. General: often in rocky or seasonally moist places.
Grassland.
Summer.
CAMPANULACEAE
Wahlenbergia virgata Engl.
virgata: twiggy, rod-like.

Lax, erect, perennial herb, up to 500 mm tall. Taproot woody; stems few;
branches many, slender, wiry. Leaves inconspicuous, few, small, often scale-
like, scattered on the stem. Flowers bell-shaped, 5-lobed, ± 10 mm long,
lobed to ± two-thirds of the length, style shorter than the petals; white,
pale blue or yellowish; solitary, on long stalks. Fruit a capsule. General: for
white-coloured form see p. 53.
Grassland, along streams, stony soil.
Spring–summer.
CAMPANULACEAE
CARYOPHYLLACEAE
Dianthus zeyheri Sond.
dios: divine, anthos: flower; zeyheri: named after Carl L.P. Zeyher (1799–
African carnation, wild pink (E); grasangelier (A)
Slender, perennial herb, up to 600 mm tall. Root carrot-like; stems woody
at base, branched. Leaves rigid, blue-green, narrow, stem leaves in pairs,
joined at the base into a short sheath, widely spaced. Flowers ± 25 mm in
diameter, petals 5, finely toothed, pale pink to mauve; stamens protruding;
calyx tube 5-toothed; solitary, at tips of branches.
Summer.
CLEOMACEAE
Cleome maculata (Sond.) Szyszyl.
Cleome: from a classical Greek plant name; maculata: spotted.

Spotted cleome (E)
Slender, erect, annual herb, up to 300 mm tall. Stem with longitudinal
grooves, branched. Leaves on long stalks, with 3–5 narrow leaflets. Flowers
± 15 mm long, pink to mauve, 2 upper petals with yellow band edged with
purple; stamens whisker-like, protruding; inflorescences lax, terminal. Fruit
a capsule, ± 70 mm long, narrow. General: also recorded from Botswana
and Zimbabwe.
Bushveld, rocky slopes, overgrazed veld.
Summer.
CLEOMACEAE
Cleome monophylla L.
monophylla: with a single leaf.

Spider flower (E); rusperbossie (A); shimbangana (L); sekalerothane (S)
Erect, annual herb, up to 500 mm tall. Stems with longitudinal grooves,
much branched, hairy. Leaves simple, basal leaves with stalks, upper often
stalkless. Flowers ± 10 mm long, pale pinkish mauve, 2 upper petals with
small yellow blotches edged with purple; stamens whisker-like; in terminal
inflorescences, elongating in fruit. Fruit a capsule, narrow, up to 100 mm
long, hairy. General: leaves used as a vegetable, seeds like mustard.
Warm dry areas, disturbed places.
Summer.
CARYOPHYLLACEAE
COMMELINACEAE
Commelina eckloniana Kunth
Commelina: named after Johan Commelin (1629–1692), Dutch botanist

who described South African plants; eckloniana: named after Christian
Ecklon (1795–1868), Danish pharmacist and botanist.
Ecklon’s commelina (E)
Perennial herb, stems up to 350 mm long, spreading, thinly hairy. Root-
stock knobbly with long, spindle-shaped roots. Leaves long, narrow, base
sheathing stem, widely spaced. Flowers ± 13 mm in diameter, 2 large pad-
dle-shaped upper petals, 1 small lower petal, blue, occasionally white; in
stalked, hairy bract. General: usually growing
in rocky habitats.
Grassland, bushveld, disturbed areas.
Spring–summer.
COMMELINACEAE
Cyanotis lapidosa E.Phillips
kyanos: blue, otis: an ear – refers to the colour and form of the petals;
lapidosa: rocky.
Perennial herb, up to 300 mm tall. In spreading colonies on rocks. Roots
thin. Leaves fleshy, hairy on both surfaces, sheathing at the base, clustered
on separate leafing shoots. Flowers small, purple, mauve to magenta; fila-
ments densely hairy, anthers bright yellow; in few-flowered clusters, in axils
of leaf-like, folded bracts, widely spaced along flowering stems, reddish pur-
ple, zigzag; slender inflorescences reclining.
Mountains, rocky ledges.
Summer.
COMMELINACEAE
Cyanotis speciosa (L.f.) Hassk.
speciosa: beautiful.
Doll’s powderpuff (E); bloupoeierkwassie (A)
Slender, perennial herb, up to 500 mm tall. Solitary or in small groups.
Rhizome well developed, swollen. Leaves basal, narrow, on separate leafing
shoot. Flowers ± 10 mm in diameter, pink, purple or blue, filaments densely
hairy, anthers bright yellow; 4–6 in tight, widely spaced clusters, in boat-
like bracts, on erect flowering stem. General: range extends from southern
Tanzania to South Africa.
Grassland.
Spring–summer.
COMMELINACEAE
COMMELINACEAE
Murdannia simplex (Vahl) Brenan
Murdannia: named after Murdan Aly, early 19th century expert on the Hi-
malayan flora; simplex: undivided, entire.
Perennial herb, up to 500 mm tall. In clumps. Leaves mostly basal, up to
200 mm long, narrow. Flowers ± 15 mm in diameter, 3 equal-sized petals,
mauve, filaments with dark blue hairs; opening in the afternoon, several
flowers open at once; in terminal branched inflorescence. Fruit a capsule,
3-valved. General: this genus has its greatest diversity in tropical Asia.
KZN, LIM and MP.
Stream banks, moist areas.
Spring–summer.
CONVOLVULACEAE
Ipomoea crassipes Hook.
ips: bindweed, Convolvulus species, homoios: resembling; crassipes: thick-

footed.
Wild morning glory (E); wildepatat, wildewinde (A)
Trailing or ± erect, perennial herb, stems up to 1 m long. Taproot tuberous,
large; all parts usually softly hairy. Leaves variable in shape and size. Flow-
ers showy, ± 50 mm in diameter, funnel-shaped, magenta or pink, calyx
lobes leaf-like, unequal, outer ones broader than inner, 2 small leaf-like
bracts below the calyx; lasting a short time; solitary, in leaf axils. Fruit a
capsule.
Grassland, bushveld, on sandy soil.
Spring–summer.
CONVOLVULACEAE
Ipomoea oblongata E.Mey. ex Choisy
(= Turbina oblongata)
oblongata: longer than broad.
Trailing, perennial herb, stems up to 2 m long, mostly angular, hairy. Root-
stock tuberous, large. Leaves ± erect, on stalks, egg-shaped to elliptical,
variable in shape and size, hairy on both surfaces, margins wavy, with fringe
of hairs. Flowers ± 55 mm in diameter, funnel-shaped, magenta, calyx lobes
leaf-like, ± equal, on erect stalks; 1–several, in leaf axils. Fruit a capsule,
leathery, 1–4-seeded. General: vigorous growth habit; root edible.
Grassland, bushveld, on wet and sandy soils.
Summer.
COMMELINACEAE
DROSERACEAE
Drosera dielsiana Exell & J.R.Laundon
droseros: dewy – refers to dewy leaf glands; dielsiana: named after Fried-
rich L.E. Diels (1874–1945), German botanist who travelled in South
Africa.
Sundew (E)
Slender herb, up to 200 mm tall. Roots few, thin. Leaves in basal rosette;
tip rounded, tapering below, stalkless; with sticky, gland tipped hairs which
trap small insects. Flowers ± 10 mm in diameter, petals 5, pink, mauve or
white; opening one at a time, in bright sunlight; several on long wiry stem,
tip coiled at first. Fruit a capsule, enclosed in
persistent calyx.
Mountain summits.
Summer.
FABACEAE
Desmodium setigerum (E.Mey.) Benth. ex Harv.
desmodion: a small chain – refers to the jointed seed pods; setigerum:

bearing bristles.
Slender trailing perennial herb, stems up to 1 m long, several, densely hairy.
Base ± woody. Leaves with 3 roundish leaflets, side ones usually distinct-
ly smaller than terminal leaflet, stalks up to 30 mm long, stipules lance-
shaped, brown. Flowers small, pale blue or mauve; widely spaced in slender
inflorescences, up to 300 mm long, terminal and in leaf axils. Fruit a pod,
flat, constricted between seeds.
Grassland, forest margins, bushveld.
Summer–autumn.
FABACEAE
Kotschya parvifolia (Burtt Davy) Verdc.
Kotschya: named after Theodor Kotschy (1813–1866), Austrian botanist;

parvifolia: with small leaves.
Rounded woody shrub, up to 1 m tall. Branches hairy. Leaves with 4–8 pairs
of alternate leaflets, leaf axis shorter than 20 mm. Flowers large, ± 20 mm
long, blue, on stalks, calyx deeply 5-lobed, 2-lipped, reddish; bubblegum
smell; solitary. Fruit a pod, within calyx, segmented. General: genus restrict-
ed to tropical Africa and Madagascar, only 2 species in South Africa.
LIM and MP.
Mountain stream banks.
Autumn–winter.
DROSERACEAE
FABACEAE
Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet
L. purpureus subsp. uncinatus Verdc.

Lablab: ancient Arabian name for this species; purpureus: purple; uncina-
tus: barbed, hooked.
Bonavist bean (E); khebala-khatha (L); munawa (V)
Perennial climber, stems up to 2 m long. Leaves with 3 leaflets, ± triangular,
tapering to a long tip, stipules bent backwards. Flowers ± 15 mm long,
lower petals curved inwards, pink-purple; in slender inflorescences, longer
than leaves. Fruit a pod, flat. General: single species genus, widespread in
Africa; cultivated worldwide. Leaves and young
pods cooked as a side dish.
Rocky grassland, stream banks, roadsides.
Summer–autumn.
FABACEAE
Otholobium wilmsii (Harms) C.H.Stirt.
otheo: to burst forth, lobion: a small pod – the fruits suddenly seem to
be pushed out from the calyx; wilmsii: named after Friedrich Wilms
(1848–1919), German apothecary.
Grassland hookleaf-pea (E); grasveldvlieëkeurtjie (A)
Woody shrub, up to 1.5 m tall. Leaves with 3 leaflets, inverted lance-shaped
with a short stiff tip, bent backwards, dotted with black glands; on short
stalks. Flowers small, white and purple or purplish blue; calyx hairy; in clus-
ters ± 25 mm long, usually terminal. Fruit a pod, protruding from calyx at
maturity.
KZN, LIM and MP.
Grassland.
Summer–autumn.
FABACEAE
Psoralea glabra E.Mey.
(= P. pinnata var. glabra)

psoraleos: warty – refers to the rough blackish glands that cover parts of the
plant; glabra: hairless.
Narrow-leaf fountain-bush (E); smalblaarfonteinbos (A)
Slender woody shrub, up to 2 m tall. Stems branching at or near the base,
spreading to erect; branches ribbed. Leaves with 5–9 leaflets, very narrow,
up to 1.5 mm wide, stipules present. Flowers ± 12 mm long, resembling
pea-flowers, mauve to pale mauve, large upper petal with white marking; on
10 mm long stalks, calyx sparsely hairy; clus-
tered in leaf axils near branch tips.
Mountain grassland, damp valleys and seep-
ages.
Summer.
FABACEAE
FABACEAE
Psoralea latifolia (Harv.) C.H.Stirt.
(= P. pinnata var. latifolia)

latifolia: broad-leaved.
Broad-leaved fountain-bush (E); breëblaarfonteinbos (A)
Large woody shrub or small tree, up to 3 m tall. Branches slightly angular.
Leaves with 5 narrow leaflets, up to 5 mm wide, stipules present. Flowers
± 15 mm long, resembling pea-flowers, mauve to blue, on ± 20 mm long
stalks, calyx hairy; clustered in leaf axils near branch tips. Fruit a pod, small,
hidden inside calyx remains. General: largely a
Cape genus.
EC, KZN, LIM and MP
Mountain grassland, margins of thickets in
damp valleys and seepages.
Summer.
FABACEAE
Tephrosia capensis (Jacq.) Pers.
tephros: ashen – refers to grey-green leaves of many species; capensis:

from the Cape Peninsula.
Trailing perennial herb, stems up to 900 mm long, many, branched. Root-

stock woody. Leaves on long stalks, with 2–4 pairs of leaflets and a terminal
one, leaflets elliptic, variable in shape, size and hairiness, reddish brown
veins on the lower surface. Flowers small, ± 8 mm in diameter, deep pink or
purple; few, widely spaced, in slender inflorescences.
Grassland.
Spring–summer.
FABACEAE
Tephrosia shiluwanensis Schinz
shiluwanensis: first described from the Shiluvane District, Mpumalanga.

Branched shrublet, up to 500 mm tall. Stems woody, hairy when young, of-
ten reddish pink. Leaves with 3–8 pairs of leaflets, grey-green, with numer-
ous ascending, closely parallel side veins, stipules ± 10 mm long. Flowers
± 15 mm in diameter, purplish pink, calyx hairy; few, clustered at tips of
slender inflorescences. Fruit a pod, flat.
Summer.
FABACEAE
FABACEAE
Vigna schlechteri Harms
(= V. nervosa)
Vigna: named after Domenico Vigna (d. 1647), Italian botanist; schlech-
teri: Friedrich R.R. Schlechter (1872–1925), German botanist and plant
collector in Africa.
Delicate perennial herb, stems up to 300 mm long, creeping or twining.
Leaves with 3 leaflets, rounded at the base, on long stalks, stipules present.
Flowers small, ± 8 mm long, pink or purple; 1 or 2 together on a long stalk,
in leaf axils. Fruit a pod, ± 35 mm long, narrowly cylindrical, hairless, with
a straight beak.
KZN, LIM and MP.
Grassland.
Summer.
FABACEAE
Vigna vexillata (L.) A.Rich.
V. vexillata var. vexillata

vexillata: having a large upper petal.
Wild sweetpea (E); wilde-ertjie (A); masiva (L); murudji (V)
Twining or trailing perennial herb, stems up to 6 m long, hairy. Rootstock
woody. Leaves stalked, with 3 leaflets, shape variable. Flowers ± 30 mm
in diameter, mauve or pink, large upper petal with white and yellow mark-
ings, curved backwards, the 2 lowest petals twisted, sweetly scented; 2–6
together on long, erect stalks. Fruit a pod, hairy, narrow. General: root edible.
Var. angustifolia (Schumach. & Thonn.) Baker
distinguished by its narrower leaflets.
Spring–summer.
GENTIANACEAE
Chironia krebsii Griseb.
Chironia: named after the wise centaur Chiron; krebsii: named after Georg
the Cape.
Krebs’ gentian (E)
Erect, unbranched perennial herb, up to 500 mm tall. Rhizome. Leaves
narrow, long, clustered at base; stem leaves smaller, in distant pairs. Flow-
ers ± 25 mm in diameter, lobes 5, twisted in bud, then spreading, pointed,
purplish pink, rarely white, style and 5 stamens with twisted yellow an-
thers protruding; in narrow, terminal clusters.
Fruit a capsule. General: up to an altitude of
± 2 500 m.
Marshy ground.
Summer.
FABACEAE
GENTIANACEAE
Chironia purpurascens (E.Mey.) Benth. & Hook.f.
C. purpurascens subsp. humilis (Gilg) I.Verd.

purpurascens: turning purple; humilis: lowly, humble.
Dwarf chironia (E)
Slender, erect, perennial herb, up to 500 mm tall. Often in large colonies.
Taproot; stems angled, several. Leaves basal and on stems, opposite, nar-
rowly elliptic. Flowers ± 25 mm in diameter, lobes 5, spreading, deep ma-
genta-pink; style and 5 stamens with twisted yellow anthers protruding; calyx
lobes tapering to long fine points; buds nodding, becoming erect as flowers
mature; frequently in 3s, the central one almost
stalkless, in branched, terminal inflorescences.
Damp or marshy places.
Summer.
GERANIACEAE
Monsonia lanuginosa R.Knuth
Monsonia: named after Lady Ann Monson (1714–1776), botanical collec-

tor at the Cape; lanuginosa: woolly.
Erect, perennial herb, up to 300 mm tall. Plant densely hairy; single- to few-
stemmed. Leaves narrowly elliptic, softly hairy, on stalks, stipules paired.
Flowers relatively large, ± 25 mm in diameter, 5 petals with slightly irregular
margins, mauve, veins darker; stamens 15; stigmas 5, purple; 1–3 together,
in upper leaf axils. General: endemic to the Strydpoort Mountains; at alti-
tudes above ± 1 300 m.
LIM.
Mountain grassland.
Summer–autumn.
GESNERIACEAE
Streptocarpus caeruleus Hilliard & B.L.Burtt
streptos: twisted, karpos: fruit – refers to the spirally coiled fruit; caeruleus:
blue.
Perennial herb, up to 150 mm tall. Leaves 2–6, egg-shaped to elliptic, quilt-
ed, midrib often slightly curved. Flowers ± 30 mm long, violet-blue with 2
pale yellow spots in the throat, tube widening from base to mouth, upper
lip of 2 erect lobes, lower lip 3-lobed; inflorescences 4–8-flowered, stalks
reddish brown. Fruit up to 50 mm long, held erect. General: endemic to the
Blouberg–Soutpansberg range.
LIM.
Mountain tops, under cliffs.
Summer–autumn.
GENTIANACEAE
GESNERIACEAE
Streptocarpus cyaneus S.Moore
S. cyaneus subsp. nigridens Weigend & T.J.Edwards

cyaneus: dark blue; nigridens: black tooth.
Perennial herb, up to 200 mm tall. Rhizome horizontal. Leaves several, in
a rosette; up to 400 mm long, velvety, margins notched with blunt teeth.
Flowers funnel-shaped, tube ± straight, slender, up to 35 mm long, mauve,
violet or pink, with a yellow stripe in the throat, flanked by darker streaks;
inflorescences 2–6-flowered, stalks reddish brown to green. Fruit up to
100 mm long. General: sometimes growing on trees.
LIM and MP.
Rock crevices, forest shade.
Summer.
GESNERIACEAE
Streptocarpus galpinii Hook.f.

Small herb, up to 150 mm tall. Leaves 1 or several, hairy on both surfaces.
Flowers tubular, ± 20 mm across mouth, purple with a white blotch in the
throat, on stalks up to 80 mm long; inflorescences branched, up to 12 flow-
ers per branch, several opening together. Fruit up to 25 mm long, crowned by
the persistent style base. General: plants are perennial or die after flowering.
Found around edges of rock sheets, in crevices and under overhangs.
LIM and MP.
Hillsides, mountain tops.
Summer.
GESNERIACEAE
Streptocarpus longiflorus (Hilliard & B.L.Burtt) T.J.Edwards
longiflorus: with long flowers.

Perennial herb, up to 150 mm tall. Leaves up to 10, in a rosette. Flowers up
to 50 mm long, tube very gradually widening from base to mouth, upper 2
lobes smaller than lower 3, blue with bright yellow bar in tube, forking near
the mouth into 2 lines; in 4–20-flowered inflorescence, which continues to
grow and elongates considerably. Fruit up to 100 mm long, drooping. Gen-
eral: endemic to the Blouberg.
LIM.
Mountain summit, shade of rocks.
Summer.
GESNERIACEAE
HYACINTHACEAE
Drimia elata Jacq.
drymis: acrid, many species in this genus are poisonous or irritant; elata:
tall.
Satin squill (E); jeukbol, brandui (A); sekanama (S)
Bulbous herb, up to 1 m tall. Leaves long, appear after flowers. Flowers
± 15 mm long, lobes curled up, style and tuft of stamens protruding, var-
iable in colour, usually whitish, greenish or pinkish; in a slender, erect, ter-
minal inflorescence. General: bulb irritant when handled. Used in traditional
medicine as a blood purifier and to treat female
infertility, gonorrhoea and hypertension.
Spring–summer.
HYACINTHACEAE
Ledebouria asperifolia (Van der Merwe) S.Venter
Ledebouria: named after Carl F. von Ledebour (1785–1851), German-Esto-

nian botanist; asperifolia: with rough leaves.
Rough-leaved African hyacinth (E)
Deciduous bulbous herb, up to 200 mm tall. Bulb rounded. Leaves ± trian-
gular, erect to spreading, colour and markings (when present) variable, rough
to the touch, veins prominent at least on the lower surface; fully developed
at flowering. Flowers ± 6 mm long, lobes bent backwards, grey-purple, sta-
mens purple; on long stalks, often white; inflorescence 1–several, leaning out
of the leaf rosette.
KZN, LIM and MP.
Hillsides.
Spring–summer.
HYACINTHACEAE
Ledebouria caesiomontana Hankey & N.Hahn
caesiomontana: blue mountain – refers to the Blouberg, Limpopo Province.

Blouberg African hyacinth (E)
Bulbous herb, up to 150 mm tall. Bulb underground, egg-shaped, ± 20 mm
long. Leaves ± 4, lance-shaped, clasping at the base, spreading, upper
surface green with darker green to purple markings, irregular longitudinal
ridges present on upper surface only; purple-red below. Flowers bell-shaped,
± 5 mm long, lobes bent backwards, pink-grey; 12–20 in a single, lax inflo-
rescence. General: a mistbelt species endemic to the Blouberg.
LIM.
Forest margins, rock crevices.
Summer.
HYACINTHACEAE
HYACINTHACEAE
Ledebouria cooperi (Hook.f.) Jessop
cooperi: named after Thomas Cooper (1815–1913), English botanist and

plant explorer.
Cooper’s squill, Cooper’s African hyacinth (E)
Bulbous herb, up to 200 mm tall. Bulb roundish, ± 30 mm long, live scales
loose, bulblets present. Leaves 1–4, lance-shaped, erect, clasping at the
base, with brownish purple markings; very variable in shape and colouration.
Flowers small, ± 5 mm in diameter, lobes spreading to recurved, pink to
deep pink, filaments magenta; many in 1–3 inflorescences.
Grassland, rocky hillsides, vleis.
Spring–summer.
HYACINTHACEAE
Ledebouria cf. sandersonii (Baker) S.Venter & T.J.Edwards
sandersonii: named after John Sanderson (1820–1881), Scottish horticul-

turist and plant collector in South Africa.
Fairy African hyacinth (E)
Bulbous herb, up to 100 mm tall. Live bulb scales loosely arranged. Leaves
2–6, egg- to broadly lance-shaped, pale bluish green above, purplish be-
low, spreading or flat on the ground, fully developed at flowering. Flowers
± 4 mm long, pink; in 1 or 2 lax inflorescences, 12–20-flowered, longer
than leaves. General: along the eastern escarpment of South Africa; occurs
on the edges of shallow seeps.
Mountain grassland, rocky places.
Summer.
HYACINTHACEAE
Merwilla plumbea (Lindl.) Speta
(= Scilla natalensis)
Merwilla: named after Frederick Z. van der Merwe (1894–1968), South
African botanist and medical doctor; plumbea: leaden grey.
Blue squill (E); blouslangkop (A); sekakgopha (S)
Erect, bulbous herb, up to 1 m tall. Bulb large, half above ground, papery,
purplish brown. Leaves erect, grey-green produced after the flowers. Flowers
star-shaped, ± 10 mm in diameter, pale to deep purplish blue, filaments
white; many in slender inflorescence, ± 300 mm long, stem arching. Gen-
eral: used in traditional medicine for the treat-
ment of diabetes.
Grassland, stream banks, rocky areas.
Spring.
HYACINTHACEAE
IRIDACEAE
Aristea abyssinica Pax
arista: an awn, a point – refers to sharp-pointed leaves; abyssinica: from

Abyssinia, now Ethiopia.
Blue-eyed grass, miniature blue iris (E); dwergsuurkanol (A)
Slender, perennial herb, up to 300 mm tall. Tufted; stem flattened, winged,
unbranched, leafless. Leaves several, long, narrow, grass-like, basal. Flowers
± 15 mm in diameter, purplish blue, short-lived; usually 4 in a cluster, 1
or 2 terminal clusters per stem, bracts dry and torn. Fruit a capsule, ± egg-
shaped.
Grassland.
Summer.
IRIDACEAE
Aristea torulosa Klatt
(= A. woodii)
torulosa: tufted.
Common grass aristea (E); blousuurkanol (A)
Perennial herb, up to 800 mm tall. Underground rhizome; stem mostly un-
branched. Leaves in basal fan, narrow, long; stem leaves smaller, upper with
almost transparent tips. Flowers ± 20 mm in diameter, pale to dark blue
or deep mauve; opening in the early morning and closing by midday (except
on overcast days), twisting into tight spiral after
flowering; in clusters along flowering stem.
Mountain grassland.
Summer.
IRIDACEAE
Babiana bainesii Baker
Babiana: from the Cape Dutch name for baboons, which relish the corms;
bainesii: named after Thomas Baines (1820–1875), English artist and
plant collector.
Bobbejaanuintjie (A)
Small perennial, up to 250 mm tall. Sometimes in tufts. Corm deep un-
derground, rounded with a neck up to 200 mm long, covered with fibres.
Leaves overtopping flowers, erect, pleated, narrow. Flowers funnel-shaped,
tube slender, up to 60 mm long, blue to violet or mauve, lower lobes with
white markings, often edged in dark blue; fragrant; 2–8 crowded, produced
at ground level. General: the name B. hypogea
was previously incorrectly used for this species.
Dry grassland, bushveld.
Summer–autumn.
IRIDACEAE
IRIDACEAE
Dierama adelphicum Hilliard
dierama: a funnel – refers to the flower shape; adelphicum: fraternal.

Angel’s fishing rod (E); grasklokkies (A)
Cormous herb, up to 1.2 m tall. Solitary stem or a few tufted together.

Leaves few, long, narrow, shorter than inflorescence. Flowers ± 20 mm
long, nodding, light mauve-pink to bright magenta-pink or rarely white; flow-
ering stems with 5–7 branches; bracts large, translucent, lightly flecked, tip
of each bract not or just reaching base of second bract above it. General:
partially occurs in the same area as D. gracile,
distinguished by growth habit and inflorescence
characters (see p. 199).
LIM and MP.
Open grassy slopes and flats.
Spring.
IRIDACEAE
Gladiolus papilio Hook.f.
gladiolus: small sword – refers to the leaf shape; papilio: butterfly-like.

Butterfly gladiolus (E); vlei gladiolus (A)
Erect cormous herb, up to 800 mm tall. Sometimes in colonies. Leaves
usually 6 or 7, lance-shaped, in a fan. Flowers funnel-shaped, ± 50 mm
long, tube strongly curved, nodding, colour variable, purple to yellow tinged
with mauve, lime and dark purple markings on lower lobes; inflorescence lax,
5–10-flowered, stem slender, erect, tip bending over.
Marshy areas or damp, grassy places.
Summer.
IRIDACEAE
Moraea natalensis Baker
Wild iris (E)
Slender cormous herb, up to 300 mm tall. Stem erect or inclined, branched.
Leaf solitary, appearing round, inserted high on the flowering stem, up to
200 mm long. Flowers lilac to blue-violet with yellow nectar guides edged
with dark mauve on outer lobes, ± 18 mm long; inner lobes narrowly lance-
shaped; opening in the late morning, fading towards the evening. General:
found at coastal to mid-altitudes; distribution
extending into tropical Africa.
KZN, LIM and MP.
Wet, exposed sites along stream banks, in
seeps, vleis, rock outcrops.
Summer.
IRIDACEAE
IRIDACEAE
Moraea stricta Baker
stricta: very straight or upright – refers to the erect stem.

Bloutulp (A)
Erect cormous herb, up to 300 mm tall. Stem with short branches held tight-
ly to it. Leaf solitary, round, about 600 mm long; absent at flowering. Bract
leaves sheathing stem, brown, dry. Flowers pale lilac to blue-violet, nectar
guides yellow-orange spotted on outer lobes, ± 20 mm long; ± 3 open at
once in the afternoon, closing at sunset. General: widely distributed in Africa.
Flowering among dry grasses at the end of the dry season.
Open, often stony grassland.
LAMIACEAE
Mentha aquatica L.
Mentha: Latin name for mint; aquatica: growing in water.

Water mint (E); kruisement (A); mominti (S)
Much-branched, aromatic, perennial herb, up to 800 mm tall. Leaves lance-
shaped to oval, margins toothed. Flowers small, ± 5 mm long, pale mauve,
pinkish or purple; stamens long, protruding; many in terminal, roundish clus-
ters, ± 20 mm in diameter. General: widely distributed in Africa, Europe
and western Asia. Used in traditional medicine to treat colds and respiratory
problems. Easily propagated.
Marshes, damp places.
Summer.
LAMIACEAE
Plectranthus hereroensis Engl.
plektron: a spur, anthos: flower – refers to the flower spur; hereroensis:

from Hereroland, Namibia, where the plant was first collected.
Herero spurflower (E); Herero spoorsalie (A)
Erect, annual or biennial herb, up to 1 m tall. Stem usually solitary, branching
above. Leaves stalked, egg-shaped to triangular, margins toothed, thin-tex-
tured. Flowers ± 10 mm long, tube bent abruptly downwards, expanding to
throat, pale to deep blue, rarely white; lower lip deeply boat-shaped; inflores-
cence terminal, ± 200 mm long. General: attractive garden plant.
GP, KZN, LIM and NW.
South-facing and wooded hillsides.
Summer–autumn.
IRIDACEAE
LAMIACEAE
Plectranthus mutabilis Codd
mutabilis: changeable – refers to its variability.

Chameleon spurflower (E); verkleurmannetjie spoorsalie (A)
Trailing, perennial herb, stems up to 400 mm long, sparsely branched,
hairy. Leaves stalked, almost round, margins notched with rounded teeth,
semi-succulent. Flowers ± 10 mm long, tube bent about the middle,
lower lip boat-shaped, purple-blue; inflorescence simple or with a pair of
branches near the base. General: mainly on the Blouberg and Soutpansberg.
Drought-tolerant groundcover, easily propagated from cuttings.
GP, LIM and MP.
Rocky hillsides, often in half-shade.
Summer–autumn.
LAMIACEAE
Plectranthus neochilus Schltr.
neos: new, cheilos: a lip.

Lobster flower, smelly spurflower (E); rotstuinsalie (A)
Succulent perennial herb, up to 500 mm tall. Mat-forming; unpleasantly
scented. Stems reddish, trailing-ascending to erect, rooting at nodes. Leaves
fleshy, shallowly toothed in upper part, folded along midrib, sticky, clustered
together. Flowers up to 20 mm long, tubular, upper lip erect, lower lip larg-
er, boat-shaped, mauve-purple; inflorescence terminal, elongate, 4-angled
crown of bracts at the tip. General: believed to ward off snakes. Excellent
groundcover.
Bushveld, grassland, among rocks.
Spring–summer.
LAMIACEAE
Pycnostachys reticulata (E.Mey.) Benth.
pyknos: dense, stachys: a spike – refers to the inflorescence; reticulata:

net-veined.
Blue soldier, hedgehog sage (E); stekelsalie (A)
Erect, perennial herb, up to 2 m tall. Sparsely branched. Leaves oppo-
site, ± stalkless, narrowly lance-shaped, margins finely toothed. Flowers
± 15 mm long, tubular, 2-lipped, the upper lip shorter than the lower, pale
blue to mauve; calyx with 5 spike-like lobes, reddish purple, protruding be-
yond the buds; in dense, conical inflorescences, terminal. General: larval
food plant for the Marsh Commodore butterfly.
Moist grassy places.
Summer–autumn.
LAMIACEAE
LAMIACEAE
Rotheca hirsuta (Hochst.) R.Fern.
(= Clerodendrum triphyllum)
Rotheca: a latinised Malayalam name; hirsuta: hairy.
Butterfly bush, Matabele violet, wild violet (E)
Shrublet, up to 300 mm tall. Rootstock woody, often very old, fire-resistant;
stems many, erect, unbranched. Leaves elliptic to lance-shaped, stalkless;
mostly in whorls of 3. Flowers showy, ± 15 mm in diameter, 5-lobed, lower
lobe larger than upper 4, arching stamens and style conspicuous, pale blue
to violet with a white, inverted Y-shaped pattern
on the lower lobe; few in clusters, in leaf axils.
Grassland.
LAMIACEAE
Salvia cf. disermas L.
salvare: to heal – refers to the medicinal properties of some species; dis:

twice, ermas: prop, support.
Large blue sage (E); grootblousalie (A)
Robust perennial herb, up to 1 m tall. Much branched; hairy throughout.
Leaves oval, bluntly toothed, conspicuously veined. Flowers ± 20 mm long,
style and stamens protruding; white, mauve or pale blue, calyx hairy; usually
6 in terminal whorls. General: Salvia species hybridise, making identification
difficult. Used to make a herbal tea.
Sandy soil in seasonal watercourses, rocky
hillsides, roadsides, disturbed places.
Summer–autumn.
LAMIACEAE
Salvia dolomitica Codd
dolomitica: growing on dolomite.

Multi-stemmed shrub, up to 1.5 m tall. Stems densely white hairy. Leaves
opposite, elliptic, margins entire; greyish green, hairy on both surfaces,
veins prominent below, aromatic when crushed. Flowers ± 25 mm long,
2-lipped, pink to pale purple with yellowish markings on lower lip; calyx
broadly bell-shaped, enlarging in fruit, showy, pink; in 2-flowered whorls, in
compact inflorescences. General: at altitudes of 1 000–1 500 m, southern
African endemic.
LIM and MP.
Usually on dolomitic outcrops.
LAMIACEAE
LAMIACEAE
Stachys grandifolia E.Mey. ex Benth.
stakhus: spike, ear of wheat – refers to the inflorescence; grandifolia: with

large leaves.
Large-leaved stachys (E)
Straggling perennial herb, up to 1 m tall. Leaves heart-shaped, with
stalk, margins finely toothed, softly hairy below, up to 80 mm long. Flow-
ers 2-lipped, lower lip longer than upper lip, spreading, 3-lobed, middle
lobe largest, white with mauve spots; tube straight, ± 10 mm long; calyx
5-toothed, hairy; in whorls of 4–6, in elongate, terminal inflorescences.
Forest margins, along mountain streams.
Summer–autumn.
LAMIACEAE
Thorncroftia succulenta (R.A.Dyer & E.A.Bruce) Codd
Thorncroftia: named after George Thorncroft (1857–1934), English mer-

chant and collector in the former eastern Transvaal; succulenta: fleshy.
Rock sage (E), klipsalie (A)
Soft shrub or herb, up to 1 m tall. Rootstock thick, woody; stems several,
hairy. Leaves fleshy, egg-shaped to elliptic, margins toothed in upper two-
thirds. Flowers with narrowly cylindrical tube, up to ± 20 mm long, upper
lip erect, lower lip at first horizontal, later bent downwards, bluish mauve
with darker spots; in congested inflorescences; bracts leaf-like.
LIM and MP.
Among rocks on mountains.
Summer–winter.
LENTIBULARIACEAE
Genlisea hispidula Stapf
Genlisea: named after Comtesse de Genlis (1746–1830), author of ‘La

Botanique Historique et Littéraire’; hispidula: bristly, rough.
Small herb, up to 100 mm tall. Rootless but with root-like appendages con-
sisting of stalks ending in a flask-like trap for capturing tiny insect larvae;
stem erect. Leaves few, in a rosette. Flowers ± 10 mm long, violet, blue,
mauve or pink; 2-lipped, lower lip larger than upper, 3-lobed; spur yellow-
ish, longer than lower lip, calyx 5-lobed; 3–10 in inflorescence, simple or
sparsely branched above.
Seasonally or permanently wet grassland.
Spring–winter.
LAMIACEAE
LOBELIACEAE
Cyphia rogersii S.Moore
C. rogersii subsp. rogersii

kyphos: bent, a twiner; rogersii: named after Frederick A. Rogers (1876–
Slender, twining herb, stem up to 1 m long. Leaves narrowly lance-shaped,
up to 12 mm wide, on short stalks, margins minutely toothed. Flowers
± 13 mm long, tube narrow, 2-lipped; upper and lower lips ± same length;
pale mauvish pink or lilac; in lax, terminal inflorescences, axis hairless.
General: on vegetation. For white-flowered subsp. winteri E.Wimm, distin-
guished by its narrower leaves and slightly hairy
inflorescence axis, see p. 84.
GP, LIM and MP.
Grassland.
Summer–autumn.
LOBELIACEA
Cyphia transvaalensis E.Phillips

Twining perennial herb, stem up to 2 m long. Rootstock tuberous. Leaves
alternate, stalked, lower ones egg-shaped, upper leaves elliptic, margins
toothed; decreasing in size upwards. Flowers ± 15 mm long, tubular,
5-lobed, 2-lipped, tips of lobes curving back, pale blue to mauve, calyx
lobes toothed, spreading; solitary in upper leaf axils. Fruit a capsule, round,
ribbed. General: on other plants.
LIM.
Forest, thicket.
Summer–autumn.
LOBELIACEA
Lobelia aquaemontis E.Wimm.
Lobelia: named after Mathias de L’Obel (1538–1616), Flemish botanist;

aquaemontis: from the Waterberg.
Waterberg lobelia (E)
Delicate, trailing perennial herb, up to 150 mm tall. Soft, bushy; stems thin.
Leaves deeply divided, 5-lobed. Flowers ± 10 mm long, pale blue; 2-lipped;
upper lip with 2 small, erect lobes; lower lip with three spreading lobes; sol-
itary, on wiry stalks, up to 30 mm long, in axils of leaves. General used as a
pot plant, propagated by division.
LIM.
Upper mountain slopes, in shade under rock
ledges.
Summer–autumn.
LOBELIACEAE
LOBELIACEA
Lobelia flaccida (C.Presl) A.DC.
L. flaccida subsp. flaccida

flaccida: soft, limp.
Wild lobelia (E)
Annual or short-lived perennial, slender herb, up to 300 mm tall. Stems
angled, narrowly winged, lying on the ground to ascending. Leaves widely
spaced, stalkless, narrow, margins toothed. Flowers ± 15 mm long, 2-lipped;
lower lip 3-lobed, much larger than upper, blue, mauve or white; on stalks
5–50 mm long, in lax inflorescences. General:
subsp. mossiana (R.D.Good) Thulin mostly with
shorter flower stalks (5–14 mm long).
Damp grassland.
Summer–autumn.
LOBELIACEAE
Lobelia goetzei Diels
goetzei: named after Walter Goetze (1872–1899), German naturalist and

collector in East Africa.
Slender herb, up to 500 mm tall. Taproot; stems few to many, ± erect.
Leaves with margins toothed in upper part, tapering into a stalk-like base,
veins prominent below; widely spaced. Flowers ± 11 mm long, pink, mauve
or purple, 2-lipped, upper lip with 2 small, erect lobes, lower lip 3-lobed,
with 2 longitudinal yellowish lines near the mouth; 3–10 in lax, terminal
inflorescences.
LIM and MP.
Forest margins, grassland on steep slopes.
LOBELIACEA
Lobelia lobata E.Wimm.
lobata: with lobes.

Slender, annual or short-lived, perennial herb, stems up to 300 mm long,
soft, angular, not winged, spreading, trailing to hanging or ascending, form-
ing tangling masses. Leaves 5–15 × 5–15 mm, ± round, margins toothed,
veins prominent below, on stalks. Flowers ± 10 mm long, 2-lipped; lower lip
3-lobed, much larger than upper, blue or pale blue; on stalks up to 25 mm
long, solitary, terminal or in leaf axils. General: in moist and shady places; at
an altitude of ± 1 800 m.
LIM.
Mountains, under overhanging rocks.
Spring–autumn.
LOBELIACEA
LOBELIACEA
Lobelia vanreenensis (Kuntze) K.Schum.
vanreenensis: named after the Van Reenen settlement in KwaZulu-Natal.

Delicate, perennial herb, up to 450 mm tall. Clump-forming. Leaves on
long stalks, ± triangular, bluntly toothed. Flowers ± 15 mm long, 2-lipped;
lower lip 3-lobed, much larger than upper, blue or white; calyx shorter than
flower tube; few together on wiry leafless stems, ± 100 mm long. Fruit a
capsule, 2-valved.
Grassland, damp places in shade of rocks.
Summer–autumn.
LOBELIACEA
Monopsis decipiens (Sond.) Thulin
mono-: one, -opsis: appearance – refers to similar flowers in most species

of this genus; decipiens: deceiving – a species that closely resembles
another.
Butterfly lobelia (E); skoenlapperplant (A)
Slender, erect herb, up to 300 mm tall. Rhizome creeping; stems sparsely
branched, densely leafy. Leaves alternate, small, stalkless, narrow. Flowers
10–18 mm long, 2-lipped; lower lip broadly 3-lobed, bright blue with yellow
markings at the base; upper lip smaller, with 2 lobes bent backwards, pur-
plish blue, calyx lobes spreading; 1–3, at the
tip of stems.
Grassland, often in seasonally wet places.
Summer.
LOBELIACEA
Monopsis stellarioides (C.Presl) Urb.
stellarioides: star-like.
Sticky-leaved monopsis (E)
Sprawling annual or perennial herb, stems up to 500 mm long. Plant cov-
ered in tiny, rough bumps. Leaves opposite, stalked, narrow to elliptic, mar-
gins toothed. Flowers ± 12 mm long, 2-lipped, purple with yellow markings
in the throat; solitary, in leaf axils along the stem, on long, slender stalks.
Fruit a capsule, 2-valved. General: leaves and stems stick to clothing.
Shady banks in forest, moist situations,
stream banks.
Summer.
LOBELIACEA
MELASTOMATACEAE
Dissotis princeps (Kunth) Triana
D. princeps var. princeps

dissos: of 2 kinds – refers to 2 different anther types; princeps: the most
distinguished.
Wild tibouchina (E); kalwerbossie (A)
Soft-wooded shrub, up to 2 m tall. Hairy throughout. Leaves lance-shaped,
large, conspicuously 5–7-veined from the base, stalked, 2 or 3 at each node,
often bent downwards. Flowers ± 50 mm in diameter, 5 petals, lilac to
dark purple; stamens unequal, conspicuous; clustered in terminal inflores-
cences. Fruit a capsule, included in persistent
calyx. General: var. candolleana (Cogn.) A.Fern.
& R.Fern. also occurs in LIM.
KZN and LIM.
Forests, wooded grassland.
Summer–winter.
ORCHIDACEAE
Brachycorythis ovata Lindl.
brachy: short, koros: helmet – refers to the hooded appearance of the upper
part of the flower; ovata: egg-shaped.
Fairly robust herb, up to 450 mm tall. Plant not hairy. Leaves on stem,
lance-shaped, overlapping, gradually decreasing in size upwards, grading
into bracts. Flowers ± 15 mm across, pink to purple, lip 3-lobed at tip, cen-
tral lobe white with purple spots; spur absent; bract long, below each flower;
in a dense inflorescence. General: similar to B. pubescens, distinguishing
characters listed under that species.
Grassland.
Spring–summer.
ORCHIDACEAE
Brachycorythis pubescens Harv.
pubescens: downy with short soft hairs.

Moderately robust herb, up to 400 mm tall. Root tuber; stem erect; entire
plant softly hairy, except the inner surfaces of the flowers. Leaves many,
on stem, lance-shaped, overlapping, gradually decreasing in size upwards,
grading into bracts. Flowers ± 10 mm across, mauve-pink to brownish pur-
ple; lip 3-lobed, pink with red spotted yellow patch at base; spur absent;
inflorescence dense. General: differs from B. ovata by its hairiness and the
presence of the yellow patch at the base of the lip.
Grassland.
Spring–summer.
MELASTOMATACEAE
ORCHIDACEAE
Disa baurii Bolus
(= Herschelianthe baurii)
Disa: named after Queen Disa, of a Swedish legend; baurii: named after
Leopold R. Baur (1825–1889), German apothecary who worked in the
Eastern Cape.
Bloumoederkappie (A)
Slender perennial herb, up to 300 mm tall. Rootstock tuberous. Leaves slen-
der, grass-like, sheathing at base, appearing after flowering. Flowers ± 25 mm
across, blue to deep mauve, occasionally white; lip deeply lobed, fringed; spur
pointing upwards, ± 5 mm long, tip rounded;
bracts dry; inflorescence laxly 2–10-flowered.
General: flowering well before summer rains.
Mountain grassland.
Spring.
ORCHIDACEAE
Eulophia livingstoneana (Rchb.f.) Schltr.
eu: well, lophos: crest – refers to the crested lip; livingstoneana: named
after David Livingstone (1813–1873), British missionary and explorer.
Slender perennial herb, up to 600 mm tall. Tuber underground, horizon-
tal. Leaves absent to partially developed at flowering, on a separate shoot,
thin-textured. Flowers ± 30 mm in diameter, lobes spreading to bending
backwards, pale mauve-pink, lip 3-lobed, side lobes brownish, midlobe pur-
plish, long, narrow, crests of 2 warty ridges, spur ± 5 mm long; in lax
inflorescence. General: range extends into tropical Africa, at altitudes of
800–1 200 m.
LIM.
Bushveld.
Summer.
OROBANCHACEAE
Buchnera sp.
Buchnera: named after 18th century German naturalist Buchner.
Slender, ascending herb, up to 300 mm tall. Much branched from base;
plant rough to the touch. Leaves long, narrow, in whorls. Flowers ± 10 mm
in diameter, tube slender, longer than calyx, lobes 5, spreading, blue or
mauve, each with a dark streak at the base; calyx tubular, ribbed, lobes
short; several in terminal inflorescences. Fruit a capsule, seeds many. Gen-
eral: plant turning black when dried. This relatively common plant has only
been identified to genus level.
LIM and possibly other provinces.
Grassland.
Summer.
ORCHIDACEAE
OROBANCHACEAE
Sopubia cana Harv.
S. cana var. cana

Sopubia: the Indian vernacular name; cana: greyish white.
Silvery sopubia (E)
Perennial herb, up to 300 mm tall. Rootstock woody; stems erect, much-
branched above. Usually densely grey-hairy throughout. Leaves very narrow,
in clusters. Flowers ± 20 mm in diameter, mauve-pink with darker throat, 5
rounded lobes, crinkly, spreading, stamens protruding, tube short, within ca-
lyx; solitary in axils of bracts near tips of branches. General: var. glabrescens
Diels differs in hairiness. Root parasite of vari-
ous grass species.
Grassland.
Summer.
PEDALIACEAE
Dicerocaryum senecioides (Klotzsch) Abels
di: two, keras: horn, karyon: nut – refers to the hard fruit with 2 spines;
senecioides: resembling the genus Senecio in the Asteraceae family.
Devil’s thorn (E); dubbeltjie, duiweltjies (A)
Trailing perennial herb, stems up to 1 m long, several, branched. Taproot
woody. Leaves deeply irregularly lobed and toothed, white below. Flowers
± 40 mm long, funnel-shaped, mauve or pink with darker veining in throat,
calyx deeply lobed; solitary, in leaf axils, held erect above leaves. Fruit hard,
oval, upper part raised with 2 sharp spines. General: leaves used as soap
substitute.
GP, LIM, MP and NW.
Sandy soil in grassland or bushveld, roadsides.
PHYTOLACCACEAE
*Phytolacca octandra L.
phyton: plant, lakh: Hindi for dye – refers to red juice of the fruit; octandra:
with 8 stamens.
Inkberry (E); bobbejaandruif (A)
Bushy herb, up to 1 m tall. Base woody; stems reddish, sparsely branched.
Leaves elliptic, on long stalks. Flowers small, inconspicuous, greenish white;
on upright spikes. Fruit fleshy, round, ± 5 mm in diameter, purple-black
when ripe. General: indigenous to the Americas. Fruit eaten by birds and
baboons.
Invades clear-felled timber plantations, dis-
turbed areas.
Spring–summer.
OROBANCHACEAE
POLYGALACEAE
Polygala gerrardii Chodat
poly: much, gala: milk – refers to the old belief that some European species
increase the milk yield of cows; gerrardii: named after William T. Gerrard
(circa 1831–1866), collector in KwaZulu-Natal and Madagascar.
Dwarf perennial herb, up to 90 mm tall. Rootstock woody. Leaves elliptic,
± 10 mm long, tip pointed, midrib thickened, prominent below. Flowers
small, ± 5 mm long, 3 lobes, united at base, lowest boat-shaped with a
conspicuous tuft of hairs, blue or purple; solitary in leaf axils.
Spring–summer.
POLYGALACEAE
Polygala gracilenta Burtt Davy
gracilis: thin, slender.

Wild violet (E)
Many-stemmed, perennial herb, up to 300 mm tall. Rootstock woody; stems
slightly winged. Leaves many, alternate, up to 25 mm long, narrowly lance-
shaped, sometimes much broader on lower stem. Flowers ± 13 mm long,
shaped like a pea-flower, lower lobe with a tuft of hairs, deep mauve; ± 10 in
contracted inflorescences, terminal or in leaf axils. Fruit a capsule, flattened.
Grassland.
Summer.
POLYGALACEAE
Polygala houtboshiana Chodat
houtboshiana: named after the indigenous forest Houtbosh or the settle-

ment of Houtboshdorp, Limpopo Province.
Slender, erect, perennial herb, up to 700 mm tall. Rootstock woody; stem
slightly ribbed, wiry, green, sparsely branched. Leaves few, widely spaced,
alternate, erect, very narrow, up to 20 mm long, stalkless. Flowers ± 10 mm
long, shaped like a pea-flower, lower lobe with a tuft of hairs, purple and
pink; on delicate stalks, 4 mm long, several in lax, terminal inflorescence.
Mountain grassland.
Summer.
POLYGALACEAE
POLYGALACEAE
Polygala producta N.E.Br.
producta: extended, elongated.

Shrublet, up to 500 mm tall. Stems erect, slender, leafy. Leaves alternate,
ascending, up to 30 mm long, narrow, usually tipped with a short stiff point.
Flowers ± 10 mm long, shaped like a pea-flower, with a tuft of hairs on the
lower lobe, purple or pink, darker veins on outer surface conspicuous in bud;
many in terminal inflorescence, up to 200 mm long, only a few flowers open
at a time. Fruit a capsule, broadly elliptic.
Grassland.
Spring–summer.
POLYGALACEAE
Polygala transvaalensis Chodat

Small perennial herb, up to 200 mm tall. Rootstock woody; stems branched,
erect, leafy. Leaves alternate, ± stalkless, narrowly elliptic to very narrow,
tipped with a short stiff point. Flowers ± 8 mm long, shaped like a pea-flow-
er, with a tuft of hairs on the lower lobe, pink, crimson, bluish or purple; 3–6
in short inflorescences, up to 40 mm long.
Grassland.
Summer.
POLYGALACEAE
Polygala uncinata E.Mey. ex Meisn.
uncinata: with a hooked tip – refers to the leaves.

Wild violet (E); wildeviooltjie (A)
Straggling perennial herb, up to 400 mm tall. Rootstock woody; stems slen-
der, branched, semi-erect. Leaves alternate, up to 15 mm long, narrow; tip
rounded, sharply hooked, bent backwards. Flowers ± 8 mm long, shaped
like a pea-flower, with a tuft of hairs on the lower lobe, purple or blue, darker
veins on outer surface conspicuous in bud; several in terminal inflorescences,
up to 100 mm long.
Grassland.
Spring–summer.
POLYGALACEAE
POLYGALACEAE
Polygala virgata Thunb.
P. virgata var. decora (Sond.) Harv.

virgata: twiggy, rod-like; decora: decorative.
Purple broom (E); persboom, bloukappie (A)
Slender, erect shrub, up to 2 m tall. Evergreen; stem single, branching in up-
per third, hairy when young. Leaves narrowly elliptic, pale green, sometimes
dropping before flowering. Flowers ± 15 mm long, resembling pea-flowers,
with a tuft of hairs on the lower lobe, deep purple-magenta with darker
veins; in terminal, dense inflorescences, drooping. General: var. virgata with
± hairless stem. Species widely distributed
throughout tropical and East Africa.
Slopes, often forest margins.
Sporadic, throughout the year.
RUBIACEAE
Conostomium natalense (Hochst.) Bremek.
C. natalense var. glabrum Bremek.

konos: cone, stoma: mouth; natalense: from KwaZulu-Natal; glabrum: hair-
less.
Wild pentas (E); wildepentas (A)
4-angled. Leaves opposite, lance-shaped, narrowly tapering to the tip. Flow-
ers ± 17 mm long, tubular, lobes 4, spreading, ring of hairs in throat, lilac
to pale blue; calyx 4-lobed; in sparse terminal clusters, surrounded by leafy
bracts. Fruit: a capsule, crowned by persistent
calyx. General: 3 other varieties occur in LIM, 2
differ in hairiness and 1 in leaf shape.
Open grassland to dense scrub.
Summer.
RUBIACEAE
Otiophora calycophylla (Sond.) Schltr. & K.Schum.
O. calycophylla subsp. calycophylla

otion: little ear, phoros: bearing; calycophylla: having 1 leaf-like calyx lobe.
Dwarf shrub, up to 300 mm tall. Stems woody, much branched. Leaves
lance-shaped, small, ± 10 × 4 mm. Flowers ± 5 mm long, tube very
narrow, thread-like, lobes 5, spreading, white, pink to mauve; stamens and
styles protruding; calyx with 1 enlarged, leaf-like lobe, other 4 minute; in
clusters at tips of branches. General: subsp. verdcourtii Puff distinguished by
its unbranched stems, larger leaves, restricted to LIM.
Rock crevices on rock krantzes and cliffs.
Spring–autumn.
POLYGALACEAE
RUBIACEAE
Pentanisia angustifolia (Hochst.) Hochst.
pente: five, anisos: unequal – refers to the lobes of the calyx; angustifolia:
with narrow leaves.
Spreading to erect, perennial herb, up to 300 mm tall. Rootstock woody;
plant usually ± hairless, stems several. Leaves narrow, variable in size and
shape, stalkless. Flowers ± 15 mm long, tubular, 5-lobed, throat hairy, style
protruding, pale blue to lilac; in compact terminal clusters, elongating in
fruit, on long stems. General: variable species with intermediates between
P. angustifolia and P. prunelloides. Seen after fire.
Grassland.
Spring–summer.
RUBIACEAE
Pentanisia prunelloides (Klotzsch ex Eckl. & Zeyh.) Walp.
P. prunelloides subsp. latifolia (Hochst.) Verdc.

prunelloides: resembling the genus Prunella, in the Lamiaceae family; lat-
ifolia: with broad leaves.
Hairy-leaved pentanisia, wild verbena (E); sooibrandbossie (A)
Spreading to erect, perennial herb, up to 300 mm tall. Rootstock woody;
stems several. Leaves broadly rounded, variable in shape, mostly hairy,
stalkless. Flowers ± 15 mm long, tubular, 5-lobed, throat densely hairy,
blue; in compact terminal clusters, on long stems. General: subsp. prunel-
loides differs in leaf shape. Traditionally used to
treat a range of ailments. Seen after fire.
Grassy places, rocky soil.
Spring–summer.
SCROPHULARIACEAE
Aptosimum lineare Marloth & Engl.
a: not, ptosimos: deciduous – refers to the persistent fruit capsules; lineare:

narrow, with ± parallel sides.
Bushveld carpet flower (E), Martha se viooltjie (A)
Dwarf shrub, up to 200 mm tall. Rootstock long; stems much branched,
branches short, densely leafy; plant hairy throughout. Leaves narrow, long,
hairy midrib thickened, prominent below. Flowers up to 25 mm long, tu-
bular, 5-lobed, style protruding, bright deep blue to purple, darker around
throat; stalkless; solitary in leaf axils. Fruit a hard capsule. General: pollinat-
ed by wasps.
LIM, MP, NC and NW.
Bushveld.
Summer.
RUBIACEAE
SCROPHULARIACEAE
Buddleja salviifolia (L.) Lam.
Buddleja: named after Adam Buddle (1660–1715), English priest and am-
ateur botanist; salviifolia: with leaves resembling the sage, Salvia, in
the Lamiaceae family.
Wild sage (E); saliehout (A); molalathau (S); mudiatholana (V)
Evergreen, spreading shrub or tree, up to 5 m tall. Stems long, slender, arch-
ing. Leaves lance-shaped, dull grey-green above, white below; quilted ap-
pearance. Flowers up to 10 mm long, tubular, whitish, mauve or purple with
deep orange throat; sweetly scented; in showy branched clusters ± 120 mm
long, at tips of branches. General: used as a
tea; ornamental shrub, cold hardy.
Forest margins, along streams, rocky slopes.
Spring.
SCROPHULARIACEAE
Chaenostoma floribundum Benth.
(= Sutera floribunda)
chaeno: gaping, stoma: mouth – refers to the widely opened flower tube;
floribundum: flowering profusely.
Kerriebos (A)
Aromatic perennial herb, up to 500 mm tall. Stems much branched, ± erect,
softly hairy. Leaves opposite, broadly egg-shaped, margins toothed, on short
stalks. Flowers with narrowly funnel-shaped tube, ± 10 mm long, lobes 5,
spreading; stamens protruding from the tube; blue, pinkish mauve or white,
throat yellow; calyx with 5 narrow lobes, hairy; many in leafy, branching
inflorescences, branchlets opposite.
Grassland, among boulders, stream banks,
forest margins.
Summer–autumn.
SCROPHULARIACEAE
Chaenostoma leve (Hiern) Kornhall
(= Sutera levis)
leve: smooth.
Skunk bush (E); stinkbossie (A)
Bushy perennial herb, up to 400 mm tall. Rootstock woody; stems much-
branched. Leaves opposite; long, narrow to narrowly elliptic, margins entire
to minutely toothed. Flowers small, tube, ± 3 mm long, lobes 5, spreading;
stamens protruding from the tube, pinkish mauve or white, throat yellow,
small, on slender stalks; in much-branched ter-
minal inflorescences.
GP, LIM, MP and NW.
Rocky grassy hill slopes, often among boul-
ders.
Summer–autumn.
SCROPHULARIACEAE
SCROPHULARIACEAE
Jamesbrittenia macrantha (Codd) Hilliard

macrantha: large-flowered.
Soft shrub, up to 1 m tall. Stems woody at base, much branched. Leaves
small, narrowly elliptic, margins toothed, often folded along midrib, scat-
tered glistening glands on both surfaces, in tufts along branches. Flowers
showy, tube cylindrical, slender, kinked near the top, ± 25 mm long, lobes
5, spreading, lilac to deep violet-mauve, throat yellowish green, stamens
included; calyx short, 5-lobed ± to base; many in terminal inflorescences.
LIM and MP.
Grassy slopes.
SCROPHULARIACEAE
Selago atherstonei Rolfe
sel: sight, jach: salutary – refers to supposed medicinal properties; ather-

stonei: named after William G. Atherstone (1814–1898), English-born
botanist and medical practitioner.
Perennial herb, up to 400 mm tall. Rootstock woody; stems much branched,
hairy, densely leafy. Leaves small, ± 10 mm long, lance-shaped, in clusters,
crowded. Flowers tubular, ± 5 mm long, 5-lobed, creamy pink or white; ca-
lyx reddish, hairy; several, in small terminal clusters, ± 10 mm in diameter.
General: occurs at altitudes of 1 500–2 200 m.
LIM and MP.
Mountain grassland.
Summer.
SCROPHULARIACEAE
Selago procera Hilliard
(= S. elata)
procera: very tall.
Slender, ± erect shrublet, up to 1 m tall. Much branched in upper part,
branches thinly hairy. Leaves stalkless, lance-shaped, solitary or with a few
small leaves in the axils. Flowers small, tube ± 5 mm long, narrow, 5-lobed,
white, mauve or purple; calyx with narrow lobes, hairy; in small clusters,
± 13 mm in diameter, at tips of branches. General: occurs at altitudes of
900–1 800 m.
LIM and MP.
Mountain grassland, forest margins, stream
banks.
Summer.
SCROPHULARIACEAE
SCROPHULARIACEAE
Teedia lucida (Sol.) Rudolphi
Teedia: named after Johann G. Teede, 18th century German naturalist; lu-
cida: shining, glossy.
Klipkersie, stinkbos (A)
Shrublet, up to 1 m tall. Unpleasant odour; stems 4-angled. Leaves oppo-
site, broadly elliptic, margins finely toothed, glossy, stalks winged, running
on to the stem. Flowers up to 6 mm long, tubular, lobes 5, rounded, blue,
lilac or mauve; 3–7 in inflorescences, dense, leafy. Fruit round, purplish
black when ripe. General: range extends into Zimbabwe.
Rocky mountain grassland, scrub forest.
SCROPHULARIACEAE
Tetraselago nelsonii (Rolfe) Hilliard & B.L.Burtt
tetra: four, selago: genus in the same family, allusion unclear; nelsonii:
named after William Nelson (1852–1922), who collected in the former
Transvaal.
Tufted, perennial herb, up to 400 mm tall. Stems erect or ascending, hairy.
Leaves on stem narrower than 3 mm, with blunt tip and blunt teeth,
crowded in little clusters. Flowers small, tube funnel-shaped, 3–4 mm long,
5-lobed, lobes spreading, blue to mauve, stamens protruding; many in ter-
minal, branched inflorescences, compact, slightly domed, up to 50 mm in
diameter. Fruit: a capsule. General: often on
rocky sites and on forest margins; appears to be
restricted to LIM.
LIM.
Rocky grassland.
Summer.
SCROPHULARIACEAE
Tetraselago wilmsii (Rolfe) Hilliard & B.L.Burtt

Tufted, perennial herb, up to 500 mm tall. Stems woody, straggling, erect
or lying on the ground to ascending, closely leafy. Leaves spreading, short,
narrow, ± 15 × 5 mm, sharply pointed tip and teeth, toothed in upper
half. Flowers small, tube funnel-shaped, 4.5–5.0 mm long, 5-lobed, lobes
spreading, purple to pale blue; in dense terminal, slightly dome-shaped clus-
ters, ± 60 mm in diameter. Fruit: a capsule.
GP, LIM and MP.
Grassland.
Summer.
SCROPHULARIACEAE
SOLANACEAE
Solanum campylacanthum Hochst. ex A.Rich.
S. campylacanthum subsp. panduriforme (Drège ex Dunal) J.Samuels

(= S. panduriforme)
Solanum: Latin name for nightshade; campylacanthum: with recurved
thorns; panduriformis: fiddle-shaped – refers to the leaves.
Poison apple (E); gifappel (A); morullwa (L); thola (S)
Erect shrublet, up to 1 m tall. Stems thinly furry orange; usually without
spines. Leaves lance-shaped, hairy, stalked, margins smooth, wavy. Flowers
± 20 mm in diameter, lobes 5, triangular, mauve; solitary or few in small
clusters. Fruit round, ± 20 mm in diameter, fleshy, yellow when ripe. Gener-
al: used in traditional medicine to treat haemor-
rhoids and other ailments; fruit poisonous.
Grassland, bushveld, disturbed places.
Summer.
SOLANACEAE
*Solanum mauritianum Scop.
mauritianum: from Mauritius.

Bug weed (E); luisboom (A); mothola-o-mo-tala (S)
Shrub or small tree, up to 5 m tall. Plant hairy throughout, except older
stems; spines absent. Leaves large, hairy, dull green above, whitish below;
conspicuous ear-shaped lobes at bases of leaf stalks; strong smell when
bruised. Flowers purple, in terminal clusters, on stalks up to 100 mm long.
Fruit ± 10 mm in diameter, yellowish. General: indigenous to South Ameri-
ca; dispersed by birds. Used in traditional medicine to cleanse kidneys.
Invades grasslands, stream banks, forest
margins, disturbed areas.
SOLANACEAE
Solanum rubetorum Dunal
rubetorum: of bramble bushes – refers to similarly prickly bramble.

Shrub, up to 2 m tall. Straight long spines on stems and leaves. Leaves alter-
nate, hairy on both surfaces, green above, paler below, margins 5–7-lobed,
spines on midrib and secondary veins. Flowers ± 15 mm in diameter,
5-lobed, purple to pale mauve, stamens yellow, protruding, tightly held to-
gether; 3–5 in clusters, in leaf axils. Fruit: a berry, ± 10 mm in diameter,
crowned with persistent calyx lobes, orange to red when ripe.
Rocky slopes, forest.
Spring–summer.
SOLANACEAE
VELLOZIACEAE
Xerophyta purpurascens Behnke
xeros: dry, phytos: plant – refers to their tough habit; purpurascens: pur-
plish.
Black-stick lily, monkey’s tail (E); bobbejaanstert (A)
Small erect shrub, up to 800 mm tall. Stem scarcely branched, covered with
a thick fibrous coat of persistent leaf bases. Leaves in tuft at stem tip, long,
slender, upper leaf surface hairy towards tip; arching, deciduous. Flowers
± 40 mm in diameter, mauve to purple; stamens 6, anthers conspicuous,
yellow; solitary on hairy stalks, up to 100 mm long. Fruit: a capsule. Gener-
al: used in traditional medicine.
LIM and MP.
Spring.
VERBENACEAE
Lantana cf. rugosa Thunb.
Lantana: an ancient name for Viburnum, which this genus resembles; ru-
gosa: wrinkled.
Bird’s brandy (E); wildesalie (A); mosunkwane (S); tshidzimba-vhalisa (V)
Straggly, much-branched, aromatic shrub, up to 1 m tall. Leaves opposite
or in whorls of 3 or 4, prominently veined below, margins toothed. Flowers
small, pink to purple; in dense clusters of ± 20 mm diameter, flowers open
successively towards the cluster centre, on long stalks, in leaf axils. Fruit
round, fleshy, purple, in elongated clusters; edible. General: flowers attract
butterflies.
Hillsides, grassland and bushveld, often in
shade of bush clumps.
Spring–autumn.
VERBENACEAE
*Verbena bonariensis L.
verbenae: sacred branches of olive, myrtle or laurel; bonariensis: from

Bonaria, Buenos Aires, South America.
Wild verbena, purple top (E); blouwaterbossie (A)
Erect herb, up to 2 m tall. Stems 4-angled, shortly hairy, sparsely branched.
Leaves opposite, narrow, stalkless, margins sharply toothed. Flowers small,
purple; inflorescences terminal, flat-topped, branched, congested. General:
visited by butterflies and wasps. Common weed, indigenous to South Amer-
ica. Verbena brasiliensis is similar but smaller.
Grassland, along streams, disturbed places.
Summer.
VELLOZIACEAE
VITACEAE
Rhoicissus tomentosa (Lam.) Wild & R.B.Drumm.
rhoia: pomegranate – an obscure reference, kissos: ivy, small climber with

tendrils; tomentosa: densely covered with short hairs.
Forest grape (E); bosdruif (A); mogolobe (S); dyathoho (V)
Robust woody climber, stems up to 20 m long. Plant densely covered with
rust-coloured, velvety hairs. Leaves simple, often round or kidney-shaped,
3-veined from the base, shallowly lobed, mature leaves ± hairless above,
tendrils leaf-opposed. Flowers small, greenish, in dense clusters ± 20 mm
in diameter. Fruit round, fleshy, ± 20 mm in diameter, dark purple when
ripe, edible.
Forest, forest margins.
Spring–summer.
VITACEAE
Green
ANACARDIACEAE
Searsia discolor (E.Mey. ex Sond.) Moffett
(= Rhus discolor)
Searsia: named after Paul B. Sears (1891–1990), American plant ecolo-
gist; discolor: with different colours – refers to the leaves.
Grassveld currant (E); grasveldtaaibos (A)
Erect shrublet, up to 500 mm tall. Often in big colonies. Rootstock large,
underground, woody; stems hairy, sparsely branched. Leaves stalked, with
3 narrow leaflets, upper surface green, lower white-felted, veins prominent
below, tips sharply pointed. Flowers very small, greenish to yellowish; in
clusters between top leaves; male and female
flowers on separate plants. Fruit: round, small,
yellowish brown.
Grassland.
Spring–summer.
ANACARDIACEAE
Searsia gracillima (Engl.) Moffett
S. gracillima var. glaberrima (Schönland) Moffett (= Rhus gracillima)

gracillima: thin or slender – refers to the slender stems and leaves with long
narrow leaflets, glaberrima: refers to the smooth, hairless leaflets.
Needle-leaved dwarf currant (E); naaldvormige dwergtaaibos (A)
Slender shrublet, up to 1 m tall. Stem sparsely branched. Leaves widely
spaced, drooping, with 3 thread-like leaflets, ± 100 mm long, stiff, pointed,
hairless. Flowers tiny, yellowish green; in sprays; male and female flowers on
separate plants. Fruit ± 5 mm in diameter, fleshy, smooth, shiny. General:
var. gracillima distinguished by hairy leaflets.
GP, LIM and MP.
Grassy hillsides.
Summer.
ANACARDIACEAE
Searsia pondoensis (Schönland) Moffett
(= Rhus pondoensis)
pondoensis: from Pondoland in the Eastern Cape where the type specimen
was collected.
Many-veined currant (E); veelnerftaaibos (A)
Slender, upright shrublet, up to 1 m tall. Stem ribbed, sparsely branched.
Leaves with 3 narrow leaflets, stiff, sharply pointed, dull grey-green; midrib
and side veins prominent above and below. Flowers tiny, yellowish green;
inflorescences in leaf axils and terminal, latter up to 70 mm long. Fruit
± 5 mm in diameter, fleshy, shiny, chestnut-
brown.
KZN, LIM and MP.
Summer–autumn.
ANACARDIACEAE
APOCYNACEAE
Asclepias cultriformis (Harv. ex Schltr.) Schltr.
Asclepias: named after the Greek doctor Aesculapius, immortalised as a

god of medicine; cultriformis: curved like a scimitar.
Satellite-dish (E)
Erect perennial herb, up to 300 mm tall. Rootstock woody; stem solitary;
plant covered in long white hairs; sap milky. Leaves lance-shaped, ascend-
ing, opposite. Flowers ± 20 mm in diameter, lobes 5, spreading, tips turned
up, green-yellow inside, greyish pink and densely hairy outside; corona large,
5-lobed, white, violet at base; in 1–3 nodding umbels, up to 60 mm in di-
ameter, at nodes and terminal.
Grassland.
Summer.
APOCYNACEAE
Aspidoglossum ovalifolium (Schltr.) Kupicha
aspidos: small shield; glossa: tongue – refers to the shape of the corona
lobes; ovalifolium: with oval leaves.
Variable shield-tongue (E)
Erect perennial herb, up to 200 mm tall. Stem usually solitary, unbranched.
Leaves variable in shape, size and hairiness, needle-shaped to broadly ellip-
tic. Flowers relatively large, ± 20 mm in diameter, lobes 5, spreading, green
striped brown or dark purplish brown; corona lobes variously shaped, with
long, slender tips, shoulders peaked, white marked with pink; several crowd-
ed towards top of stem. Fruit erect, tapering to
pointed tip, ± 40 mm long, bristly. General: the
most variable species of the genus.
Grassland, sometimes near water.
Spring–summer.
APOCYNACEAE
Gomphocarpus physocarpus E.Mey.
gompho: club, carpus: fruit; physo: bladdery – refers to the inflated fruits.
Balloon cottonbush, hairy balls (E); balbossie (A)
Bushy, perennial herb, up to 1.6 m tall. All parts with milky sap. Leaves
opposite, narrow, tapering gradually towards the base. Flowers small, lobes
bent backwards, white; in nodding clusters. Fruit large, up to 70 mm in di-
ameter, roundish, inflated, covered in soft spines. General: a weed in places;
reportedly poisonous. Used traditionally to treat headache. For white flowers
see p. 34.
On wet soils, disturbed areas.
Spring–summer.
APOCYNACEAE
APOCYNACEAE
Raphionacme galpinii Schltr.
raphis: needle, acme: point – refers to the leaves ending in a sharp point;
galpinii: named after Ernest E. Galpin (1858–1941), South African
banker and amateur botanist.
Galpin’s raphio (E); melkbol (A)
Erect perennial herb, up to 250 mm tall. Tuber underground, up to 150 mm
in diameter; stems usually unbranched. Leaves lance-shaped, softly hairy
on both surfaces, opposite. Flowers small, star-shaped, hairy outside, bright
green, purple at base; corona lobes ending in thread-like branches; in dense
clusters, ± 20 mm in diameter, in leaf axils.
Spring–summer.
APOCYNACEAE
Raphionacme procumbens Schltr.
procumbens: flat on the ground.

Creeping raphio (E)
Trailing herb, stems up to 500 mm long, hairy. Tuber underground, up to
150 mm in diameter, round. Leaves opposite, widely spaced, velvety, both
surfaces covered with long soft hairs, folded upwards along midrib. Flowers
small, ± 10 mm in diameter, star-shaped, lobes 5, bent backwards, green;
corona purple, lobes split in 3; many in dense, ± round clusters, hanging,
near upper leaf nodes. Fruit ± 40 mm long, pointed.
KZN, LIM and MP.
Grassland, rocky mountainsides.
Spring–summer.
APOCYNACEAE
Schizoglossum bidens E.Mey.
S. bidens subsp. productum (N.E.Br.) Kupicha

schizo: split-, glossum: tongue – refers to the shape of the corona lobes;
bidens: 2-toothed; productum: elongated.
Erect perennial herb, up to 500 mm tall. Rootstock tuberous; stem solitary,
unbranched; sap milky. Leaves ascending, in whorls, 5–9 mm wide, long,
margins rolled under. Flowers with lobes ± 6 mm long, ± erect, margins
rolled back, brownish green, alternating with white corona lobes; in stalked
umbels, at nodes and terminal. Fruit elongated, tip beaked, covered in soft
bristles. General: subsp. galpinii (Schltr.) Kupi-
cha distinguished by its narrower leaves and
smaller flowers.
KZN, LIM and MP.
Mountain grassland.
Summer.
APOCYNACEAE
APOCYNACEAE
Schizoglossum cordifolium E.Mey.
cordifolium: with heart-shaped leaves.

Common split-tongue (E); melkwortel (A)
Erect perennial herb, up to 500 mm tall. Rootstock tuberous; stems shortly
hairy, rarely branched; sap milky. Leaves spreading, in pairs alternately at
right angles, widely spaced, spreading, narrowly heart-shaped. Flowers with
lobes ± 6 mm long, ± erect, margins rolled back, green lined with brown
or yellow; corona lobes broad, with 2 finger-like projections pointing to the
centre of the flower, white or pale green; several in stalked umbels, at upper
nodes. Fruit spindle-shaped, tip beaked.
Open grassland.
Spring–summer.
APOCYNACEAE
Sisyranthus imberbis Harv.
sus: pig, anthos: flower, allusion unclear; imberbis: without hairs.

Grass-flower (E)
Very slender perennial herb, up to 600 mm tall. Stem usually unbranched,
slanting, hairless. Leaves thread-like, up to 130 × 2 mm, folded length-
wise, stalkless. Flowers ± 5 mm in diameter, bell-shaped, slightly contracted
at the mouth, lobes ascending–spreading, greenish cream, 5 small tufts of
hairs in the throat, alternating with corona lobes; in long-stalked umbels,
hanging. Fruit paired, slender; seeds with tufts of hairs. General: easily over-
looked in long grass.
Damp grassland.
Spring–summer.
ASTERACEAE
*Acanthospermum australe (Loefl.) Kuntze
acantho-: spiny, spermum: -seeded; austral: of the south.

Starburr (E); kruipsterklits (A)
Spreading herb, up to 50 mm tall. Stems lying on the ground; densely hairy.
Leaves opposite, hairy. Flowers very small, white; in clusters. Fruit burr-like,
covered in short hooked spines, 6 or 7 in a flat, circular cluster. General:
common weed; indigenous to South America.
Overgrazed grassland, disturbed areas.
Summer–autumn.
APOCYNACEAE
ASTERACEAE
Laggera crispata (Vahl) Hepper & J.R.I.Wood
(= Blumea alata)
Laggera: named after Franz J. Lagger (1802–1870), Swiss physician and
botanist; crispata: crisped.
Muishondbossie (A); motshikidi (L)
Stout much-branched herb, up to 2 m tall. Woody at base; stems sever-
al, winged; slightly aromatic. Leaves stalkless, ± elliptic, margins toothed.
Flower heads ± 12 mm in diameter, outer flowers slender, thread-like, inner
disc flowers, pinkish purple, surrounded by bracts curved outwards; hang-
ing on arching stalks, in terminal inflorescence.
General: used medicinally by the Lobedu, no
details available.
Bushveld, disturbed places.
Autumn–winter.
CUCURBITACEAE
Cucumis hirsutus Sond.
Cucumis: Latin name for cucumber; hirsutus: hairy.

Wild cucumber (E); suurkomkommertjie (A); monyaku, sepo (S)
Perennial creeper, stems up to 2.5 m long. Rootstock woody; plant roughly
hairy throughout. Leaves 3–5-lobed, central lobe the longest, surface rough;
a tendril at each node. Flowers ± 20 mm in diameter, creamy white to pale
yellow, veined; male and female flowers on separate plants. Fruit round,
smooth, green with darker markings. General: young leaves cooked as veg-
etable. Used in traditional medicine to heal internal sores. For white flowers
see p. 60.
Spring–summer.
CYPERACEAE
Carex sp. Wahlenb.
(= Schoenoxiphium sparteum)
Carex: Latin name for sedge; spartea: pertaining to the genus Spartium, the
Spanish broom, in the Fabaceae family.
Tufted, erect perennial, up to 450 mm tall. Leaves basal and on stem, grass-
like, long, slender, tapering to tips. Flowers tiny, male or female; in rather
compact, rigid inflorescence, overtopping the leaves. Fruit a nutlet. General:
range extends from the Cape to Ethiopia. The genus is under revision in
South Africa.
EC, FS, KZN and LIM.
Damp shady slopes.
Spring.
ASTERACEAE
EUPHORBIACEAE
Euphorbia pulvinata Marloth
Euphorbia: named after Euphorbus, 1st century physician; pulvinata:

cushion-shaped.
Pincushion cactus, prickly heaps (E); voetangel (A)
Perennial succulent, up to 300 mm tall. Branched at ± ground level;
branches densely packed into cushion-like mounds up to 1.5 m in diameter,
7–10-angled, green, with spines ± 10 mm long. Leaves small, few at tips of
branches, fall off soon after appearing. Flowers small, yellow to red-brown,
at the tips of branches. Fruit a capsule, ± 4 mm in diameter. General: pop-
ular ornamental plant.
Stony mountainsides.
Spring–summer.
EUPHORBIACEAE
Euphorbia striata Thunb.
striata: marked with lines – refers to the stems.

Milkweed, spurge (E); melkgras (A)
Slender, erect perennial herb, up to 400 mm tall. Rootstock woody; stems
several, unbranched, with longitudinal lines; sap milky. Leaves few, alter-
nate, erect, stem-clasping, narrow, tapering to a pointed tip, margins red.
Flowers small, cup-shaped, conspicuous glands surrounding several stamens
(reduced male flowers) and a central reduced female flower, yellow-green;
3–5 in a loose terminal inflorescence. Fruit a 3-lobed capsule, ± 3 mm in
diameter. General: used traditionally to flavour
sour milk.
Grassland.
Spring–summer.
EUPHORBIACEAE
Tragia okanyua Pax
Tragia: named after Hieronymus Tragus (1498–1554), German botanist

and physician; okanyua: origin unknown.
Stinging nettle (E)
Twining perennial herb, stems up to 2 m long; erect when young. Rootstock
woody; plant covered with stinging hairs. Leaves alternate, heart-shaped, on
long stalks, margins toothed. Flowers inconspicuous, small, greenish, petals
absent, calyx lobes somewhat fleshy, male or female; in erect inflorescences
comprising male and female flowers; terminal or leaf-opposed. Fruit 3-lobed,
hairy, yellow-green, ± 15 mm wide. General:
plants cause a severe burning sensation when
touched.
GP, LIM, MP and NW.
Rocky outcrops, riverine scrub, bushveld.
Spring–autumn.
EUPHORBIACEAE
HYACINTHACEAE
Albuca abyssinica Jacq.
albus: white – refers to some Albuca flowers being at least partly white;
abyssinica: from Abyssinia, now Ethiopia.
Bushveld slime lily (E); bosveld slymlelie (A)
Perennial bulbous herb, up to 1 m tall. Leaves strap-shaped, hairy below
towards the base. Flowers ± 15 mm long, greenish yellow, erect, inner 3
lobes converging, outer 3 spreading; on long stalks, in many-flowered in-
florescence; elongating in fruit. General: widespread through southern and
tropical Africa, extending to the Arabian Peninsula.
Rocky slopes.
Spring–summer.
HYACINTHACEAE
Dipcadi marlothii Engl.
dipcadi: oriental name originally used for the grape hyacinth; marlothii:
named after Hermann W.R. Marloth (1855–1931), German-born South
African pharmacist and botanist.
Dronkui (A)
Slender, erect, bulbous herb, up to 500 mm tall. Usually solitary. Bulb
± 15 mm in diameter. Leaves basal, grass-like, ± twisted in upper part.
Flowers ± 12 mm long, tubular, lobes without ‘tails’, spreading, green to
brownish; on upper third of stem, all open flowers pointing in the same
direction, inflorescence tip drooping sharply in
bud (as if wilted). General: bulb edible.
Grassland.
Spring–summer.
HYACINTHACEAE
Eucomis autumnalis (Mill.) Chitt.
eukomes: beautifully haired – refers to the crown of bracts; autumnalis:

autumn-flowering.
Pineapple lily (E); wildepynappel (A); maphuma difala (S)
Robust, erect perennial herb, up to 500 mm tall. Solitary or in groups. Bulb
± conical, dark brown, roots many. Leaves in a basal rosette, soft, broadly
lance-shaped, margins wavy. Flowers ± 15 mm in diameter, on short stalks,
pale green, yellowish or whitish; many in dense inflorescence, topped by a
crown of green, leafy bracts. General: widely used in traditional medicine.
Open grassland, mountainsides, marshes.
Summer–autumn.
HYACINTHACEAE
HYACINTHACEAE
Ledebouria inquinata (C.A.Sm.) Jessop
Ledebouria: named after Carl F. von Ledebour (1785–1851), German-Esto-

nian botanist; inquinata: stained.
Wild African hyacinth (E)
Bulbous herb, up to 150 mm tall. Bulb egg-shaped, ± 30 mm in diameter,
dead scales speckled purple, live scales purplish. Leaves pale bluish green
with purplish or dark green spots, tapering to a long tip, margins wavy at
base; partly emerged at flowering, conspicuous later in the season. Flowers
small, pink-mauve; many in several inflorescences, spreading horizontally.
GP, LIM, MP and NW.
Rocky outcrops.
Spring–summer.
HYACINTHACEAE
Ledebouria zebrina (Baker) S.Venter
zebrina: striped – refers to parallel lines on leaves.

Giant African hyacinth (E)
Bulbous herb, up to 300 mm tall. Bulb ± 100 mm in diameter. Leaves 4–6,
large, up to 400 mm long, broad, develop to their full size after flowering,
dull green, sometimes with darker markings, with threads when torn. Flow-
ers small, ± 5 mm long, light green with darker green central stripe; many in
4–10 bottlebrush-like inflorescences, spreading horizontally.
Bushveld.
Spring.
ORCHIDACEAE
Habenaria filicornis Lindl.
habena: strap or thong, aria: possessing – refers to the long spur; fili:
thread, cornis: horned – refers to the thread-like slender spur.
Slender, erect, perennial herb, up to 500 mm tall. Root tuberous. Leaves
few, on stem, narrow, ± erect. Flowers small, green, upper midlobe erect,
± 5 mm long, lip with 3 narrow lobes, lip midlobe slightly longer and broad-
er than side lobes; spur slender, ± 25 mm long; many in lax inflorescence.
General: inconspicuous in its grassy habitat. Most Habenaria species appear
to be adapted to moth pollination.
Seasonally marshy grassland.
Summer.
HYACINTHACEAE
ORCHIDACEAE
Habenaria galpinii Bolus

Slender perennial herb, up to 350 mm tall. Leaves several, narrow, clustered
near the base. Flowers ± 15 mm long, green, protruding stigma arms white;
lip 3-lobed, midlobe much longer than side lobes; spur up to 20 mm long,
distinctly curved, slightly swollen in lower part; in lax inflorescence with leafy
bracts. General: in shallow, wet humus over rock sheets.
GP, LIM, MP and NW.
Damp grassland, often along streams.
Summer–autumn.
ORCHIDACEAE
Orthochilus foliosus (Lindl.) Bytebier
(= Eulophia foliosa)
ortho-: upright, straight, cheilos: lip; foliosus: leafy.
Semi-erect perennial herb, up to 350 mm tall. Leaves partly to fully devel-
oped at flowering, stiff, erect, narrow, ribbed. Flowers ± 15 mm long, lip
3-lobed, bearing crests, spur absent; not opening widely, facing downwards,
dull lime-green with a dark to pale purple to white lip; many in dense inflo-
rescence. General: sometimes in colonies; from near sea level to 2 000 m.
Pollinated by click beetles.
Damp grassland.
Spring–summer.
ORCHIDACEAE
Satyrium parviflorum Sw.
of horn-like spurs on the lip; parviflorum: with small flowers.
Devil orchid (E)
Slender to robust, erect, perennial herb, up to 600 mm tall. Leaves 2–4,
variable, at the base of the flowering stem or on a shoot next to it. Flow-
ers ± 5 mm in diameter; lip egg-shaped with a very small opening, spurs
curved; yellowish green, sometimes tinged with purple; bracts usually match
the flower colour; sweetly scented; in lax inflorescence. General: in a wide
variety of habitats.
Grassland, moist to dry places.
Spring–summer.
ORCHIDACEAE
PERACEAE
Clutia affinis Sond.
Clutia: named after Outgers Cluyt (1577–1636), Dutch botanist and apoth-
ecary; affinis: closely related.
Water lightning-bush (E); waterbliksembos (A)
Erect, much-branched shrub, up to 3 m tall. Main stem and branchlets pale
green to grey, hairy. Leaves alternate, elliptic, with stalks, main veins rather
distinct; paler green below; turning orange with age. Flowers ± 3 mm in
diameter, yellowish green; clustered in leaf axils; male and female flowers
on separate plants. Fruit a 3-lobed capsule, green, ± 5 mm in diameter,
splitting open when ripe.
Grassland, shrubland, forest margins.
Summer.
PERACEAE
Clutia monticola S.Moore
monticola: growing on mountains.

Many-stemmed shrublet, up to 350 mm tall. Rootstock woody; stems erect,
closely leafy. Leaves stalkless, egg- to lance-shaped, soft, smooth, young
leaves conspicuously yellow-green, pale green when mature, sometimes
turning pink in winter. Flowers on stalks, ± 5 mm in diameter, greenish;
in leaf axils, hidden by leaves; male and female flowers on separate plants.
Fruit: a capsule, woody, round, ± 5 mm in diameter, splitting open when
ripe; seeds shiny, black.
Grassland.
Spring–summer.
PERACEAE
Clutia pulchella L.
C. pulchella var. pulchella

pulchella: pretty and small.
Lightning bush (E); weerligbos (A)
Shrub up to 2.5 m tall, or small tree up to 6 m tall. Leaves alternate,
stalked, egg-shaped, blue-green, a few scattered bright orange leaves pres-
ent throughout the year. Flowers ± 5 mm in diameter, cream-coloured; 1–3
clustered in leaf axils; male and female flowers on separate plants. Fruit a
3-lobed capsule, green, warty. General: used in traditional medicine and as
protection against lightning. Range extends into
Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique.
Summer.
PERACEAE
PHYLLANTHACEAE
Phyllanthus incurvus Thunb.
phyllon: leaf, anthos: flower, in some species the flowers are borne on leaf-
like branches; incurvus: curved inwards.
Dyebossie (A)
Slender perennial herb, up to 300 mm tall. Rootstock woody; stems many,
ascending, whip-like. Leaves long, narrowly lance-shaped, with stipules, al-
ternate, widely spaced. Flowers tiny, ± 4 mm in diameter, with 4–6 lobes,
yellowish red; male flowers clustered, female solitary, in upper leaf axils,
male and female flowers mostly on same plant. Fruit a capsule, seeds 3-an-
gled.
Woodland, grassland, rocky slopes.
Summer.
PHYLLANTHACEAE
Phyllanthus nummulariifolius Poir.
nummulus: dreaded money, -folius: -leaved.

Multi-stemmed shrublet, up to 500 mm tall. Stems erect, often reddish;
flowering branches numerous. Leaves egg-shaped, usually rounded at both
ends, midrib and side veins slightly prominent below, stipules present; alter-
nate, arranged in 2 opposite rows, pointing towards the tip of the branch.
Flowers tiny, ± 4 mm in diameter, cream-white; male (stalk ± 5 mm long)
and female (stalk up to 20 mm long) flowers; in leaf axils, hanging below
branches. Fruit a capsule, flattened.
KZN, LIM and MP.
Woodland, wooded grassland and forest
margins.
Summer.
RUBIACEAE
Anthospermum herbaceum L.f.
anthos: flower, sperma: seed, allusion unclear; herbaceum: soft in texture,

not woody.
Perennial herb with stems straggling, trailing up to 2 m long or ± erect up to
300 mm tall. Stems tinged pink. Leaves widely spaced, opposite, alternately
at right angles, short leafy shoots in axils. Flowers small, ± 4 mm long,
greenish to yellow; stigmas 2, whitish, protruding, conspicuous. General:
highly variable in most of its characters; range extends from the Cape to
Ethiopia and the Arabian Peninsula.
Forest margins, scrub, riverine thicket, edge of
marshes, grassland, rocky slopes.
PHYLLANTHACEAE
RUBIACEAE
Anthospermum hispidulum E.Mey. ex Sond.
hispidulum: covered with stiff hairs.

Much-branched dwarf shrub, up to 400 mm tall. Rootstock woody; stems
several, ascending to erect, hairy, often reddish brown. Leaves lance-shaped,
in dense whorls, both surfaces covered with white hairs. Flowers inconspic-
uous, 4-lobed, small, ± stalkless, greenish yellow; in clusters at nodes. Gen-
eral: in this genus flowers are male, bisexual or female, occurring separately
or in various combinations on individual plants.
Rocky ridges, outcrops, in cracks of rock
sheets.
Summer.
RUBIACEAE
Anthospermum welwitschii Hiern

botanist, explorer and medical doctor.
Evergreen, erect shrub, 1–3 m tall. Stems mostly branched above; branches
paired, ascending, reddish brown. Leaves small, elliptic, tip pointed, usually
stalkless, clustered. Flowers small, ± 5 mm long, greenish yellow; female
flowers with 2 stigmas, up to 10 mm long, protruding; many in ± stalkless
clusters at nodes, male and female flowers (see image) usually on separate
plants. General: distribution extends to tropical East Africa and Angola.
KZN, LIM and MP.
Forest margins, scrub, disturbed sites.
Summer–winter.
RUBIACEAE
Bridsonia chamaedendrum (Kuntze) Verstraete & A.E.van Wyk
(= Pygmaeothamnus chamaedendrum)
Bridsonia: named after Diane M. Bridson (b. 1942), British botanist; cha-
maedendrum: dwarf tree.
Pygmy medlar, pygmy sand apple (E); goorappel (A)
Small perennial herb, up to 150 mm tall. In colonies; individuals intercon-
nected by woody underground stems up to 60 mm thick. Leaves opposite,
at the tips of stems. Flowers ± 12 mm in diameter, densely hairy in throat,
lobes 5, spreading, pale green or yellowish green; scented; in clusters, mostly
below leaves. Fruit fleshy, round. General: larg-
er colonies may be hundreds of years old.
Grassland.
Spring–summer.
RUBIACEAE
RUBIACEAE
Galopina aspera (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Walp.
Galopina: unexplained name, given by Thunberg; aspera: rough.

Erect, perennial herb, up to 1 m tall. Stems 1–several, mostly unbranched,
usually shortly hairy. Leaves ± elliptic, both surfaces hairy, appendage of
leaf clasping the stem with 3–5 bristles. Flowers tiny, inconspicuous, bell-
shaped, stamens and stigmas protruding, greenish yellow or purplish; inflo-
rescence narrowly cylindrical, ± 300 mm long. Fruit brownish, covered with
wart-like knobs. General: growing mostly in ± sunny places.
Tall grassland, forest margin scrub.
Summer.
SMILACACEAE
Smilax anceps Willd.
smilakos: twining; anceps: 2-edged, flattened.

Leg-ripper (E); doringtou, wag-‘n-bietjie-klimop (A)
Vigorous, perennial climber, stems up to 5 m long, tough, prickly. Leaves al-
ternate, egg-shaped to elliptic, leathery, blue-green, markedly 3-veined from
the base, net-veined in between; pairs of coiled tendrils near base of leaf
stalk. Flowers small, greenish white, lobes bent backwards; many in round-
ed clusters, ± 30 mm in diameter, in leaf axils; male and female flowers on
separate plants. Fruit a berry, round, ± 5 mm in diameter, purple when ripe.
Summer.
RUBIACEAE
Brown
APOCYNACEAE
Anisotoma pedunculata N.E.Br.
aniso-: unequal, tome: cut – possibly refers to the leaves or flower lobes;
pedunculata: with a flower stalk.
Common spiderweb (E)
Trailing, perennial herb, stems up to 600 mm long, hairy. Rootstock woody.
Leaves opposite, held horizontally, ± heart-shaped, on stalks. Flowers
± 10 mm in diameter, lobes 5, cream-coloured from the base, purplish
brown in upper part, spreading, margins rolled under, hairy; corona lobes
lance-shaped, white; 2–10 on erect stem, up to 50 mm long, at the nodes.
Fruit spindle-shaped, ± 100 mm long, slender.
Grassland, usually among rocks.
Spring–summer.
APOCYNACEAE
Asclepias fulva N.E.Br.
(= A. dregeana)
Asclepias: named after the Greek doctor Aesculapius, immortalised as a
god of medicine; fulva: tawny, brownish yellow.
Button-heads (E)
Erect perennial herb, up to 300 mm tall. Stem unbranched, covered in short
brown hairs; sap milky. Leaves lance-shaped, erect, opposite, both surfaces with
rust-coloured hairs when young, becoming hairless with age. Flowers ± 15 mm
in diameter, lobes 5, spreading, curved, ± bent backwards, dull orange inside,
purple-brown outside; corona lobes compressed
sideways, yellowish; in nodding umbels, on
stalks up to 50 mm long, at nodes and terminal.
Grassland.
Spring–summer.
APOCYNACEAE
Ceropegia barberae (Harv. ex Hook.f.) Bruyns
(= Brachystelma barberae)
keros: wax, pege: fountain – refers to the texture and form of the flowers;
barberae: named after Mary E. Barber (1818–1899), botanical artist
and plant collector.
Barber’s brachystelma (E); platvoetaasblom (A)
Perennial dwarf herb, up to 100 mm tall. Tuber ± disc-shaped; stems short,
hairy; sap watery. Leaves opposite, on short stalks, hairy. Flowers large, up
to 100 mm in diameter, cage-like, lobes slender, elongated, united at tips;
inner surface maroon to crimson-brown, green-
ish outside; scent unpleasant; sometimes ap-
pearing before leaves; up to 25 all open at once.
EC, GP, KZN and LIM.
Grassland in sand.
Spring. S.J. Siebert
APOCYNACEAE
APOCYNACEAE
Ceropegia carnosa E.Mey.
(= C. racemosa)
carnosa: fleshy, thick and soft.
Trailing perennial herb, stems up to 1 m long. Rootstock with cluster of fleshy
roots. Leaves slightly fleshy, egg- to lance-shaped. Flowers up to 25 mm
long, erect, tube slightly curved, lobes united at tips, forming a rounded
cage-like structure, with long, whitish hairs on the upper part; greenish
white with maroon markings, 2–5, developing successively, on slender stalk,
at nodes.
Bush clumps on rocky outcrops, rocky hill-
sides, riverine bush.
Summer.
APOCYNACEAE
Ceropegia coddii (R.A.Dyer) Bruyns
(= Brachystelma coddii)
coddii: named after Leslie E.W. Codd (1908–1999), South African bota-
nist.
Dwarf perennial herb, stems up to 500 mm long, trailing, hairy. Tuber ± flat-
tened at the top, up to 50 mm in diameter. Leaves egg-shaped, opposite, on
short stalks, sparsely hairy, blue-green. Flowers star-shaped, ± 20 mm in
diameter, velvety, maroon or scarlet, marked with maroon stripes and edged
with maroon; mainly solitary, near nodes. Fruit spindle-shaped, smooth.
General: at an altitude of 1 500–2 000 m.
LIM and MP.
Rocky areas in mistbelt.
Spring–summer.
APOCYNACEAE
Ceropegia gerrardii (Harv.) Bruyns
(= Brachystelma gerrardii)
gerrardii: named after William T. Gerrard (circa 1831–1866), plant collec-
tor in KwaZulu-Natal and Madagascar.
Gerrard’s brachystelma (E)
Erect perennial herb, up to 300 mm tall. Rootstock with fleshy, spindle-shaped
roots; stem simple or sparingly branched above, hairy. Leaves broadly egg-
shaped, hairy. Flowers propeller-like, up to 20 mm long, divided ± to base,
constricted below the middle forming a bulbous base, lobes spreading in
upper part, long hairs on margin; dark green to
metallic black; corona lobes cream; on slender
stalk, solitary at upper nodes.
KZN, LIM and MP.
Grassland.
Summer.
APOCYNACEAE
APOCYNACEAE
Ceropegia oiantha (Schltr.) Bruyns
(= Brachystelma oianthum)
oios: alone, one, anthos: flower.
Perennial herb, up to 80 mm tall. Tuber up to 50 mm in diameter; stems 1
or 2, sparingly branched, hairy. Leaves egg- to lance-shaped, hairy, folded
upward along midrib. Flowers fairly large, up to 25 mm long, conspicuously
egg-shaped, slightly narrowed to the mouth, lobes 5, short, with a fringe of
purplish hairs, spreading to slightly nodding, on short stalks; outside yellow,
inside with purple-brown mottling or entirely purple-brown; corona purple
brown; solitary at the nodes.
GP, LIM, MP and NW.
Rocky outcrops of mountains.
Spring.
G. Cooper
APOCYNACEAE
Orbea melanantha (Schltr.) Bruyns
orbis: ring, circle – refers to the central raised disc in flowers of most spe-
cies; melanantha: black-flowered.
Short-lobed brown carrion flower (E); kort-lob bruin aasblom (A)
Succulent perennial herb, up to 100 mm tall. Mat-forming. Stems pale
green, 4-angled, prominently toothed along angles. Leaves tiny, not func-
tional, at tips of stem teeth. Flowers shallowly bowl-shaped, ± 50 mm in
diameter, lobes hairy inside, black to purple or reddish, corona brown to
purple, with yellow in the centre; strong odour of rotting flesh, attracting flies;
in several-flowered inflorescences.
GP, LIM and MP.
Rocky outcrops or sandy flats in shade.
Spring–summer.
APOCYNACEAE
Pachycarpus cf. appendiculatus E.Mey.
pachy: thick, carpus: fruit – refers to the thick-skinned fruit; appendicula-

tus: with appendages – refers to the corona.
African milkweed, soccerball thick-fruit (E)
Robust, perennial herb, up to 500 mm tall. Stem erect, unbranched; sap
milky. Leaves lance-shaped to elliptic, leathery. Flowers ± 20 mm in diame-
ter, nodding, lobes bent backwards; greenish white, often tinged with purple;
corona light green, lobes with a claw-like appendage; 2–3 clustered together
at upper nodes and terminal. Fruit inflated, winged in upper half. General:
concentrated nectar of flowers consumed by
spider-hunting wasps.
Grassland.
Spring–summer.
APOCYNACEAE
APOCYNACEAE
Pachycarpus campanulatus (Harv.) N.E.Br.
P. campanulatus var. sutherlandii N.E.Br.

campanulatus: bell-shaped; sutherlandii: named after Peter C. Sutherland
(1822–1900), Surveyor-General of Natal and plant collector.
Fairy-bell pachycarpus (E)
Perennial herb, up to 500 mm tall. Stem unbranched. Leaves opposite,
± erect, long, narrow, margins rolled under, midvein prominent below.
Flowers showy, round, ± 30 mm in diameter, creamy or golden-beige, coro-
na star-shaped, lobes yellow-cream and maroon; 3–7 in a terminal umbel,
solitary, nodding.
Mountain grassland.
Summer–autumn.
APOCYNACEAE
Pachycarpus concolor E.Mey.
P. concolor subsp. concolor

concolor: all the same colour.
Astral pachycarpus, thick-fruit (E)
Perennial herb, up to 650 mm tall. Rootstock turnip-shaped; stems solitary
or several, slanting to erect, usually unbranched; sap milky. Leaves spread-
ing, shape variable, margins wavy, hairy, opposite. Flowers large, ± 25 mm
in diameter, shallowly cup-shaped, lobes spreading to erect, greenish, yel-
lowish or brown, with purple markings; corona lobes flattened, gradually
tapering to a point, spreading at the base, tips
erect or curved inwards, purple-brown; in pairs,
at nodes. Fruit spindle-shaped, erect.
Open grassland.
Spring–summer.
APOCYNACEAE
Riocreuxia picta Schltr.
Riocreuxia: named after Alfred Riocreux (1820–1912), French botanical

artist; picta: painted, brightly marked.
Khethokhu-sodi (L); damba (V)
Twining, perennial herb, stems up to several metres long, sparingly branched.
Leaves heart-shaped, tapering to a fine point, stalked. Flowers erect,
± 20 mm long, tube with round basal swelling, lobes 5, joined at tips to
form a cage, ± as long as tube, cream with purple-brown veins; many in um-
bel-like clusters, in leaf axils. Fruit slender, ± 100 mm long, spindle-shaped,
smooth. General: leaves cooked as spinach.
Climbing in forest margins.
Summer.
APOCYNACEAE
APOCYNACEAE
Vincetoxicum coddii (Bull.) Meve & Liede
(= Tylophora coddii)
vincere: to conquer, toxicum: poison – refers to the belief that this plant
could counter poison; coddii: named after Leslie E.W. Codd (1908–
Erect shrublet, up to 550 mm tall. Stem sparsely branched, often trailing near
the base. Leaves narrowly lance-shaped, opposite. Flowers star-shaped, lobes
± 10 mm long, narrow, spreading, pale brownish green, blood-red at base;
overlapping each other in bud; corona with minute fleshy protuberances; inflo-
rescences few-flowered, at upper nodes. Gener-
al: endemic to the Blouberg, Soutpansberg and
Makgabeng; at altitudes of 1 000–1 600 m.
LIM.
Rocky slopes, rock crevices.
Summer.
ASTERACEAE
Senecio erubescens Aiton
fruit; erubescens: turning red.
Slender, perennial herb, up to 450 mm tall. Rootstock woody; most parts cov-
ered with hairs, often sticky; branched in upper half. Leaves mostly in a basal
rosette, stem leaves ± lance-shaped, stalkless, clasping at the base, margins
coarsely toothed. Flower heads comprising disc flowers only, ± 15 mm long,
reddish brown to purple or mauve; few in lax terminal inflorescence.
Grassland.
Spring–summer.
CRASSULACEAE
Crassula swaziensis Schönland
crassus: thick – refers to fleshy leaves; swaziensis: from Swaziland [Eswa-

tini].
Pipitwane (S)
Erect, perennial succulent, up to 200 mm tall. Branches short, each with a
terminal leaf rosette. Leaves flattened with rounded tips, grey-green to grey-
ish brown, densely covered with fine hairs. Flowers tubular, ± 5 mm long,
white to cream, often tinged pink in bud; in terminal, dense inflorescences,
on solitary stems. General: traditionally used in cleansing treatments, and as
a charm to remove bad luck.
Rock crevices.
Summer.
APOCYNACEAE
CYPERACEAE
Bulbostylis contexta (Nees) M.Bodard
bolbos: a bulb, stylos: a style – refers to the button-like style base; contexta:
woven together.
Geelhoutkop (A)
Erect perennial herb, up to 300 mm tall. Rhizome short, woody; stems tuft-
ed. Leaves basal, numerous, thread-like, up to half the length of the stem,
hairy, sheaths pale reddish brown. Flowers tiny, in small chestnut-brown
spikelets, anthers conspicuously protruding; several spikelets in a terminal
round cluster, ± 15 mm in diameter, with long white hairs; bracts scarcely
longer than the cluster. Fruit a nutlet, 3-angled,
with persisting button-like style base.
Mountain grassland.
Spring–summer.
CYPERACEAE
Bulbostylis oritrephes (Ridl.) C.B.Clarke
oritrephes: origin unknown.

Slender perennial herb, up to 300 mm tall. Rhizome short, woody, horizon-
tal, closely packed with thickened stem bases, stems densely tufted in a
characteristic straight row. Leaves ± one-third the length of the stem, very
fine, thread-like, erect. Flowers tiny, in small dark brown spikelets, styles
with 3 branches; few spikelets in a terminal oval cluster, ± 4 mm wide;
bracts scarcely longer than the cluster. General: easily seen after fire in early
spring.
Mountain grassland.
Spring–autumn.
CYPERACEAE
Coleochloa setifera (Ridl.) Gilly
koleos: a sheath, chloe: a grass – refers to the stems arising from a grass-
like sheath; setifera: bristle-bearing.
Perennial herb, up to 600 mm tall. Stems densely tufted. Leaves mainly
basal, long, rolled up lengthwise, cylindric, very tough, deciduous. Flowers
tiny, in small brown spikelets; many spikelets in dense, ± egg-shaped clus-
ters, ± 6 mm long, on stalks, in lax, slender inflorescences, borne near tips
of stems. Fruit a nutlet, up to 2 mm long, beaked. General: genus restricted
to sub-Saharan Africa.
Rock crevices.
Spring–autumn.
CYPERACEAE
CYPERACEAE
Costularia natalensis C.B.Clarke
costulatus: with fine ribs or veins – refers to the veins in the leaves; natal-
ensis: of KwaZulu-Natal.
Stout, perennial herb, up to 1.5 m tall. Stems tufted, round. Leaves nu-
merous, basal and on stem, decreasing in size upwards, long, narrow, very
tough. Flowers tiny, in dark brown spikelets, ± 8 mm long; spikelets in
branched clusters at upper stem nodes, in a ± continuous, elongated in-
florescence or appearing interrupted on long, drooping branches; bract 1,
from each node. General: populations mostly localised, limited to the eastern
highlands of southern Africa.
KZN, LIM and MP.
Damp mountain grassland.
Summer.
CYPERACEAE
Cyperus glaucophyllus Boeckeler
(= C. pseudoleptocladus)
cuperos: sedge or rush; glaucophyllus: with grey-green leaves.
Fairly robust perennial herb, up to 600 mm tall. Rhizome slanting; stem
3-angled. Leaves two-thirds the length of the stem, ± 6 mm broad, midrib
prominent below. Flowers tiny; in flat, reddish brown spikelets, ± 10 mm
long; many spikelets in umbel-like terminal inflorescence, ± 120 mm in
diameter, rays slender, of different lengths and bearing umbels themselves;
bracts leaf-like, overtopping inflorescence.
Near water.
Spring–summer.
CYPERACEAE
Cyperus keniensis Kük.
(= Mariscus keniensis)
keniensis: from Kenya.
Perennial herb, up to 800 mm tall. Rhizome short, thick; stems tufted.
Leaves mostly basal, grass-like, up to 450 × 10 mm. Flowers in narrow
spikelets, pale to dark brown, flat; many in umbel-like terminal inflorescence,
up to 200 mm in diameter; rays branching at tips; spikelets often set at right
angles; 3–5 bracts below inflorescence, leaf-like, longest up to 330 mm.
General: thought to be introduced in South Africa, widespread in Africa, Asia
and the Americas; occurs in moist habitats.
KZN, LIM and MP.
Damp grassland or marshes, plantations.
Summer.
CYPERACEAE
CYPERACEAE
Cyperus rupestris Kunth
C. rupestris var. rupestris

rupestris: rock-dwelling.
Russet rock sedge (E)
Dwarf perennial herb, up to 200 mm tall. Roots numerous, intertwine to
form dense mats; stems densely tufted, erect, 3-angled at the top, with
persistent brown leaf sheaths at the base. Leaves basal, thread-like, taper-
ing to a sharp point. Flowers in shiny dark reddish brown, flat spikelets, up
to 15 mm long; several spikelets in a radiating
terminal cluster; up to 3 bracts, thread-like.
Shallow soil at edges of rain pools.
Summer.
CYPERACEAE
Cyperus schlechteri C.B.Clarke
schlechteri: named after Friedrich R.R. Schlechter (1872–1925), German

botanist and plant collector in Africa.
Slender perennial herb, up to 220 mm tall. Stems thickened at the base,
tufted, wiry, erect, 3-angled at the top. Leaves short, narrow, ± 3 mm wide.
Flowers in compact, hard, dark brown spikelets; many in a closely packed,
round terminal cluster, spiky, small, ± 11 mm in diameter; 3 or 4 bracts,
leaf-like, up to 50 mm long. General: at altitudes of 1 700–2 600 m.
Grassland, seepage areas.
Summer.
CYPERACEAE
Cyperus solidus Kunth
(= Mariscus solidus)
solidus: solid.
Robust perennial herb, up to 1.5 m tall. Rhizome thick, woody; stem 3-an-
gled. Leaves basal, long, with a narrow groove on upper surface. Flowers
in narrow, rusty-coloured spikelets, ± 10 mm long; many in large, terminal
inflorescence, up to 150 mm in diameter; rays bearing dense clusters of
spreading spikelets; bracts leaf-like, longest up to 600 mm long.
Grassland, along watercourses, moist areas.
Spring–summer.
CYPERACEAE
CYPERACEAE
Kyllinga melanosperma Nees
Kyllinga: named after Peder L. Kylling (circa 1640–1696), Danish botanist

and apothecary; melas: black, sperma: seed.
Perennial herb, up to 1 m tall. Rhizome thick, creeping, branched; stem
3-angled in upper part. Leaves basal, few, narrow, short, margins and midrib
rough to the touch. Flowers tiny, in spikelets clustered in a terminal, ± egg-
shaped inflorescence, ± 10 mm in diameter, brownish green; bracts 3–4,
unequal, leaf-like. Fruit a nutlet, black. General: from tropical Africa south to
the Cape, Madagascar and Asia.
Edges of streams, vleis.
Spring–summer.
CYPERACEAE
Pycreus oakfortensis C.B.Clarke
Pycreus: anagram of Cyperus; the inflorescences of these 2 genera are sim-

ilar; oakfortensis: origin unknown.
Stiffly erect, perennial herb, up to 400 mm tall. In dense clumps. Leaves ba-
sal, narrow, bright green, much shorter than the stems. Flowers in spikelets
rigid, flat, shiny dark brown, ± 13 mm long; clustered in a terminal, dense,
± rounded inflorescence, ± 35 mm in diameter; bracts unequal. Fruit a
nutlet, flattened sideways, dispersed singly. General: pollinated by wind.
Vleis, seepage areas.
Spring–summer.
CYPERACEAE
Schoenoplectus corymbosus ( Roth ex Roem. & Schult.) J.Raynal

schoinos: a rush, plektos: twisted; corymbosus: having flowers arranged in
a clustered inflorescence.
Matjiesgoed (A)
Robust, erect perennial herb, up to 1.5 m tall. Forming dense stands. Stems
green, cylindrical, filled with white spongy tissue. Leaves reduced to sheaths
at stem base. Flowers tiny, many in reddish brown spikelets, in several
round clusters, on stalks of unequal lengths; in terminal inflorescence; bract
± 30 mm long, appearing as a continuation of the stem, shorter than inflo-
rescence, hard, pointed. Fruit a nutlet.
Marshy areas, stream banks.
Spring–summer.
CYPERACEAE
CYPERACEAE
Scleria bulbifera Hochst. ex A.Rich.
skleros: hard; bulbifera: bulb-bearing.

Slender perennial herb, up to 700 mm tall. Rhizome ± horizontal; stems
3-angled, tufted, bases distinctly bulb-like, up to 10 mm in diameter, woody.
Leaves widely spaced on stem, midrib prominent below. Flowers in dark
reddish brown spikelets; arranged in small, round clusters, ± 10 mm long,
in inflorescence up to 200 mm long, usually unbranched.
Open grassland.
Spring–summer.
FABACEAE
Indigofera arrecta Hochst. ex A.Rich.
indigofera: bearing indigo, a blue dye that is obtained from several species
of the genus; arrecta: upright, pointing upwards.
African indigo (E); verfbossie (A); mofedula (L)
Woody shrub, up to 2 m tall. Leaves with 6–10 pairs of narrowly elliptic leaf-
lets, often folded, usually only hairy below, leaf axis 55–80 mm long. Flow-
ers small, red to whitish pink; many in ± stalkless inflorescences, ± 30 mm
long, in leaf axils. Fruit a pod, straight, cylindrical, ± 20 mm long. General:
widespread in southern and central Africa.
Bushveld, thorn scrub and grass along stream
banks.
Summer–autumn.
FABACEAE
Indigofera homblei Baker f. & Martin
homblei: named after Henri A. Homblé (1883–1921), Belgian botanist

who collected in tropical Africa.
Shrub, up to 2 m tall. Stems and branches angular. Leaves with 5–9 pairs
of large leaflets, paler below, leaflet stalks up to 4 mm long, leaf axis longer
than 70 mm. Flowers reddish, with brownish hairs on back of large upper
petal, bracts ± 5 mm long, bent downwards, conspicuous in buds, soon
falling off; in dense inflorescences, on stalks up to 60 mm long. Fruit a
cylindrical pod, bent downwards, up to 30 mm long, beak curved upwards.
LIM and MP.
Hillsides.
Summer.
CYPERACEAE
FABACEAE
Neonotonia wightii (Wight ex Arn.) J.A.Lackey
neo: new, Notonia: a genus in the Asteraceae family; wightii: named after
Robert Wight (1796–1872), Scottish surgeon and botanist.
Robust pioneer creeper (E)
Perennial trailing or climbing herb, stems up to 10 m long, hairy. Root-
stock woody. Leaves with 3 leaflets, egg-shaped. Flowers small, ± 5 mm
long, white with blue markings, calyx shaggy; in many, erect inflorescences.
Fruit a narrow pod, somewhat constricted between the seeds, hairy. General:
browsed by bushbuck.
Forests, grassland, disturbed open bush.
Summer–autumn.
GUNNERACEAE
Gunnera perpensa L.
Gunnera: named after Johan E. Gunnerus (1718–1773), Norwegian clergy-

man and botanist; perpensa: ponder, consider.
Wild rhubarb (E); rivierpampoen (A); rambola-vhadzimu (V)
Robust perennial herb, up to 1 m tall. Rhizome yellow, fleshy; ± stemless.
Leaves like those of pumpkin, large, up to 300 mm wide, on long stalks,
margins toothed. Flowers tiny, reddish brown; many in dense, slender in-
florescence, female flowers in the lower part, male flowers above; nodding
at first, then straightening up. General: wind pollinated. Used in traditional
medicine.
Cool moist localities, mainly along mountain
stream banks.
Spring–summer.
HYACINTHACEAE
Dipcadi viride (L.) Moench
dipcadi: oriental name originally used for the grape hyacinth; viride: green.
Dainty green bells (E), gifbolletjie, grootslymuintjie (A)
Erect, bulbous herb, up to 800 mm tall. Bulb up to 50 mm in diameter.
Leaves several, ± 300 mm long, narrow, straight, clasping at the base.
Flowers ± 12 mm long, tubular, outer lobes with tail-like appendages,
± 20 mm long, green with an orange, reddish or brown tinge; inflorescence
long, slender, laxly flowered, all open flowers usually pointing in the same
direction. Fruit a capsule.
Grassland, stony flats or slopes.
Spring–summer.
FABACEAE
IRIDACEAE
Gladiolus densiflorus Baker
gladiolus: small sword – refers to the leaf shape; densiflorus: densely flow-
ered.
Slender cormous herb, up to 1.2 m tall. Leaves basal, in spreading fan, blue-
green, soft; fine, closely spaced veins. Flowers fairly small, ± 30 mm long,
funnel-shaped, colour variable, usually minutely speckled with dark purple
or red on cream, pink or mauve background, tube yellow-green inside; many
in dense, spike-like inflorescence, flowers turned the same direction. Fruit
a round capsule, ± 10 mm long. General: pollinated by long-tongued bees.
KZN, LIM and MP.
Grassland.
Summer–autumn.
IRIDACEAE
Gladiolus ecklonii Lehm.
ecklonii: named after Christian Ecklon (1795–1868), Danish pharmacist

and botanist, one of the early botanical explorers of the Cape.
Common speckled gladiolus, sheathed gladiolus (E)
Fairly short cormous herb, up to 500 mm tall. Leaves in basal fan, short,
lance-shaped, margins thickened. Flowers ± 50 mm long, white, dense-
ly speckled with red or maroon; bracts conspicuous, large, boat-shaped,
somewhat inflated, longer than flowers; flowering stem erect below, inclined
in upper two-thirds. General: flowers close at night and open the following
morning.
Summer.
IRIDACEAE
Gladiolus woodii Baker

Zulu-Natal.
Slender, cormous herb, up to 450 mm tall. Leaves inconspicuous, 2–3,
above one another, the lowermost basal, longest; sheathing for most of their
length, hairy. Flowers small, ± 20 mm wide, short-tubed, lobes unequal,
lower side lobes folded, smaller than central; colour variable, whitish, pale
yellow, pale lilac to deep maroon; in lax, 4–12-flowered inflorescence, in-
clined; inflorescence drooping in bud. General: flowers soon after the first
spring rains. For white-flowered form see p. 76.
Mountain grassland.
Spring–summer.
IRIDACEAE
JUNCACEAE
Juncus dregeanus Kunth
Juncus: Latin name for a rush; dregeanus: named after Johann F. Drège
(1794–1881), German plant collector.
Biesie (A)
Tufted perennial herb, up to 400 mm tall. Rhizome small; roots thin, numer-
ous; stem erect, wiry. Leaves basal, many, grass-like, narrower than 5 mm
at the base, much shorter than the stem. Flowers small, lobes dark brown;
several in a round cluster, ± 8 mm in diameter; usually 5–6 clusters in
branched, terminal inflorescence; bract below inflorescence leaf-like, brown,
often overtopping the inflorescence. General: in
shallow water.
Wet localities.
Summer.
JUNCACEAE
Juncus lomatophyllus Spreng.
lomato-: fringed, -phyllus: -leaved.

Leafy juncus (E)
Fairly robust, tufted perennial herb, up to 600 mm tall. Thin underground
branches ending in densely leafy shoots; roots thin; stem grooved. Leaves
in a rosette, broad, ± 12 mm wide, tip pointed, soft, flat, much shorter
than the stem. Flowers small, lobes dark brown; several in a round cluster,
± 8 mm in diameter; many clusters in much-branched, terminal inflores-
cence; bract below inflorescence leaf-like, short. General: range extends into
Zimbabwe.
Stream banks, permanently wet, mountain
habitats.
Spring–summer.
ORCHIDACEAE
Pterygodium magnum Rchb.f.
pterygodes: wing-like – refers to side petals; magnum: large.

Bonnet orchid (E); moederkappie (A)
Robust herb, up to 1.5 m tall. Rootstock tuberous. Leaves on stem, many,
erect, lance-shaped, largest at the base, grading into bracts. Flowers cream,
densely speckled with red; with a shallow hood, petals and lip fringed; bracts
flexed downwards; 45–100 in dense inflorescence, ± 500 mm long. Gener-
al: often amongst Leucosidea sericea in shrubby areas along streams. Polli-
nated by oil-collecting bees.
Damp grassland, floodplains.
Summer.
JUNCACEAE
ORCHIDACEAE
Pterygodium nigrescens (Sond.) Schltr.
(= Corycium nigrescens)
nigrescens: becoming black – refers to the flowers quickly turning black
after opening.
Black-faced orchid (E); moederkappie (A)
Slender to robust, erect herb, up to 400 mm tall. Leaves several, on stem,
lance-shaped, erect to spreading, overlapping up the stem, grading into
bracts. Flowers rounded, knobbly, ± 5 mm in diameter, purple-brown to
almost black upper hood, side lobes joined for most of their length, lip with
relatively large, shield-like attachment; bracts
with long, slender points; 25–60 in fairly dense,
cylindrical inflorescence.
Grassland.
Summer.
PEDALIACEAE
Harpagophytum zeyheri Decne.
H. zeyheri subsp. zeyheri

harpago: grappling hook, phyton: plant – refers to the hooked thorns on
the fruit; zeyheri: named after Carl L.P. Zeyher (1799–1858), German
botanist who collected in South Africa.
Trailing perennial herb, stems up to 2 m long, several. Taproot succulent, of-
ten forms a thick tuber. Leaves opposite, stalked, broadly egg-shaped, lobed,
blue-green. Flowers ± 50 mm long, funnel-shaped; variable in colour, pale
pink to purple or yellow, tube yellow inside; solitary, in leaf axils. Fruit egg-
shaped, spiny.
GP, LIM, MP and NW.
Often along roadsides, overgrazed places.
Spring–summer.
PLANTAGINACEAE
*Plantago lanceolata L.
Plantago: Latin name for plantain; lanceolata: lance-shaped.

Narrow-leaved ribwort (E); oorpynwortel, smal weegblaar (A)
Perennial herb, up to 600 mm tall. Rhizome thick, short. Leaves basal,
long, narrow to lance-shaped, gradually narrowing into the stalk, ± par-
allel-veined. Flowers small, green or cream, stamens protruding, anthers
whitish; many in several compact, terminal inflorescences per plant, spikes
± 25 mm long, on long, erect stalks. General: root used traditionally to treat
earache. Common weed, indigenous to Europe and Asia.
Disturbed places.
Spring–summer.
ORCHIDACEAE
PLANTAGINACEAE
*Plantago major L.
major: greater.
Broadleaf plantain (E); groot weegblaar, platvoet (A)
Erect, perennial herb, up to 300 mm tall. Rootstock stout. Leaves basal,

elliptic to egg-shaped, stalked, hairy ± parallel-veined, usually drying green-
ish. Flowers small, stamens short; many in several long, slender inflores-
cences per plant, spikes up to 135 mm long. Fruit a capsule, many-seeded.
General: variable in most of its characters. Seeds rich in starch, used like
sago. Widely used in traditional medicine for the treatment of various ail-
ments. Common weed, indigenous to Europe
and Asia.
Moist, disturbed places.
Spring–autumn.
RESTIONACEAE
Restio schoenoides Kunth
(= Ischyrolepis schoenoides)
restis: rope or cord, early settlers used restios as cord; schoenoides: resem-
bles the genus Schoenus in the Cyperaceae family.
Besemriet (A)
Tufted perennial herb, up to 500 mm tall. Rhizome present; stems sparsely
branched. Leaves without blades, sheaths persistent, tightly wrapped around
the stem. Flowers tiny, hidden by dark brown bracts of spikelets, ± 10 mm
long; male and female inflorescences similar, on separate plants. Fruit a cap-
sule, 1- or 2-chambered. General: forms part of
Afromontane fynbos. Seen after fire, low, bushy,
sterile stems grow from the rhizome.
Mountain grassland, stony ground.
Summer–winter.
SCROPHULARIACEAE
Jamesbrittenia accrescens (Hiern) Hilliard

accrescens: enlarged.
Geelblommetjie (A)
Erect or straggling shrub, up to 1 m tall. Stems branched; plants glandu-
lar-hairy throughout. Leaves aromatic, toothed. Flowers with cylindrical
tube, kinked near the top, ± 22 mm long, colour varying from green through
yellow, orange-brown, maroon to dark brown, lobes thick textured, ± round-
ed, with pale margin; calyx 5-lobed, very short; drying black; solitary, on
long stalks, in axils of bracts, clustered towards
tips of branches.
LIM and MP.
Rocky places in scrub.
Spring–summer.
PLANTAGINACEAE
SCROPHULARIACEAE
Manulea parviflora Benth.
M. parviflora var. parviflora

manulea: small hand – refers to the finger-like petals of some species;
Slender, erect perennial herb, up to 750 mm tall. Root tuberous; plant cov-
ered with fine hairs throughout. Leaves mostly in a basal rosette, narrow.
Flowers small, ± 6 mm long, tube very slender; lobes 5, narrow, spreading;
yellow to orange, 1 pair of anthers appearing at the mouth, style included; in
clusters in an unbranched or branched terminal inflorescence.
Spring–autumn.
VITACEAE
Rhoicissus tridentata (L.f.) Wild & R.B.Drumm.
rhoia: pomegranate – an obscure reference, kissos: ivy, small climber with

tendrils; tridentata: 3-toothed.
Bitter grape (E); droog-my-keel (A); morokolo-pudi (S)
Sprawling shrub or climber, stems up to 10 m long. Leaves stalked, with
three leaflets, hairy, margins toothed, alternate, tendrils leaf-opposed. Flow-
ers small, inconspicuous, greenish yellow; in clusters, ± 20 mm in diameter,
opposite leaves or tendrils. Fruit fleshy, round, red to purple when ripe, edi-
ble. General: used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments. Occurs in
a wide variety of habitats.
Scrub and thickets.
Summer–autumn.
SCROPHULARIACEAE
GLOSSARY
A
alternate: placed singly at different levels on stem or axis.
annual: a plant with a life span of one year only.
anther: the part of the stamen which contains the pollen.
aquatic: living in water.
aromatic: strongly smelling.
ascending: rising obliquely or curving upwards from near the base.
awn: a fine bristle usually at the tip of an organ.
axil: the angle between a stem and a leaf or bract.
B
barbed: with rigid points or side bristles pointing backwards.
basal: at the base, near the ground.
beak: a prominent projection at the tip.
berry: a many-seeded fleshy fruit.
biennial: a plant with a life span of two years.
bisexual: having stamens (male part) and a pistil (female part) in the same flower or inflorescence.
blade: the expanded part of a leaf.
bract: much-reduced leaf e.g. at base of flower or flower stalk.
bristle: a stiff, strong hair, similar to a pig’s bristle.
bud: an undeveloped shoot that can give rise to a branch or flower.
bulb: an underground storage organ consisting of a shortened stem and fleshy leaf bases.
bulbil: a small bulb formed around the mother bulb.
bulbous: having bulbs.
burr: a rough or prickly seed or fruit with associated flower parts or bracts.
bushveld: plant community consisting of a grassy ground layer and an upper layer of woody plants.
C
calyx: an outer envelope of a flower, consisting of free or united lobes, usually green.
capsule: a dry fruit produced by an ovary comprising two or more united parts, usually opening by
slits or pores.
catkin: a dense, often pendulous spike of small unisexual flowers which have no conspicuous calyx
or petals.
cf.: abbreviation for confer (Latin for ‘compare’), commonly placed between the genus and the spe-
cies names to indicate a possible identity.
cladode: a flattened, leaf-like stem with the form and function of a leaf, arising in the axil of a minute,
bract-like, true leaf.
clasping: partly or wholly surrounding stems.
club-shaped: gradually thickened from a slender base.
corm: a tuberous bulb-like rootstock.
cormous: possessing a corm.
corona: a crown; in some flowers (e.g. Apocynaceae), a circle of appendages between the petals and
stamens, often united in a ring or crown.
creeper: a plant with stems running along the ground and rooting at intervals.
crested: having a crest, elevated appendage or ridge on the summit of an organ.
D
deciduous: falling off at the end of the season of growth (compare ‘evergreen’).
disc flowers: the central, tubular flowers as compared with the ray flowers in a head of the Asteraceae.
E
egg-shaped: having the outline of an egg, with the narrow end above the middle.
elliptic: in the form of a flattened circle more than twice as long as broad.
endemic: having a natural distribution confined to a particular geographical region.
entire: with an even margin without teeth, lobes, etc.
evergreen: retaining green leaves throughout the year, even during winter.
F
family: a group of one to many genera believed to be related phylogenetically, usually clearly separa-
ble from other such groups; the major taxonomic group between genus and order.
filament: the stalk of a stamen supporting the anther; a thin thread.
flower: the sexual reproductive structure of plants that produce seeds within an ovary, typically con-
sisting of female and male parts, the calyx, petals and the axis bearing these parts.
flower head: a dense inflorescence of small, crowded and often stalkless flowers at the end of a stalk.
foetid: smelling very unpleasant.
forest: a many-layered vegetation type dominated by trees; the combined layers have overlapping crowns.
free: neither adhering nor united.
fynbos: natural shrubland vegetation typical of the Western and Eastern Cape provinces.
G
gall: abnormal growth caused by disease or puncturing by an insect.
genus (pl. genera): a group of species believed to be related phylogenetically and usually clearly sep-
arable from other such groups, or a single species without close relatives; the major taxonomic
rank between species and family.
gland: an organ or cell secreting a substance such as sugary sap, salt or water.
grassland: a vegetation type dominated by a cover of grasses and rich in herbs.
H
habit: general appearance of a plant (e.g. erect or sprawling).
habitat: the environment in which a plant lives.
heart-shaped: leaf base is deeply notched.
herb (adj. herbaceous): any vascular plant that never produces a woody stem.
I
included: not projecting.
inflorescence: arrangement of flowers.
introduced: not indigenous to the area in which it now occurs.
K
keel: a ridge running the length of an organ like the keel of a boat; in Fabaceae flowers a boat-shaped
structure formed by the fusion of the two lower petals.
L
lance-shaped: much longer than broad, broadest in the lower half and tapering toward the tip.
leaf: green outgrowth from the side of a stem, specialised for photosynthesis.
leaflet: one part of a compound (composed of several similar parts) leaf.
lip: (1) one of two divisions of a tubular flower when it is cleft into an upper and a lower portion; (2)
of an orchid: the lowest petal, usually enlarged and different in shape from the two side ones.
lobe: any division or segment (usually rounded) of a leaf, petal or calyx.
M
margin: the edge or boundary line of an organ.
midrib: the principal, usually central vein of a leaf or leaf-like part.
mistbelt: a region in which mist and high humidity are common and have an effect on the vegetation;
mainly at altitudes of 1 100–1 500 m.
N
nectar: sugary liquid produced by flowers or other plant parts on which insects and other animals
feed.
nectar guides: floral orientation cues directing a pollinator to the nectar, usually stripes or spots of a
different colour on the petals.
node: the point on the stem at which a leaf or leaves and accompanying organs arise.
nodule: small swelling on a leaf or a root containing bacteria.
nut: a one-seeded fruit with a hard shell, not splitting open when ripe.
O
ocrea (pl. ocreae): a tubular stipule sheathing the stem (e.g. in Polygonum of the Polygonaceae).
opposite: pertaining to leaves or branches when two are borne at the same node on opposite sides
of the stem.
oval: broadly elliptic.
ovary: lowest portion of the female unit of the flower which, after fertilisation, becomes the fruit.
P
parasite (adj. parasitic): an organism living on or in a different organism and deriving nourishment
from it.
perennial: with a lifespan of several years.
persistent: remaining attached and not falling off.
petal: a single lobe of the inner envelope of the flower, usually coloured and conspicuous.
pod: a dry, many-seeded fruit usually opening along both lines of junction into two halves (e.g. in the
Fabaceae).
pollen: minute spores or grains produced in the anthers of flowering plants.
pollination: transfer of pollen from anther to stigma.
pseudobulb: a solid, above-ground, thickened or bulb-shaped stem, characteristic of some orchids.
R
ray: (1) the florets of the margin of a flowerhead of the Asteraceae when different from those of the
centre or disc; (2) one of the radiating branches of an umbel.
resin (adj. resinous): plant exudate, often sticky, insoluble in water.
rhizome: an elongated rootstock or stem, generally underground and horizontal, producing roots and
shoots; always distinguished from a true root by the presence of buds, leaves or scales.
rootstock: a short swollen structure at the junction of the root and the shoot system of a plant.
rosette: a crowded, circular cluster of leaves or other organs.
runner: a slender stem, trailing to lying on the ground, which produces roots and sometimes erect
shoots at its nodes.
S
sap: the juice of a plant, oozing from broken-off plant organs.
scale: (1) reduced or rudimentary leaf, usually stalkless, thin and dry and seldom green; (2) a kind of
covering in the form of small, flat discs attached by the centre; (3) any thin, usually small and
dry structure.
scrub: plant community dominated by shrubs, often including grasses, herbs and plants with under-
ground storage organs, e.g. bulbs or tubers.
sheath: the lower portion of the leaf clasping the stem.
shoot: an elongating stem.
shrub: a woody, perennial plant with two or more stems arising from or near the ground.
shrublet: a low-growing perennial with stems that are woody mainly towards the base.
silky: having a covering of soft, fine hairs lying close to a surface.
simple: not divided or lobed, not branched.
solitary: occurring singly.
species (abbr. sp.): usually the smallest unit of classification, but sometimes divided into subspecies
or varieties.
spike: an inflorescence with a single unbranched axis bearing stalkless flowers.
spikelet: a small spike composed of one or more flowers enclosed by small bracts, in Cyperaceae and
Poaceae.
spine: a sharp-pointed, hardened structure modified from another organ (leaf, branch, stipule, etc.),
or from part of an organ.
spur: a slender, usually hollow, extension of some part of the flower.
stalk: any support of an organ that has some length.
stamen: the pollen-producing structure in a flower, usually consisting of an anther and a filament.
stem: the main axis of a plant, bearing roots, leaves and/or flowers.
sterile: lacking reproductive organs.
stigma: the point or surface of the female flower unit which receives the pollen.
stipule: leaf-like or scale-like appendage of a leaf, usually at the base of the stalk.
style: narrow upper part of an ovary supporting the stigma.
subspecies (abbr. subsp.): subdivision of species, subspecies are geographically or ecologically iso-
lated from each other.
succulent: a plant which accumulates water in fleshy, water-storing stems, leaves or roots; juicy,
fleshy in texture or appearance.
symbiosis (adj. symbiotic): living together of dissimilar organisms, either to mutual advantage or
without advantage.
T
taproot: the main, descending root of a plant that has a single dominant root axis.
tendril: a long, slender, coiling, modified leaf, or rarely stem, by which a climbing plant attaches to
its support.
terminal: at the tip of the stem and branches.
thorn: a modified plant organ, especially a stem, that is stiffened and ends in a pungent point.
throat (of a tubular flower): the top of the tube, where the lobes arise from the tube.
trailing: lying flat on the ground without rooting.
tube (adj. tubular): the fused lower part of the petals or calyx in some flowers.
tuber (adj. tuberous): (1) a thickened branch of an underground stem, which produces buds; (2) a
swollen root or branch of a root acting as a storage organ.
tuft (adj. tufted): clump, cluster.
U
umbel: an inflorescence in which the flower stalks arise from the top of the main stem and spread out
like the spokes of an umbrella.
unisexual: bearing only male or only female reproductive organs.
V
variable: not constant in appearance.
variety (abbr. var.): subdivision of species below the rank of subspecies, varieties are not geographi-
cally isolated.
vascular: specialised for the conduction of fluids.
vegetative (of plant organs or parts): having non-reproductive functions, e.g. leaves, roots, stems, etc.
veins: strands of vascular tissue.
vine: climbing herbaceous or woody plant with small stem diameter.
W
whorl (adj. whorled): (1) a group of three or more parts at a node, e.g. leaves or branches; (2) a circle
of floral organs, e.g. stamens, petals.
wing (adj. winged): (1) any flat membranous expansion; (2) a thin flange of tissue extended beyond
the normal outline of a stem or stalk; (3) one of the two side petals of a flower in Fabaceae
subfamily Papilionoideae.
woolly: with long, soft, tangled hairs.
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FLORA OF TROPICAL EAST AFRICA, 1952 onwards.
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Websites
http://opus.sanbi.org/handle/20.500.12143/6880 (SA National Plant Checklist)
http://redlist.sanbi.org
http://www.worldfloraonline.org/
http://pza.sanbi.org
http://www.calflora.net/southafrica/
https://plants.jstor.org
http://www.zimbabweflora.co.zw
https://www.mozambiqueflora.com
https://botswanaflora.com
http://eswatininaturereserves.com/flora/index.asp
http://keys.lucidcentral.org/keys/v3/helichrysum
Quick guide
Barleria gueinzii, p. 22 Barleria pretoriensis, p. 22 Crabbea hirsuta, p. 22 Dyschoriste setigera, p. 23
Justicia anagalloides, p. 23 Justicia betonica, p. 23 Thunbergia amoena, p. 24 Thunbergia atriplicifolia, p. 24
Khadia borealis, p. 24 Khadia media, p. 25 Tulbaghia siebertii, p. 25 Cyathula cylindrica, p. 25
Cyathula uncinulata, p. 26 Cyphocarpa angustifolia, p. 26 Apodolirion buchananii, p. 26 Crinum macowanii, p. 27
Chlorophytum bowkeri, p. 27 Chlorophytum cooperi, p. 27 Chlorophytum cyperaceum, p. 28 Chlorophytum fasciculatum, p. 28

Chlorophytum galpinii, p. 28 Chlorophytum krookianum, p. 29 Chlorophytum radula, p. 29 Chlorophytum recurvifolium, p. 29
Alepidea attenuata, p. 30 Alepidea peduncularis, p. 30 Alepidea setifera, p. 30 Pimpinella caffra, p. 31
Asclepias albens, p. 31 Asclepias cucullata, p. 31 Aspidoglossum albocoronatum, p. 32 Ceropegia ampliata, p. 32
Ceropegia circinata, p. 32 Ceropegia meyeri, p. 33 Ceropegia pachypodium, p. 33 Cynanchum viminale, p. 33
Gomphocarpus physocarpus, p. 34 Pachycarpus asperifolius, p. 34 Pachycarpus schinzianus, p. 34 Strophanthus speciosus, p. 35

Xysmalobium acerateoides, p. 35 Xysmalobium confusum, p. 35 Xysmalobium parviflorum, p. 36 Aponogeton stuhlmannii, p. 36
Zantedeschia aethiopica, p. 36 Zantedeschia albomaculata, p. 37 Asparagus aggregatus, p. 37 Asparagus asparagoides, p. 37
Asparagus edulis, p. 38 Asparagus flavicaulis, p. 38 Asparagus laricinus, p. 38 Asparagus virgatus, p. 39
Trachyandra saltii, p. 39 Afroaster comptonii, p. 39 Afroaster nubimontis, p. 40 Afroaster serrulatus, p. 40
Artemisia afra, p. 40 *Bidens pilosa, p. 41 Callilepis leptophylla, p. 41 Callilepis salicifolia, p. 41

Dimorphotheca caulescens, p. 42 Eumorphia davyi, p. 42 Felicia bechuanica, p. 42 Felicia muricata, p. 43
Gazania krebsiana, p. 43 Gerbera ambigua, p. 43 Gerbera natalensis, p. 44 Gerbera piloselloides, p. 44
Gerbera viridifolia, p. 44 Helichrysum caespititium, p. 45 Helichrysum confertifolium, p. 45 Helichrysum junodii, p. 45
Helichrysum oxyphyllum, p. 46 Helichrysum platypterum, p. 46 Helichrysum polycladum, p. 46 Helichrysum rugulosum, p. 47
Helichrysum spiralepis, p. 47 Helichrysum wilmsii, p. 47 Inezia speciosa, p. 48 Lactuca inermis, p. 48

Lopholaena disticha, p. 48 Lopholaena festiva, p. 49 Macledium zeyher, p. 49 Senecio pentactinus, p. 49
Seriphium plumosum, p. 50 Stomatanthes africanus, p. 50 Zoutpansbergia caerulea, p. 50 Cynoglossum lanceolatum, p. 51
Trichodesma physaloides, p. 51 *Nasturtium officinale, p. 51 Craterocapsa tarsodes, p. 52 Wahlenbergia madagascariensis, p. 52
Wahlenbergia magaliesbergensis, p. 52 Wahlenbergia virgata, p. 53 Maerua cafra, p. 53 *Lonicera japonica, p. 53
Dianthus mooiensis, p. 54 Silene undulata, p. 54 Gymnosporia buxifolia, p. 54 Colchicum striatum, p. 55

Convolvulus farinosus, p. 55 Convolvulus natalensis, p. 55 *Cuscuta campestris, p. 56 Ipomoea simplex, p. 56
Crassula acinaciformis, p. 56 Crassula capitella, p. 57 Crassula cymbiformis, p. 57 Crassula dependens, p. 57
Crassula lanceolata, p. 58 Crassula perfoliata, p. 58 Crassula sarcocaulis, p. 58 Crassula setulosa, p. 59
Crassula vaginata, p. 59 Coccinia adoensis, p. 59 Cucumis hirsutus, p. 60 Momordica foetida, p. 60
Zehneria scabra, p. 60 Cyperus obtusiflorus, p. 61 Kyllinga alba, p. 61 Cephalaria pungens, p. 61

Cephalaria zeyheriana, p. 62 Scabiosa columbaria, p. 62 Diospyros lycioides, p. 62 Erica drakensbergensis, p. 63
Erica holtii, p. 63 Erica simii, p. 63 Eriocaulon sonderianum, p. 64 Eriospermum cooperi, p. 64
Eriospermum porphyrium, p. 64 Jatropha zeyheri, p. 65 Eriosema buchananii, p. 65 Lotus discolor, p. 65
Macrotyloma axillare, p. 66 Senegalia ataxacantha, p. 66 Enicostema axillare, p. 66 Exochaenium grande, p. 67
Geranium wakkerstroomianum, p. 67 Monsonia angustifolia, p. 67 Monsonia glauca, p. 68 Pelargonium alchemilloides, p. 68

Pelargonium dolomiticum, p. 68 Pelargonium graveolens, p. 69 Pelargonium luridum, p. 69 Pelargonium multicaule, p. 69
Streptocarpus parviflorus, p. 70 Streptocarpus rimicola, p. 70 Streptocarpus vandeleurii, p. 70 Albuca setosa, p. 71
Albuca virens, p. 71 Drimia calcarata, p. 71 Drimia depressa, p. 72 Drimia multisetosa, p. 72
Drimia sphaerocephala, p. 72 Drimia sp., p. 73 Eucomis pallidiflora, p. 73 Eucomis zambesiaca, p. 73
Ornithogalum capillare, p. 74 Ornithogalum graminifolium, p. 74 Schizocarphus nervosus, p. 74 Dietes iridioides, p. 75

Gladiolus ferrugineus, p. 75 Gladiolus longicollis, p. 75 Gladiolus permeabilis, p. 76 Gladiolus sekukuniensis, p. 76
Gladiolus woodii, p. 76 Moraea marionae, p. 77 Moraea modesta, p. 77 Aeollanthus buchnerianus, p. 77
Aeollanthus parvifolius, p. 78 Mentha longifolia, p. 78 Ocimum obovatum, p. 78 Plectranthus hadiensis, p. 79
Plectranthus rubropunctatus, p. 79 Rabdosiella calycina, p. 79 Rabdosiella leemannii, p. 80 Salvia radula, p. 80
Satureja biflora, p. 80 Stachys nigricans, p. 81 Stachys rehmannii, p. 81 Syncolostemon albiflorus, p. 81

Syncolostemon eriocephalus, p. 82 Syncolostemon rehmannii, p. 82 Teucrium trifidum, p. 82 Utricularia livida, p. 83
*Lilium formosanum, p. 83 Stemodiopsis kamundii, p. 83 Cyphia corylifolia, p. 84 Cyphia elata, p. 84
Cyphia rogersii, p. 84 Lobelia eurypoda, p. 85 Dombeya rotundifolia, p. 85 Hibiscus aethiopicus, p. 85
Hibiscus trionum, p. 86 Sida rhombifolia, p. 86 Sparrmannia ricinocarpa, p. 86 Antherotoma naudinii, p. 87
Cissampelos torulosa, p. 87 Stephania abyssinica, p. 87 Psammotropha mucronata, p. 88 Psammotropha myriantha, p. 88

Bonatea boltonii, p. 88 Brownleea galpinii, p. 89 Brownleea parviflora, p. 89 Disa saxicola, p. 89
Disperis disaeformis, p. 90 Eulophia hians, p. 90 Eulophia ovalis, p. 90 Eulophia parvilabris, p. 91
Eulophia petersii, p. 91 Habenaria clavata, p. 91 Habenaria falcicornis, p. 92 Neobolusia tysonii, p. 92
Orthochilus leontoglossus, p. 92 Satyrium cristatum, p. 93 Satyrium longicauda, p. 93 Satyrium trinerve, p. 93
Schizochilus cecilii, p. 94 Cycnium adonense, p. 94 Striga bilabiata, p. 94 Oxalis obliquifolia, p. 95

Oxalis smithiana, p. 95 Basananthe sandersonii, p. 95 Ceratotheca triloba, p. 96 Muraltia empetroides, p. 96
Polygala albida, p. 96 Polygala hottentotta, p. 97 Oxygonum dregeanum, p. 97 Protea caffra, p. 97
Protea gaguedi, p. 98 Protea welwitschii, p. 98 Anemone transvaalensis, p. 98 Clematis brachiata, p. 99
*Rubus originalis, p. 99 Rubus sp., p. 99 Kohautia amatymbica, p. 100 Oldenlandia herbacea, p. 100
Oldenlandia rupicola, p. 100 Otiophora cupheoidesi, p. 101 Pavetta gardeniifolia, p. 101 Pavetta schumanniana, p. 101
Spermacoce natalensis, p. 102 Thesium goetzeanum, p. 102 Thesium gracilarioides, p. 102 Thesium scirpioides, p. 103
Thesium utile, p. 103 Hebenstretia angolensis, p. 103 Hebenstretia comosa, p. 104 Hebenstretia dura, p. 104
Hebenstretia oatesii, p. 104 Limosella inflata, p. 105 Limosella maior, p. 105 Nemesia zimbabwensis, p. 105
Selago capitellata, p. 106 Selago rehmannii, p. 106 Zaluzianskya microsiphon, p. 106 Solanum retroflexum, p. 107
Walleria nutans, p. 107 Passerina montana, p. 107 Valeriana capensis, p. 108 Xerophyta schlechteri, p. 108
Chascanum hederaceum, p. 108 Lippia javanica, p. 109 Viola abyssinica, p. 109

Cyrtanthus breviflorus, p. 111 Cyrtanthus stenanthus, p. 111 Afrosciadium caffrum, p. 111 Annesorhiza wilmsii, p. 112
Berula repanda, p. 112 Bupleurum mundii, p. 112 Lefebvrea grantii, p. 113 Asclepias aurea, p. 113
Pentarrhinum insipidum, p. 113 Stapelia gigantea, p. 114 Zantedeschia jucunda, p. 114 Bulbine angustifolia, p. 114
Bulbine capitata, p. 115 Bulbine latifolia, p. 115 Anisopappus junodii, p. 115 Arrowsmithia tenuifolia, p. 116
Berkheya carlinopsis, p. 116 Berkheya densifolia, p. 116 Berkheya echinacea, p. 117 Berkheya insignis, p. 117
Berkheya radyeri, p. 117 Berkheya setifera, p. 118 Berkheya zeyheri, p. 118 Bidens kirkii, p. 118
Cineraria cyanomontana, p. 119 Cineraria deltoidea, p. 119 Cineraria erodioides, p. 119 Euryops pedunculatus, p. 120
Euryops transvaalensis, p. 120 Gazania krebsiana, p. 120 Geigeria burkei, p. 121 Gerbera ambigua, p. 121
Gerbera galpinii, p. 121 Gerbera piloselloides, p. 122 Haplocarpha scaposa, p. 122 Helichrysum acutatum, p. 122
Helichrysum albilanatum, p. 123 Helichrysum aureum, p. 123 Helichrysum cephaloideum, p. 123 Helichrysum chionosphaerum, p. 124
Helichrysum chrysargyrum, p. 124 Helichrysum epapposum, p. 124 Helichrysum galpinii, p. 125 Helichrysum harveyanum, p. 125
Helichrysum herbaceum, p. 125 Helichrysum lepidissimum, p. 126 Helichrysum mutabile, p. 126 Helichrysum obductum, p. 126
Helichrysum odoratissimum, p. 127 Helichrysum oreophilum, p. 127 Helichrysum pallidum, p. 127 Helichrysum pilosellum, p. 128
Helichrysum rudolfii, p. 128 Helichrysum setosum, p. 128 Helichrysum splendidum, p. 129 Helichrysum truncatum, p. 129
Helichrysum umbraculigerum, p. 129 Helichrysum uninervium, p. 130 Inula glomerata, p. 130 Inula paniculata, p. 130
Inulanthera calva, p. 131 Metalasia densa, p. 131 Nidorella auriculata, p. 131 Nidorella pinnata, p. 132
Nidorella undulata, p. 132 Osteospermum auriculatum, p. 132 Osteospermum moniliferum, p. 133 Othonna natalensis, p. 133
Phymaspermum argenteum, p. 133 Phymaspermum athanasioides, p. 134 Schistostephium crataegifolium, p. 134 Senecio conrathii, p. 134
Senecio coronatus, p. 135 Senecio hederiformis, p. 135 Senecio helminthioides, p. 135 Senecio inornatus, p. 136
Senecio isatidioides, p. 136 Senecio junodii, p. 136 Senecio oxyriifolius, p. 137 Senecio panduriformis, p. 137
Senecio ruwenzoriensis, p. 137 Senecio tamoides, p. 138 Senecio venosus, p. 138 Sonchus wilmsii, p. 138
*Tagetes minuta, p. 139 Tolpis capensis, p. 139 Ursinia nana, p. 139 Gloriosa superba, p. 140
Commelina africana, p. 140 Ipomoea obscura, p. 140 Xenostegia tridentata, p. 141 Kalanchoe luciae, p. 141
Kalanchoe cf. winteri, p. 141 Cucumis zeyheri, p. 142 Peponium caledonicum, p. 142 Cyperus obtusiflorus, p. 142
Eriospermum flagelliforme, p. 143 Eriospermum porphyrovalve, p. 143 Euphorbia clavarioides, p. 143 Argyrolobium harveyanum, p. 144
Argyrolobium tomentosum, p. 144 Argyrolobium transvaalense, p. 144 Argyrolobium tuberosum, p. 145 Argyrolobium wilmsii, p. 145
Chamaecrista capensis, p. 145 Chamaecrista comosa, p. 146 Eriosema cordatum, p. 146 Eriosema ellipticifolium, p. 146
Eriosema nutans, p. 147 Leobordea corymbosa, p. 147 Leobordea eriantha, p. 147 Leobordea lanceolata, p. 148
Leobordea pariflora, p. 148 Pearsonia aristata, p. 148 Pearsonia cajanifolia, p. 149 Pearsonia obovata, p. 149
Pearsonia sessilifolia, p. 149 Rhynchosia monophylla, p. 150 Rhynchosia nervosa, p. 150 Rhynchosia totta, p. 150
Rhynchosia woodii, p. 151 *Senna septemtrionalis, p. 151 Smithia erubescens, p. 151 Tylosema fassoglense, p. 152
Zornia capensis, p. 152 Sebaea bojeri, p. 152 Sebaea cf. erosa, p. 153 Sebaea rehmannii, p. 153
Sebaea sedoides, p. 153 Hypericum aethiopicum, p. 154 Hypericum lalandii, p. 154 Hypericum revolutum, p. 154
Empodium elongatum, p. 155 Hypoxis angustifolia, p. 155 Hypoxis filiformis, p. 155 Hypoxis galpinii, p. 156
Hypoxis hemerocallidea, p. 156 Hypoxis iridifolia, p. 156 Hypoxis multiceps, p. 157 Hypoxis rigidula, p. 157
Gladiolus dalenii, p. 157 Moraea moggii, p. 158 Moraea muddii, p. 158 Utricularia prehensilis, p. 158
Linum thunbergii, p. 159 Sphedamnocarpus pruriens, p. 159 Hermannia burkei, p. 159 Hermannia lancifolia, p. 160
Hermannia waterbergensis, p. 160 Hibiscus lunariifolius, p. 160 Melhania prostrata, p. 161 Triumfetta pilosa, p. 161
Triumfetta welwitschii, p. 161 *Oenothera cf. glazioviana, p. 162 Eulophia angolensis, p. 162 Eulophia inaequalis, p. 162
Eulophia parviflora, p. 163 Eulophia streptopetala, p. 163 Orthochilus ensatus, p. 163 Schizochilus zeyheri, p. 164
Alectra capensis, p. 164 Alectra sessiliflora, p. 164 Melasma scabrum, p. 165 Striga elegans, p. 165
*Oxalis corniculata, p. 165 Adenia digitata, p. 166 Ranunculus multifidus, p. 166 *Agrimonia procera, p. 166
Fadogia homblei, p. 167 Gnidia nodiflora, p. 167 Lasiosiphon caffer, p. 167 Lasiosiphon canoargenteus, p. 168
Lasiosiphon kraussianus, p. 168 Lasiosiphon microcephalus, p. 168 Lasiosiphon polyanthus, p. 169 Xyris congensis, p. 169
Crossandra greenstockii, p. 171 Tulbaghia acutiloba, p. 171 Tulbaghia leucantha, p. 171 Tulbaghia simmleri, p. 172
Tulbaghia transvaalensis, p. 172 Boophone disticha, p. 172 Brunsvigia natalensis, p. 173 Clivia caulescens, p. 173
Cyrtanthus contractus, p. 173 Cyrtanthus junodii, p. 174 Scadoxus multiflorus, p. 174 Scadoxus puniceus, p. 174
Anacampseros subnuda, p. 175 Lannea edulis, p. 175 Searsia transvaalensis, p. 175 Searsia tumulicola, p. 176
Ancylobothrys capensis, p. 176 Aspidoglossum glabrescens, p. 176 Aspidoglossum glanduliferum, p. 177 Huernia zebrina, p. 177
Aloe aculeata, p. 177 Aloe arborescens, p. 178 Aloe boylei, p. 178 Aloe chortolirioides, p. 178
Aloe hahnii, p. 179 Aloe lettyae, p. 179 Aloe longibracteata, p. 179 Aloe soutpansbergensis, p. 180
Aloe cf. spicata, p. 180 Aloe subspicata, p. 180 Aloe thompsoniae, p. 181 Aloe verecunda, p. 181
Kniphofia coralligemma, p. 181 Kniphofia multiflora, p. 182 Kniphofia splendida, p. 182 *Campuloclinium macrocephalum, p. 182
*Cosmos bipinnatus, p. 183 Crassocephalum crepidioides, p. 183 Dicoma anomala, p. 183 Dimorphotheca jucunda, p. 184
Helichrysum adenocarpum, p. 184 Helichrysum appendiculatum, p. 184 Helichrysum candolleanum, p. 185 Senecio speciosus, p. 185
Tenrhynea phylicifolia, p. 185 *Zinnia peruviana, p. 186 Begonia sonderiana, p. 186 Silene burchellii, p. 186
Gloriosa modesta, p. 187 Cotyledon barbeyi, p. 187 Cotyledon orbiculata, p. 187 Crassula alba, p. 188
Kalanchoe crundallii, p. 188 Kalanchoe rotundifolia, p. 188 Coccinia adoensis, p. 189 Erica alticola, p. 189
Erica cerinthoides, p. 189 Erica woodii, p. 190 Acalypha angustata, p. 190 Acalypha depressinerva, p. 190
Acalypha peduncularis, p. 191 Acalypha wilmsii, p. 191 Aeschynomene nyassana, p. 191 Aeschynomene rehmannii, p. 192
Eriosema salignum, p. 192 Indigastrum costatum, p. 192 Indigastrum fastigiatum, p. 193 Indigofera comosa, p. 193
Indigofera frondosa, p. 193 Indigofera hedyantha, p. 194 Indigofera hilaris, p. 194 Indigofera melanadenia, p. 194
Indigofera oxalidea, p. 195 Indigofera reducta, p. 195 Indigofera rehmannii, p. 195 Indigofera rostrata, p. 196
Indigofera sanguinea, p. 196 Pseudarthria hookeri, p. 196 Rhynchosia monophylla, p. 197 Tephrosia elongata, p. 197
Trifolium africanum, p. 197 Pelargonium luridum, p. 198 Streptocarpus dunnii, p. 198 Crocosmia aurea, p. 198
Crocosmia paniculata, p. 199 Dierama gracile, p. 199 Freesia grandiflora, p. 199 Freesia laxa, p. 200
Gladiolus crassifolius, p. 200 Gladiolus dalenii, p. 200 Gladiolus vernus, p. 201 Hesperantha baurii, p. 201
Hesperantha brevicaulis, p. 201 Hesperantha coccinea, p. 202 Tritonia nelsonii, p. 202 Watsonia transvaalensis, p. 202
Leonotis intermedia, p. 203 Ocimum tubiforme, p. 203 Craterostigma wilmsii, p. 203 Hermannia cristata, p. 204
Hermannia denudata, p. 204 Hermannia depressa, p. 204 Pavonia columella, p. 205 Dissotis canescens, p. 205
Myrothamnus flabellifolius, p. 205 Disa aristata, p. 206 Disa extinctoria, p. 206 Disa fragrans, p. 206
Disa patula, p. 207 Disa polygonoides, p. 207 Disa versicolor, p. 207 Satyrium longicauda, p. 208
Satyrium neglectum, p. 208 Cycnium racemosum, p. 208 Striga elegans, p. 209 *Oxalis latifolia, p. 209
Papaver aculeatum, p. 209 Adenia digitata, p. 210 Sesamum triphyllum, p. 210 Phyllanthus parvulus, p. 210
Oxygonum sinuatum, p. 211 Persicaria madagascariensis, p. 211 *Rumex acetosella, p. 211 Rumex sagittatus, p. 212
Faurea rochetiana, p. 212 Protea caffra, p. 212 Protea roupelliae, p. 213 Protea rubropilosa, p. 213
Protea simplex, p. 213 Clematis villosa, p. 214 *Cotoneaster sp., p. 214 Jamesbrittenia aurantiaca, p. 214
Nemesia fruticans, p. 215 Phygelius aequalis, p. 215 Tricliceras longepedunculatum, p. 215 *Lantana camara, p. 216
Cyphostemma oleraceum, p. 216 Cyphostemma woodii, p. 216

Ruellia cordata, p. 218 Thunbergia natalensis, p. 218 Agapanthus coddii, p. 218 Agapanthus inapertus, p. 219
Raphionacme hirsuta, p. 219 Athrixia elata, p. 219 Athrixia phylicoides, p. 220 Felicia rosulata, p. 220
Gymnanthemum corymbosum, p. 220 Gymnanthemum myrianthum, p. 221 Hilliardiella aristata, p. 221 Hilliardiella elaeagnoides, p. 221
Hilliardiella hirsuta, p. 222 Hilliardiella sutherlandii, p. 222 Litogyne gariepina, p. 222 Oocephala staehelinoides, p. 223
Pseudopegolettia tenella, p. 223 Senecio gerrardii, p. 223 Cynoglossum hispidum, p. 224 Heliophila rigidiuscula, p. 224
Wahlenbergia banksiana, p. 224 Wahlenbergia brachiata, p. 225 Wahlenbergia huttonii, p. 225 Wahlenbergia lycopodioides, p. 225
Wahlenbergia squamifolia, p. 226 Wahlenbergia undulata, p. 226 Wahlenbergia virgata, p. 226 Dianthus zeyheri, p. 227
Cleome maculata, p. 227 Cleome monophylla, p. 227 Commelina eckloniana, p. 228 Cyanotis lapidosa, p. 228
Cyanotis speciosa, p. 228 Murdannia simplex, p. 229 Ipomoea crassipes, p. 229 Ipomoea oblongata, p. 229
Drosera dielsiana, p. 230 Desmodium setigerum, p. 230 Kotschya parvifolia, p. 230 Lablab purpureus, p. 231
Otholobium wilmsii, p. 231 Psoralea glabra, p. 231 Psoralea latifolia, p. 232 Tephrosia capensis, p. 232
Tephrosia shiluwanensis, p. 232 Vigna schlechteri, p. 233 Vigna vexillata, p. 233 Chironia krebsii, p. 233
Chironia purpurascens, p. 234 Monsonia lanuginosa, p. 234 Streptocarpus caeruleus, p. 234 Streptocarpus cyaneus, p. 235
Streptocarpus galpinii, p. 235 Streptocarpus longiflorus, p. 235 Drimia elata, p. 236 Ledebouria asperifolia, p. 236
Ledebouria caesiomontana, p. 236 Ledebouria cooperi, p. 237 Ledebouria cf. sandersonii, p. 237 Merwilla plumbea, p. 237
Aristea abyssinica, p. 238 Aristea torulosa, p. 238 Babiana bainesii, p. 238 Dierama adelphicum, p. 239
Gladiolus papilio, p. 239 Moraea natalensis, p. 239 Moraea stricta, p. 240 Mentha aquatica, p. 240
Plectranthus hereroensis, p. 240 Plectranthus mutabilis, p. 241 Plectranthus neochilus, p. 241 Pycnostachys reticulata, p. 241
Rotheca hirsuta, p. 242 Salvia cf. disermas, p. 242 Salvia dolomitica, p. 242 Stachys grandifolia, p. 243
Thorncroftia succulenta, p. 243 Genlisea hispidula, p. 243 Cyphia rogersii, p. 244 Cyphia transvaalensis, p. 244
Lobelia aquaemontis, p. 244 Lobelia flaccida, p. 245 Lobelia goetzei, p. 245 Lobelia lobata, p. 245
Lobelia vanreenensis, p. 246 Monopsis decipiens, p. 246 Monopsis stellarioides, p. 246 Dissotis princeps, p. 247
Brachycorythis ovata, p. 247 Brachycorythis pubescens, p. 247 Disa baurii, p. 248 Eulophia livingstoneana, p. 248
Buchnera sp., p. 248 Sopubia cana, p. 249 Dicerocaryum senecioides, p. 249 *Phytolacca octandra, p. 249
Polygala gerrardii, p. 250 Polygala gracilenta, p. 250 Polygala houtboshiana, p. 250 Polygala producta, p. 251
Polygala transvaalensis, p. 251 Polygala uncinata, p. 251 Polygala virgata, p. 252 Conostomium natalense, p. 252
Otiophora calycophylla, p. 252 Pentanisia angustifolia, p. 253 Pentanisia prunelloides, p. 253 Aptosimum lineare, p. 253
Buddleja salviifolia, p. 254 Chaenostoma floribundum, p. 254 Chaenostoma leve, p. 254 Jamesbrittenia macrantha, p. 255
Selago atherstonei, p. 255 Selago procera, p. 255 Teedia lucida, p. 256 Tetraselago nelsonii, p. 256
Tetraselago wilmsii, p. 256 Solanum campylacanthum, p. 257 *Solanum mauritianum, p. 257 Solanum rubetorum, p. 257
Xerophyta purpurascens, p. 258 Lantana cf. rugosa, p. 258 *Verbena bonariensis, p. 258 Rhoicissus tomentosa, p. 259
Searsia discolor, p. 261 Searsia gracillima, p. 261 Searsia pondoensis, p. 261 Asclepias cultriformis, p. 262
Aspidoglossum ovalifolium, p. 262 Gomphocarpus physocarpus, p. 262 Raphionacme galpinii, p. 263 Raphionacme procumbens, p. 263
Schizoglossum bidens, p. 263 Schizoglossum cordifolium, p. 264 Sisyranthus imberbis, p. 264 *Acanthospermum australe, p. 264
Laggera crispata, p. 265 Cucumis hirsutus, p. 265 Carex sp., p. 265 Euphorbia pulvinata, p. 266
Euphorbia striata, p. 266 Tragia okanyua, p. 266 Albuca abyssinica, p. 267 Dipcadi marlothii, p. 267
Eucomis autumnalis, p. 267 Ledebouria inquinata, p. 268 Ledebouria zebrina, p. 268 Habenaria filicornis, p. 268
Habenaria galpinii, p. 269 Orthochilus foliosus, p. 269 Satyrium parviflorum, p. 269 Clutia affinis, p. 270
Clutia monticola, p. 270 Clutia pulchella, p. 270 Phyllanthus incurvus, p. 271 Phyllanthus nummulariifolius, p. 271
Anthospermum herbaceum, p. 271 Anthospermum hispidulum, p. 272 Anthospermum welwitschii, p. 272 Bridsonia chamaedendrum, p. 272
Galopina aspera, p. 273 Smilax anceps, p. 273

Anisotoma pedunculata, p. 275 Asclepias fulva, p. 275 Ceropegia barberae, p. 275 Ceropegia carnosa, p. 276
Ceropegia coddii, p. 276 Ceropegia gerrardii, p. 276 Ceropegia oiantha, p. 277 Orbea melanantha, p. 277
Pachycarpus cf. appendiculatus, p. 277 Pachycarpus campanulatus, p. 278 Pachycarpus concolor, p. 278 Riocreuxia picta, p. 278
Vincetoxicum coddii, p. 279 Senecio erubescens, p. 279 Crassula swaziensis, p. 279 Bulbostylis contexta, p. 280
Bulbostylis oritrephes, p. 280 Coleochloa setifera, p. 280 Costularia natalensis, p. 281 Cyperus glaucophyllus, p. 281
Cyperus keniensis, p. 281 Cyperus rupestris, p. 282 Cyperus schlechteri, p. 282 Cyperus solidus, p. 282
Kyllinga melanosperma, p. 283 Pycreus oakfortensis, p. 283 Schoenoplectus corymbosus, p. 283 Scleria bulbifera, p. 284
Indigofera arrecta, p. 284 Indigofera homblei, p. 284 Neonotonia wightii, p. 285 Gunnera perpensa, p. 285
Dipcadi viride, p. 285 Gladiolus densiflorus, p. 286 Gladiolus ecklonii, p. 286 Gladiolus woodii, p. 286
Juncus dregeanus, p. 287 Juncus lomatophyllus, p. 287 Pterygodium magnum, p. 287 Pterygodium nigrescens, p. 288
Harpagophytum zeyheri, p. 288 *Plantago lanceolata, p. 288 *Plantago major, p. 289 Restio schoenoides, p. 289
Jamesbrittenia accrescens, p. 289 Manulea parviflora, p. 290 Rhoicissus tridentata, p. 290

INDEX
Current scientific names = italic, black
Old names (synonyms) = italic, grey
Common names in Afrikaans, English, Lobedu, Sepedi and Tshivenda = roman
Family names = UPPER CASE
Asterisk (*) indicates an introduced species
akkermonie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
A Albuca abyssinica. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
aambeibos. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221 Albuca pachychlamys. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
aambeibossie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82, 194 Albuca setosa. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
aandblom. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75 Albuca virens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
aandblommetjie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172 Alectra capensis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Acacia ataxacantha. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 Alectra sessiliflora . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Acalypha angustata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190 Alepidea attenuata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Acalypha depressinerva. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190 Alepidea peduncularis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Acalypha peduncularis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191 Alepidea setifera . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Acalypha schinzii. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190 ALLIACEAE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8, 25, 171, 172
Acalypha wilmsii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191 Aloe aculeata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
ACANTHACEAE . . . . . . . . . . . 8, 22–24, 171, 218 Aloe arborescens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
*Acanthospermum australe. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264 Aloe boylei. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
acanthus family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Aloe chortolirioides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Adenia digitata. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166, 210 Aloe ecklonis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Aeollanthus buchnerianus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 aloe family. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Aeollanthus parvifolius. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78 Aloe greatheadii. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Aeschynomene nyassana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191 Aloe hahnii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Aeschynomene rehmannii. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192 Aloe lettyae. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
African bluebell. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226 Aloe longibracteata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
African carnation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227 Aloe soutpansbergensis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
African clover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197 Aloe spicata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
African foxglove . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96 Aloe subspicata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
African gladiolus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157, 200 Aloe thompsoniae . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
African heartvine. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113 Aloe verecunda. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
African indigo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284 alsbos. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
African milkweed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277 amaranth family. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
African potato. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156 AMARANTHACEAE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8, 25, 26
African violet family. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 AMARYLLIDACEAE . . . . 8, 26, 27, 111, 172–174
African wormwood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 amaryllis family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Afroaster comptonii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 American bramble. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Afroaster nubimontis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Amerikaanse braambos. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Afroaster serrulatus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Anacampseros subnuda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Afrosciadium caffrum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111 ANACAMPSEROTACEAE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8, 175
AGAPANTHACEAE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8, 218 ANACARDIACEAE . . . . . . . . . . . 9, 175, 176, 261
Agapanthus coddii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218 Ancylobotrys capensis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
agapanthus family. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Androcymbium striatum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Agapanthus inapertus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219 Anemone transvaalensis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
AGAVACEAE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 angel’s fishing rod . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
*Agrimonia procera. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166 Anisopappus junodii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
agrimony. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166 Anisotoma pedunculata. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
AIZOACEAE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8, 24, 25, Annesorhiza wilmsii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Anomatheca grandiflora . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199 Aster nubimontis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Anomatheca laxa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200 ASTERACEAE . . . 10, 39–50, 115–139, 182–186,
ANTHERICACEAE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6, 9, 27–29 219–223, 264, 265, 279
Anthericum cooperi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 astral pachycarpus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Anthericum fasciculatum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Athrixia elata. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Anthericum longistylum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Athrixia phylicoides. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Antherotoma naudinii. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 autumn star. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Anthospermum herbaceum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Anthospermum hispidulum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272 B
Anthospermum welwitschii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272 Babiana bainesii. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
APIACEAE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9, 30, 31, 111–113 Babiana hypogea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
APOCYNACEAE . . . . . . 9, 31– 36, 113, 114, 176, balbossie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34, 262
177, 219, 262–264, 275–279 balloon cottonbush. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34, 262
Apodolirion buchananii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 bankrotbos. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Aponogeton stuhlmannii. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 bankrupt bush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
APONOGETONACEAE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9, 36 Barbados cherry family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
apple-blossom orchid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207 Barber’s brachystelma. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Aptosimum lineare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253 Barleria gueinzii. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
ARACEAE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9, 36, 37, 114 Barleria pretoriensis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Argyrolobium harveyanum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144 Basananthe sandersonii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Argyrolobium tomentosum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144 Baur’s hesperantha . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Argyrolobium transvaalense. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144 bearded-leaved brooms and brushes . . . . . . . . 190
Argyrolobium tuberosum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145 beautiful senecio. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Argyrolobium wilmsii. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145 Becium obovatum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Aristea abyssinica. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238 beeplant family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Aristea torulosa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238 beesbossie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Aristea woodii. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238 beestongblaar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
arrowleaf sida. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86 begonia family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
arrow-leaved arum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Begonia sonderiana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Arrowsmithia tenuifolia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116 BEGONIACEAE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10, 186
arsenic bush. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151 bell flower family. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Artemisia afra . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 bergbietou. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
arum lily family. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 bergbitterbossie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Asclepias albens. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 bergboegoe. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Asclepias aurea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113 bergdisseldoring. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Asclepias cucullata. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 berggonna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Asclepias cultriformis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262 berginkplant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Asclepias dregeana. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275 bergkapokbos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Asclepias fulva . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275 bergkatbos. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
ASPARAGACEAE. . . . . . . . . . . . . 6, 9, 37–39, 114 bergkruie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Asparagus aggregatus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 bergslangkop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Asparagus asparagoides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Berkheya carlinopsis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Asparagus edulis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Berkheya densifolia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
asparagus family. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Berkheya echinacea. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Asparagus flavicaulis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Berkheya insignis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Asparagus laricinus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Berkheya radyeri. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Asparagus virgatus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Berkheya setifera. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
ASPHODELACEAE . . . 10, 39, 114, 115, 177–182 Berkheya zeyheri . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Aspidoglossum albocoronatum . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Berula repanda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Aspidoglossum glabrescens. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176 besembossie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103, 138, 168
Aspidoglossum glanduliferum . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177 besemriet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
Aspidoglossum ovalifolium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262 bicoloured-leaved vernonia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Aster comptonii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Bidens kirkii. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Aster harveyanus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 *Bidens pilosa. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
bidzilomi. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144 bogošola . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

biesie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287 bokgatha. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
bietou. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42, 122, 133 bolepu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
bird’s brandy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258 Bonatea boltonii. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
bird-cage brachystelma. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 bonavist bean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
bitter grape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290 bonnet orchid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
bitterbos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Boophone disticha . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
bitterwortel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 borage family. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
bjangmphara . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140 BORAGINACEAE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10, 51, 224
blaaskruid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83, 158 bosdissel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
black-bud indigo. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194 bosdruif . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
black-faced orchid. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288 boslelie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
blackjack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 bosluisbessie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133, 167
blackstick lily family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 bosui. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
black-stick lily . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258 bosveld slymlelie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
bladderweed. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86 bosviooltjie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
bladderwort family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 botterblom. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120, 121, 166
bladderwort. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83 boyetse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
bloedrooi-indigofera. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196 braam. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
blood-red indigofera . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196 Brachycorythis ovata. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
blou-aarbossie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106 Brachycorythis pubescens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
bloubekkie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224 Brachystelma barberae. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Blouberg African hyacinth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236 Brachystelma circinatum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Bloubietou. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184 Brachystelma coddii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
Bloubittertee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221 Brachystelma gerrardii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
bloublommetjie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Brachystelma oianthum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
blougifbossie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222 Brachystelma pachypodium. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
bloukappie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252 bramble . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
bloulelie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219 brandblare. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
bloumoederkappie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248 brandlelie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
bloupoeierkwassie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228 brandui. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
blouslangkop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237 BRASSICACEAE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10, 51, 224
blousuurkanol. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238 breëblaarboekenhout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
bloutee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223 breëblaarfonteinbos. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
bloutulp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240 breëblaarklimop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
blouvleibossie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136 Bridsonia chamaedendrum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
blouwaterbossie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258 bristle-bush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
blue daisy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220 bristly snakeroot. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
blue soldier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241 broadleaf plantain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
blue squill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237 broad-leaved beech . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
blue thunbergia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218 broad-leaved fountain-bush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
blue-eyed grass. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238 broad-leaved grass aloe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Blumea alata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265 bronkors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
blushing Barberton daisy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 broom asparagus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
blushing bride orchid. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93, 208 brooms and brushes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
bobbejaandruif. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249 brown bonnets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
bobbejaangif. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166, 210 Brownleea galpinii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
bobbejaanstert. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258 Brownleea parviflora . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
bobbejaanuintjie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238 Brunsvigia natalensis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
boesmanspypblom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Buchnera sp.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
bogopa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99, 160 Buddleja salviifolia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
bogošola bja bana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193 buffalo-tongue berkheya. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
bogošola bjo bogolo. . . . . . . . . . . . 147, 168, 190 bug weed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
bogošola bjo bonyane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131 Bulbine angustifolia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Bulbine capitata. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115 Ceropegia barberae. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275

Bulbine latifolia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115 Ceropegia carnosa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
Bulbostylis contexta. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280 Ceropegia circinata. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Bulbostylis oritrephes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280 Ceropegia coddii. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
Bupleurum mundii. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112 Ceropegia gerrardii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
burweed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Ceropegia meyeri. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
bush cherry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Ceropegia oiantha. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
bush tea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220 Ceropegia pachypodium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
bush tickberry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133 Ceropegia racemosa. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
bush violet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Chaenostoma floribundum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
bushveld carpet flower. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253 Chaenostoma leve. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
bushveld crossandra. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171 Chaetacanthus setiger. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
bushveld slime lily. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267 Chamaecrista capensis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
buttercup family. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Chamaecrista comosa. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
butterfly bush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242 chameleon spurflower. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
butterfly gladiolus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239 Chascanum hederaceum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
butterfly lobelia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246 chincherinchee family. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
button-heads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275 Chironia krebsii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Chironia purpurascens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
C Chlorophytum bowkeri. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Chlorophytum cooperi. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
cabbage family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Chlorophytum cyperaceum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Callilepis leptophylla. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Chlorophytum fasciculatum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Callilepis salicifolia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Chlorophytum galpinii. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
CAMPANULACEAE. . . . . . . . 10, 52, 53, 224–226 Chlorophytum krookianum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
*Campuloclinium macrocephalum . . . . . . . . . 182 Chlorophytum radula. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
canary creeper. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138 Chlorophytum recurvifolium. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
canary nettle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159 chocolate bells. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
candelabra flower. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173 Chortolirion subspicatum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Cape clover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197 christmas bells . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Cape gold. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129 Chrysanthemoides monilifera. . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Cape pondweed family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Cineraria cyanomontana. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Cape reed family. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Cineraria deltoidea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Cape saffron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214 Cineraria erodioides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Cape smilax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Cineraria hederifolia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Cape valerian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108 Cissampelos torulosa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
caper family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Cissus oleraceus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
CAPPARACEAE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10, 53 Clematis brachiate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
CAPRIFOLIACEAE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11, 53 Clematis villosa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Carex sp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265 Clematopsis scabiosifolia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
carnation family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 CLEOMACEAE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11, 227
carpet bell flower . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Cleome maculata. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
carpet weed family. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Cleome monophylla . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
carrot family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Clerodendrum triphyllum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
cartwheels. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 climbing African hemp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
CARYOPHYLLACEAE. . . . . . . . . 11, 54, 186, 227 climbing lily. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
cat’s whiskers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78 climbing sorrel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
caterpillar bean. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152 Clivia caulescens. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
caustic vine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 cluster-head sugarbush. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
CELASTRACEAE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11, 54 cluster-leaved asparagus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Cephalaria pungens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Clutia affinis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Cephalaria zeyheriana. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 clutia family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Ceratotheca triloba . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96 Clutia monticola. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Ceropegia ampliata. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Clutia pulchella. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Coccinia adoensis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59, 189 crested doll’s rose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204

COLCHICACEAE. . . . . . . . . . . . . 11, 55, 140, 187 crimson flag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
colchicum family. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 crimson streptocarpus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Colchicum striatum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Crinum macowanii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Coleochloa setifera . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280 Crocosmia aurea. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Commelina africana. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140 Crocosmia paniculata. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Commelina eckloniana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228 Crossandra greenstockii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
COMMELINACEAE . . . . . . . . . . 11, 140, 228, 229 cucumber family. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
common chincherinchee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 Cucumis hirsutus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60, 265
common dodder. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Cucumis zeyheri. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
common grass aristea. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238 CUCURBITACEAE . . . . 12, 59, 60, 142, 189, 265
common kalanchoe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188 curry bush. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
common lantana. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216 *Cuscuta campestris. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
common speckled gladiolus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286 cyanella family. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
common spiderweb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275 Cyanotis lapidosa. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
common split-tongue. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264 Cyanotis speciosa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Conostomium natalense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252 Cyathula cylindrica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
CONVOLVULACEAE . . . 11, 55, 56, 140, 141, 229 Cyathula uncinulata. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Convolvulus farinosus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Cycnium adonense. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Convolvulus natalensis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Cycnium racemosum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Conyza pinnata. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132 Cynanchum viminale. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Cooper’s African hyacinth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237 Cynoglossum hispidum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Cooper’s anthericum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Cynoglossum lanceolatum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Cooper’s squill. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237 CYPERACEAE. . . . . . 12, 61, 142, 265, 280–284
copper leaf. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190 Cyperus glaucophyllus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281
coral plant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 Cyperus keniensis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281
Corycium nigrescens. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288 Cyperus obtusiflorus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61, 142
*Cosmos bipinnatus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183 Cyperus pseudoleptocladus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281
Costularia natalensis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281 Cyperus rupestris. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282
*Cotoneaster sp.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214 Cyperus schlechteri . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282
cotoneaster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214 Cyperus solidus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282
Cotyledon barbeyi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187 Cyperus sphaerocephalus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Cotyledon orbiculata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187 Cyphia corylifolia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Crabbea hirsuta. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Cyphia elata. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
crane’s bill. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 Cyphia rogersii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84, 244
Crassocephalum crepidioides. . . . . . . . . . . . . 183 Cyphia transvaalensis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Crassula acinaciformis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Cyphocarpa angustifolia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Crassula alba . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188 Cyphostemma oleraceum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Crassula capitella . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Cyphostemma woodii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Crassula cymbiformis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Cyrtanthus breviflorus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Crassula dependens. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Cyrtanthus contractus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Crassula lanceolata. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Cyrtanthus junodii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Crassula perfoliata. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Cyrtanthus stenanthus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Crassula sarcocaulis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Cythna’s aloe. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Crassula setulosa. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Crassula swaziensis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279
Crassula vaginata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
D
CRASSULACEAE. . . . . . . . . . . . . 11, 56–59, 141, dainty green bells. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
187, 188, 279 daisy family. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Craterocapsa tarsodes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 daisy-tea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Craterostigma wilmsii. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203 damba. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
creeping bauhinia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152 davidjies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
creeping raphio. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263 dawidjies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
creeping sorrel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165 dayflower family. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
delelemukhwayo. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86 dundu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166, 210

Desmodium setigerum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230 dwarf cassia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
devil orchid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269 dwarf chironia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
devil’s thorn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249 dwarf everlasting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Dianthus mooiensis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 dwarf grassland sugarbush. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Dianthus zeyheri. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227 dwarf hibiscus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Dicerocaryum senecioides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249 dwarf sage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Dicoma anomala. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183 dwarf white ipomoea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Dicoma zeyheri. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 dwergsuurkanol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Dierama adelphicum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239 dwergthunbergia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Dierama gracile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199 dyathoho. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Dietes iridioides. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75 dye bush. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Dimorphotheca caulescens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 dyebossie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Dimorphotheca jucunda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184 Dyschoriste setigera . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
dintšhi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183 dysentery herb. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Diospyros lycioides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Dipcadi marlothii. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267 E
Dipcadi viride. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
DIPSACACEAE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12, 61, 62 eared vernonia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Disa aristata. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206 eastern escarpment pink heath . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Disa baurii. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248 eastern shrubby slugwort . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Disa extinctoria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206 EBENACEAE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12, 62
Disa fragrans. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206 ebony family. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Disa patula . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207 Ecklon’s commelina. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Disa polygonoides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207 elegant witchweed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165, 209
Disa saxicola . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89 elephantine ceropegia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Disa versicolor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207 Empodium elongatum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Disperis disaeformis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90 Enicostema axillare. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Dissotis canescens. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205 Epaltes gariepina. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Dissotis princeps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247 Erica alticola . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
dithupa. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127 Erica cerinthoides. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
doll’s powderpuff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228 Erica drakensbergensis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
doll’s protea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 erica family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Dombeya rotundifolia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 Erica holtii. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
doringkomkommertjie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142 Erica simii. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
doringpapawer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209 Erica woodii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
doringtou . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273 ERICACEAE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12, 63, 189, 190
Drakensberg heath . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 erica-leaved sage bush. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Drakensbergheide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 ERIOCAULACEAE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12, 64
Drimia calcarata. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 Eriocaulon sonderianum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Drimia depressa. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72 Eriosema buchananii. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Drimia elata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236 Eriosema cordatum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Drimia multisetosa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72 Eriosema ellipticifolium. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Drimia sp.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 Eriosema nutans. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Drimia sphaerocephala . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72 Eriosema salignum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
drolpeer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 ERIOSPERMACEAE. . . . . . . . . . . . 6, 13, 64, 143
dronkui . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267 Eriospermum abyssinicum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
droog-my-keel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290 Eriospermum cooperi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
drooping agapanthus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219 eriospermum family. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Drosera dielsiana. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230 Eriospermum flagelliforme. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
DROSERACEAE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12, 230 Eriospermum porphyrium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
drumstick flower. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106 Eriospermum porphyrovalve. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
dubbeltjie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211, 249 escarpment karee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
duiweltjies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249 escarpment silver yellow-head . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Eucomis autumnalis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267 flax family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Eucomis pallidiflora . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 fluweelboontjie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Eucomis zambesiaca. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 fly bush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Eulophia angolensis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162 forest cineraria. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Eulophia clavicornis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90, 162 forest freesia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Eulophia ensata. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163 forest grape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Eulophia foliosa. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269 forest poison-rope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Eulophia hians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90 Formosa lily. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Eulophia inaequalis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162 fragrant disa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Eulophia leontoglossa. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92 frankhout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Eulophia livingstoneana. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248 Freesia grandiflora . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Eulophia ovalis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90 Freesia laxa. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Eulophia parviflora. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163 frilly carnation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Eulophia parvilabris . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91 frilly pea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Eulophia petersii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91 FUMARIACEAE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Eulophia streptopetala . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163 furry crassula. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Eumorphia davyi. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Euphorbia clavarioides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143 G
euphorbia family. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
gallsick bush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Euphorbia pulvinata. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
Galopina aspera. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Euphorbia striata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
Galpin’s raphio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
EUPHORBIACEAE. . . . . . . 13, 65, 190, 191, 266
Galsteenbossie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Euryops pedunculatus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
gardenia family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Euryops transvaalensis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Gazania krebsiana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43, 120
evening primrose family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
geel sewejaartjie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Exochaenium grande. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
geelbiesie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
geelblommetjie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
F geelbossie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
FABACEAE. . . . . . 13, 65, 66, 144–152, 191–197, geeleendagsblom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
230–233, 284, 285 geelhoutkop. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Fadogia homblei. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167 geelklits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
fairy African hyacinth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237 geelklokkies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
fairy-bell pachycarpus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278 geelkopieva . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
fairybells . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199 geelmagriet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
falling stars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198 geelvuurlelie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
false gentian. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219 Geigeria burkei. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
false gerbera. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122 Genlisea hispidula . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
false indigo. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192 gentian family. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
false nasturtium. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137 GENTIANACEAE. . . . . . . . . . . . . 13, 66, 67, 152,
false spurry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 153, 233, 234
farmer’s string . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157 GERANIACEAE . . . . . . . . . . 13, 67–69, 198, 234
Faurea rochetiana. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212 Geranium wakkerstroomianum . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Felicia bechuanica. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Gerbera ambigua . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43, 121
Felicia muricata. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Gerbera galpinii. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Felicia rosulata. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220 Gerbera natalensis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
fever tea. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109 Gerbera piloselloides. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44, 122
fibre-bark family. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Gerbera viridifolia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
fibrous slime lily. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 Gerrard’s brachystelma . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
fire heath . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189 GESNERIACEAE. . . . . . . . . 13, 70, 198, 234, 235
fire lily . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173 gewone lantana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
fireball lily . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174 giant African hyacinth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
flame lily. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140 giant carrion flower . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
flame thorn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 giant chlorophytum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
giant crassula . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 griekwateebossie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43, 121

giant milkweed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 groenteebossie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
giant pineapple lily . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 groot mielierooiblom. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165, 209
giant poker. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182 groot weegblaar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
gifappel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60, 257 grootblousalie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
gifbolletjie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285 grootmelkbos. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
gifbossie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167, 168 grootslymuintjie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
gifbruidsbos. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101 gunnera family. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
giftou. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Gunnera perpensa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Gladiolus crassifolius . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200 GUNNERACEAE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13, 285
Gladiolus dalenii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157, 200 gunpowder plant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54, 186
Gladiolus densiflorus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286 Gymnanthemum corymbosum. . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Gladiolus ecklonii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286 Gymnanthemum myrianthum. . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
gladiolus family. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Gymnosporia buxifolia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Gladiolus ferrugineus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Gladiolus longicollis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75 H
Gladiolus papilio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Gladiolus permeabilis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 haaskos family. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Gladiolus sekukuniensis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 haaskos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Gladiolus vernus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201 Habenaria bonatea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Gladiolus woodii. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76, 286 Habenaria clavata. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Gloriosa modesta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187 Habenaria falcicornis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Gloriosa superba. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140 Habenaria filicornis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Gnidia caffra. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167 Habenaria galpinii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Gnidia canoargentea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168 hairbells. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Gnidia kraussiana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168 hairy balls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34, 262
Gnidia microcephala. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168 hairy grape bush. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Gnidia nodiflora. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167 hairy spurflower. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Gnidia polyantha . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169 hairy stink-leaved bride’s bush. . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
golden arum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114 hairy-leaved pentanisia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
golden flat-flower . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134 handkerchief flower . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
golden meadow-star . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113 Haplocarpha scaposa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Gomphocarpus physocarpus . . . . . . . . . . . 34, 262 hardetaaibos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
goorappel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272 hard-leaved currant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
granadilla family. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 hare’s tail bush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
granny bonnet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90 harige bruidsbos. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
grape family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 harige spoorsalie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
grasaalwyn. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178, 181 Harpagophytum zeyheri. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288
grasangelier. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227 heart-leaved eriosema. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
grasklokkies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199, 239 Hebenstretia angolensis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
grass aloe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181 Hebenstretia comosa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
grass star-flower. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155 Hebenstretia dura. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
grass-flower. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264 Hebenstretia oatesii. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
grassland cross-flower. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224 hedgehog sage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
grassland gazania . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43, 120 Helichrysum acutatum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
grassland hookleaf-pea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231 Helichrysum adenocarpum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
grassland indigofera . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194 Helichrysum albilanatum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
grass-leaved berkheya. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118 Helichrysum appendiculatum . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
grassveld currant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261 Helichrysum aureum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
grasveld-indigofera . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194 Helichrysum caespititium. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
grasveldtaaibos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261 Helichrysum candolleanum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
grasveldvlieëkeurtjie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231 Helichrysum cephaloideum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
greenbrier family. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Helichrysum chionosphaerum. . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
griekwatee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Helichrysum chrysargyrum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Helichrysum confertifolium. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 honey disa. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207

Helichrysum epapposum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124 honey flower. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Helichrysum galpinii. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125 honeysuckle family. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Helichrysum harveyanum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125 hooded meadow-star . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Helichrysum herbaceum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125 hottentotskooigoed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Helichrysum junodii. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 hound’s tongue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51, 224
Helichrysum lepidissimum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126 Huernia zebrina. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Helichrysum mutabile. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126 HYACINTHACEAE . . . . . . . . . . . . 14, 71–74, 236,
Helichrysum nudifolium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46, 128 237, 267, 268, 285
Helichrysum obductum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126 HYPERICACEAE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14, 154
Helichrysum odoratissimum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127 Hypericum aethiopicum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Helichrysum oreophilum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127 Hypericum lalandii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Helichrysum oxyphyllum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Hypericum revolutum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Helichrysum pallidum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127 HYPOXIDACEAE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14, 155–157
Helichrysum pilosellum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128 Hypoxis angustifolia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Helichrysum platypterum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Hypoxis filiformis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Helichrysum polycladum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Hypoxis galpinii. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Helichrysum rudolfii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128 Hypoxis hemerocallidea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Helichrysum rugulosum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Hypoxis iridifolia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Helichrysum setosum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128 Hypoxis multiceps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Helichrysum spiralepis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Hypoxis obtusa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Helichrysum splendidum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129 Hypoxis rigidula. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Helichrysum truncatum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Helichrysum umbraculigerum . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129 I
Helichrysum uninervium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Helichrysum wilmsii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 ice plant family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Heliophila rigidiuscula . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224 Ifafa lily . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Hemizygia albiflora . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 Ifafalelie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Hemizygia rehmannii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 Indigastrum costatum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Herero spoorsalie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240 Indigastrum fastigiatum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Herero spurflower. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240 Indigofera arrecta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
Hermannia burkei. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159 Indigofera comosa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Hermannia cristata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204 Indigofera frondosa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Hermannia denudata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204 Indigofera hedyantha . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Hermannia depressa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204 Indigofera hilaris . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Hermannia lancifolia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160 Indigofera homblei. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
Hermannia waterbergensis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160 Indigofera melanadenia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Herschelianthe baurii. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248 Indigofera oxalidea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Hesperantha baurii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201 Indigofera reducta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Hesperantha brevicaulis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201 Indigofera rehmannii. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Hesperantha coccinea. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202 Indigofera rostrata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
heuningbossie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 Indigofera sanguinea. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Hibiscus aethiopicus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 Inezia speciosa. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
hibiscus family. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 ink flower family. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Hibiscus lunarifolius . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160 ink plant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Hibiscus trionum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86 inkberry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
highveld silver yellow-head. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168 inkblom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Hilliardiella aristata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221 inoni. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Hilliardiella elaeagnoides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221 Inula glomerata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Hilliardiella hirsuta. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222 Inula paniculata. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Hilliardiella sutherlandii. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222 Inulanthera calva. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
hlohlwane hlo. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114 inwame . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
hoëveld kalossie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202 Ipomoea crassipes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
hondepisbossie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113 Ipomoea oblongata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Ipomoea obscura . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140 kherodwe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192

Ipomoea simplex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 khethahame . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
IRIDACEAE . . . . . . . . . . . . 14, 75–77, 157, 158, khethokhu-sodi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
198–202, 238–240, 286 khisogo. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Ischyrolepis schoenoides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289 khunguswa. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
kidney-leaf. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
J klawersuring. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
jakkalsbos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 klein wittulp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
jakkalsdruif . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216 kleingousblommetjie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Jamesbrittenia accrescens. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289 kleingrasaalwyn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Jamesbrittenia aurantiaca . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214 kleurbossie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Jamesbrittenia macrantha . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255 klimop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55, 99
Japanese honeysuckle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 klimsuring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Japanse kanferfoelie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 klipkersie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Jatropha zeyheri. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 klipsalie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Jeukbol. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236 knapsekêrel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
jeukui . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72 Kniphofia coralligemma. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
JUNCACEAE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14, 287 Kniphofia multiflora . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Juncus dregeanus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287 Kniphofia splendida . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Juncus lomatophyllus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287 knoppiesaalwyn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Justicia anagalloides. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 knoppiesklits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51, 224
Justicia betonica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Knowltonia transvaalensis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
knuckle-beans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
K koba molomo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Kohautia amatymbica. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
kakiebos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139 koorsbossie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Kalanchoe crundallii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188 kort-lob bruin aasblom. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
Kalanchoe luciae . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141 kosmos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Kalanchoe rotundifolia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188 Kotschya parvifolia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Kalanchoe winteri . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141 kransaalwyn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
kalmoes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 krantz aloe. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
kalwerbossie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247 Krebs’ gentian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
kanarieklimop. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138 kroesbossie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
kandelaarblom. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173 kruipsterklits. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
kankerblare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166 kruisement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78, 240
kapokblommetjie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 kruitbossie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
kappertjieblaar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137 Kyllinga alba . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
katpisbossie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190 Kyllinga melanosperma . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
katsnor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
katstert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
kerriebos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154, 254
L
kerriekruie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129 Lablab purpureus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
kgarikgari . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158, 199 Lactuca inermis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
kgobabe-nku . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 lady’s mantle-leaved pelargonium. . . . . . . . . . . . 68
kgophane ya noka . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173 Laggera crispata. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
kgopha-ya-fase . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178 Laland-se-Sint Janskruid. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
kgopo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140 LAMIACEAE . . . . . . . . .14, 77–82, 203, 240–243
Khadia borealis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24, 25 langsterttrewwa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93, 208
Khadia media. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Lannea edulis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
khadiwortel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219 *Lantana camara. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
khebajabajani . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139 lantana family. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
khebala-khatha. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231 Lantana rugosa. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
khedomedza. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 large blue sage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
khenogwane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147 large mountain ink flower. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
large-flowered evening primrose. . . . . . . . . . . . 162 Limpopo spotted aloe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179

large-flowered sebaea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 Limpopobontaalwyn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
large-leaved stachys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243 LINACEAE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15, 159
Lasiosiphon caffer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167 LINDERNIACEAE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15, 83, 203
Lasiosiphon canoargenteus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168 Linum thunbergii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Lasiosiphon kraussianus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168 lion’s eye. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Lasiosiphon microcephalus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168 lion’s spoor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Lasiosiphon polyanthus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169 lion’s tongue orchid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
leafy juncus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287 Lippia javanica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Lebombo aloe. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180 Litogyne gariepina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Lebombo-aalwyn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180 little russet pea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Ledebouria asperifolia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236 Littonia modesta. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Ledebouria caesiomontana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236 Lobelia aquaemontis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Ledebouria cooperi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237 Lobelia eurypoda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Ledebouria inquinata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268 lobelia family. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Ledebouria sandersonii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237 Lobelia flaccida . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Ledebouria zebrina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268 Lobelia goetzei . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
leeubekkie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105, 215 Lobelia lobata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
leeutong. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92 Lobelia vanreenensis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
lefalatsamaro. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38, 39 LOBELIACEAE . . . . . . . . . . . 15, 84, 85, 244–246
Lefebvrea grantii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113 lobster flower. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
lefotosane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113 long-tubed cyrtanthus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
legollane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 *Lonicera japonica. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
leg-ripper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273 Lopholaena disticha. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
lehlanye . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97 Lopholaena festiva. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
lehlokwa la tsela. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97 Lotononis corymbosa. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
lehwama. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172 Lotononis eriantha . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
leilane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69, 154, 171 Lotononis lanceolata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
lekgokgosha . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86 Lotononis pariflora . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
lekkerruik-disa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206 Lotus discolor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
lengalane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131 luisboom. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
lengana. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
lenthekhu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27, 199 M
LENTIBULARIACEAE. . . . . . . . . . . . . 14, 83, 158
Leobordea corymbosa. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147 maagtee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Leobordea eriantha . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147 mabjana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Leobordea lanceolata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148 Macledium zeyheri . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Leobordea pariflora . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148 Macowania tenuifolia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Leonotis intermedia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203 Macrotyloma axillare. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
lesanye . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97 Maerua cafra. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
lešogotho . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142 magapule. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
lesoko. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 magorometša. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
lesser yellow-head. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168 magriet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
leta-la-phofu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219 maime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25, 26
letlatšana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174 makakane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
letšididi. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109 makgonatšohle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66, 190, 205
lightning bush. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270 makgopo. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166, 210
lilac pachycarpus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 MALPIGHIACEAE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15, 159
LILIACEAE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15, 83 malva . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
*Lilium formosanum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83 MALVACEAE. . . . 15, 85, 86, 159–161, 204, 205
lily family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 manokeng . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
lime-yellow pea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 Manulea parviflora. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290
Limosella inflata. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105 many-veined currant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Limosella maior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105 mapata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
maphuma difala. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73, 267 mokolonyane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

maramaboontjie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152 molalathau. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
marguerite. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 mole’s spectacles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Mariscus keniensis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281 MOLLUGINACEAE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16, 88
Mariscus solidus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282 mominti . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78, 240
Martha se viooltjie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253 Momordica foetida. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
masiva. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233 monkey’s tail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Matabele violet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242 monkey-tail everlasting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
matjiesgoed. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283 monna-ga-apara. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
mayime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173 monopi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Melasma scabrum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165 Monopsis decipiens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
MELASTOMATACEAE . . . . . . . . . 15, 87, 205, 247 Monopsis stellarioides. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Melhania prostrata. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161 Monsonia angustifolia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
melkbol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263 Monsonia glauca . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
melkdissel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138 Monsonia lanuginosa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
melkgras . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266 montbretia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
melkpol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143 monyaku. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60, 142, 265
melktou . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 moogwani . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
melkwortel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264 moonseed family. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
MENISPERMACEAE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15, 87 mopatše. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Mentha aquatica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240 Moraea marionae. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Mentha longifolia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78 Moraea modesta. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Merremia tridentata. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141 Moraea moggii. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Merwilla plumbea. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237 Moraea muddii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
MESEMBRYANTHEMACEAE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Moraea natalensis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Metalasia densa. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131 Moraea stricta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Mexican aster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183 morarwane. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Meyer’s ceropegia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 morning glory family. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
milk thistle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138 morobe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
milkweed family. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 morokolo-pudi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290
milkweed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266 morullwa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
minaret-flower . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203 mošimanyanašokeng . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
miniature blue iris . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238 mošuhla. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
miniature granadilla . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95 mosunkwane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109, 258
miniature morning glory. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141 moswikiri . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
mmeetse. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 motheba . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
mock scabious. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 mothema . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
moederkappie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287, 288 mothlonu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
mofe. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107 mothola-o-mo-tala . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
mofedula. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284 mothwathathaa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
mogalagala. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97 motilantilane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
mogaletlwa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 motlatlaila. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
mogolobe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259 motshikidi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
mohlahlaila . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220 motshikwane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
mohlako. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212 motši. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
mohlomela-tsie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125 mountain cotton-bush. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
mohlotla . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137 mountain gonna. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
moilantši. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 mountain vernonia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
mokgahlišane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192, 195, 196 mountain wild garlic. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
mokhalela . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145 mpepe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
mokhuba . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 mphurokhu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
mokhutakgakala. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137 mphyamafi. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
mokhwibitsana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154 mpokopoko . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
mokolao. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 mudiatholana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
muduhwi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140 octopus cartwheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

mudwort . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105 *Oenothera glazioviana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
mudyanongo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154 Oldenlandia herbacea. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
muishondbossie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265 Oldenlandia rupicola. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
mulanga . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 olifantsoor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70, 198
mululudza . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221 ONAGRACEAE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16, 162
muluwa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 onion family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
munawa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231 Oocephala staehelinoides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
mundodzi. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146 oorpynwortel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288
Muraltia empetroides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96 orange poppy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Murdannia simplex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229 orange tephrosia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
murudji. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233 orange tritonia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
mushidzhi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Orbea melanantha . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
mutango . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212 orchid family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
mutshalimela. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 ORCHIDACEAE. . .16, 88–94, 162–164, 206–208,
mutshatshaila. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220 247, 248, 268, 269, 287, 288
mutungu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Ornithogalum capillare. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
muxe. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107 Ornithogalum graminifolium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
MYROTHAMNACEAE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16, 205 Ornithogalum tenuifolium. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Myrothamnus flabellifolius. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205 OROBANCHACEAE . . . . . . . . . .16, 94, 164, 165,
209, 248, 249
N Orthochilus ensatus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
naaldebossie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 Orthochilus foliosus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
naaldvormige dwergtaaibos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261 Orthochilus leontoglossus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
naka la tholo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114 Orthosiphon tubiformis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
narrow-leaf fountain-bush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231 Osteospermum auriculatum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
narrow-leaved bulbine. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115 Osteospermum jucundum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
narrow-leaved ribwort. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288 Osteospermum moniliferum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
narrow-leaved sorrel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95 Otholobium wilmsii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
nastergal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107 Othonna natalensis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
*Nasturtium officinale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Otiophora calycophylla . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Natal bluebell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218 Otiophora cupheoides. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Natal crocus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 OXALIDACEAE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16, 95, 165, 209
Natal primrose. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 *Oxalis corniculata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
needle-leaved dwarf currant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261 *Oxalis latifolia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Nemesia fruticans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215 Oxalis obliquifolia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Nemesia zimbabwensis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105 Oxalis smithiana. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
nentabos. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188 ox-eye daisy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Neobolusia tysonii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92 Oxygonum dregeanum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Neonotonia wightii. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285 Oxygonum sinuatum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
ngopani . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Nidorella auriculata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131 P
Nidorella pinnata. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132 Pachycarpus appendiculatus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
Nidorella undulata. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132 Pachycarpus asperifolius . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
nkekologe. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167, 169 Pachycarpus campanulatus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
nngu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Pachycarpus concolor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
northern white lady . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Pachycarpus schinzianus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
nyatsi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Pachycarpus validus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
paddaklou . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
O paintbrush. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
oblique-leaved sorrel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95 painted lady . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Ocimum obovatum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78 Papaver aculeatum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Ocimum tubiforme. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203 PAPAVERACEAE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16, 209
papegaaigladiolus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157, 200 Pimpinella caffra. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

paper plume. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 pincushion cactus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
pasamala . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 pineapple lily. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Passerina montana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107 pink and white gerbera . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
PASSIFLORACEAE . . . . . . . . . . . 17, 95, 166, 210 pink candle orchid. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
patrysblom. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 pink everlasting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
patrysuintjie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 pink garden sorrel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Pavetta gardeniifolia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101 pink pavonia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Pavetta schumanniana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101 pink spur bush. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Pavonia columella . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205 pipewort family. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
pea family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 pipewort . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Pearsonia aristata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148 pipitwane ye kgolo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Pearsonia cajanifolia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149 pipitwane. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141, 279
Pearsonia obovata. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149 plakkie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187, 188
Pearsonia sessilifolia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149 PLANTAGINACEAE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17, 288
PEDALIACEAE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17, 96, 210, 288 *Plantago lanceolata. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288
Pelargonium alchemilloides. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 *Plantago major. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
Pelargonium dolomiticum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 plantain family. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
pelargonium family. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 platorand-suikerbos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Pelargonium graveolens. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 platvoet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
Pelargonium luridum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69, 198 platvoetaasblom. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Pelargonium multicaule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 Plectranthus hadiensis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
pendoring. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Plectranthus hereroensis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Pentanisia angustifolia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253 Plectranthus mutabilis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Pentanisia prunelloides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253 Plectranthus neochilus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Pentarrhinum insipidum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113 Plectranthus rubropunctatus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Peponium caledonicum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142 ploegtydblommetjie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
PERACEAE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17, 270 pluimbossie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
persboom. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252 pointed-leaved crassula . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Persicaria attenuata. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211 poison apple. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
Persicaria madagascariensis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211 poison bride’s bush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
perskwasbossie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223 pokeweed family. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Peucedanum caffrum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111 Polygala albida. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Peucedanum upingtoniae . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113 polygala family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
phathaphathani . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220 Polygala gerrardii. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
phela ennyane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Polygala gracilenta. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
phela. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Polygala hottentota . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
phelana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Polygala houtboshiana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Phygelius aequalis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215 Polygala producta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
PHYLLANTHACEAE . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17, 210, 271 Polygala transvaalensis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
phyllanthus family. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Polygala uncinata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Phyllanthus incurvus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271 Polygala virgata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Phyllanthus nummulariifolius . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271 POLYGALACEAE. . . . . . . . . . 17, 96, 97, 250–252
Phyllanthus parvulus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210 POLYGONACEAE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17, 211, 212
Phymaspermum argenteum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133 pom-pom weed. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Phymaspermum athanasioides. . . . . . . . . . . . 134 pompombossie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
*Phytolacca octandra. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249 pondblossom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
PHYTOLACCACEAE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17, 249 poppy family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
pienkheide. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190 poprosie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
pienk-senecio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185 potato family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
pienksewejaartjie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184 potsolome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
pietersielietabak. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111 prickle head . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
pig’s ears . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187 prickly heaps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
Pilogyne scabra . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 primrose gentian. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
pronkbessie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214 reuse aasblom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114

Protea caffra . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97, 212 reuseplakkie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
protea family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 reusevuurpyl. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Protea gaguedi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98 Rhoicissus tomentosa. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Protea roupelliae . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213 Rhoicissus tridentata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290
Protea rubropilosa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213 rhubarb family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Protea simplex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213 Rhus discolor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Protea welwitschii. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98 Rhus gracillima . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
PROTEACEAE. . . . . . . . . . . 18, 97, 98, 212, 213 Rhus pondoensis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Prototulbaghia siebertii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Rhus transvaalensis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Psammotropha mucronata. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88 Rhus tumulicola. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Psammotropha myriantha. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88 Rhynchosia monophylla. . . . . . . . . . . . . 150, 197
Pseudarthria hookeri. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196 Rhynchosia nervosa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Pseudopegolettia tenella . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223 Rhynchosia totta. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Psoralea glabra. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231 Rhynchosia woodii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Psoralea latifolia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232 Riocreuxia picta. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Psoralea pinnata. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231, 232 river bells . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Pterygodium magnum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287 river lily . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Pterygodium nigrescens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288 rivierklokkie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
purple broom. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252 rivierlelie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
purple gorse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96 rivierpampoen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
purple top . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258 roadside doll’s rose. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Pycnostachys reticulata. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241 robust pioneer creeper. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Pycreus oakfortensis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283 robyn spoorsalie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Pygmaeothamnus chamaedendrum . . . . . . . . . 272 rock milkapricot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
pygmy medlar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272 rock sage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
pygmy sand apple . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272 rondeklits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
pyjama flower. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 rooiblom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
rooihaartjie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Q rooi-opslag. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
rooipypie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
quilted-leaved vernonia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222 rooirivierlelie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
rooiwortel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
R ROSACEAE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18, 99, 166, 214
Rabdosiella calycina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 rose family. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Rabdosiella leemannii. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 rosebud hermannia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
rambola-vhadzimu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285 rose-scented pelargonium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
rankboontjie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150 Rotheca hirsuta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
RANUNCULACEAE . . . . . . . 18, 98, 99, 166, 214 rotstuinsalie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Ranunculus multifidus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166 rough-leaved African hyacinth. . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Raphionacme galpinii. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263 round-head drimia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Raphionacme hirsuta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219 RUBIACEAE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18, 100–102, 167,
Raphionacme procumbens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263 252, 253, 271–273
rasperdisseldoring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118 *Rubus originalis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
red hot poker aloe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177 Rubus sp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
red-dot spurflower . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 Ruellia cordata. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
redflower ragleaf. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183 *Rumex acetosella. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
red-hot poker. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182 Rumex sagittatus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
redstar zinnia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186 RUSCACEAE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Restio schoenoides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289 rush family. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
RESTIONACEAE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18, 289 rusperbossie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
resurrection plant family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 russet lotononis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
resurrection plant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205 russet rock sedge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282
S seerooglelie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
segadya . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31, 35, 36
saffraanbossie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214 segwapi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98, 213
sage family. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 segwete . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
saliehout. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254 sehlapišo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Salvia disermas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242 sekakgopha . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Salvia dolomitica. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242 sekalerothane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Salvia radula. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 sekanama . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
sandalwood family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 sekelklits. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
sandlelie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 sekgalaka. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
SANTALACEAE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18, 103 sekgopha sa letshollo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Sarcostemma viminale. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 sekgopha . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178, 180
satellite-dish. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262 Selago atherstonei . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
satin squill. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236 Selago capitellata. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Satureja biflora . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 Selago elata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Satyrium cristatum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93 Selago procera . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Satyrium longicauda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93, 208 Selago rehmannii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Satyrium neglectum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208 seltapišo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Satyrium parviflorum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269 selumi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68, 69
Satyrium trinerve. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93 Senecio conrathii. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Scabiosa columbaria. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Senecio coronatus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
scabious family. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Senecio erubescens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279
Scadoxus multiflorus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174 Senecio gerrardii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Scadoxus puniceus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174 Senecio hederiformis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
scarlet river lily . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202 Senecio helminthioides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Schistostephium crataegifolium . . . . . . . . . . . 134 Senecio inornatus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Schizocarphus nervosus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 Senecio isatidioides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Schizochilus cecilii. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94 Senecio junodii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Schizochilus zeyheri . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164 Senecio oxyriifolius . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Schizoglossum bidens. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263 Senecio panduriformis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Schizoglossum cordifolium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264 Senecio pentactinus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Schizostylis coccinea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202 Senecio ruwenzoriensis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Schoenoplectus corymbosus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283 Senecio speciosus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Schoenoxiphium sparteum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265 Senecio tamoides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Scilla natalensis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237 Senecio venosus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Scilla nervosa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 Senegalia ataxacantha . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Scleria bulbifera. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284 *Senna septemtrionalis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
SCROPHULARIACEAE. . . 18, 103–106, 214, 215, senopi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186, 203
253–256, 289, 290 sepo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60, 265
Searsia discolor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261 Seriphium plumosum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Searsia gracillima. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261 sesame family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Searsia pondoensis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261 Sesamum triphyllum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Searsia transvaalensis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175 sesepitšana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Searsia tumulicola. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176 sesogadi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
sebabane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216 sesokwana. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Sebaea bojeri . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152 setlika. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Sebaea erosa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153 sewejaartjie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123, 124, 128
Sebaea grandis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 sheathed gladiolus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
Sebaea rehmannii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153 sheep sorrel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Sebaea sedoides. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153 sheep-ears everlasting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
sebatla badimo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 shimbangana. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
sedge family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 shiny fluff-bush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
sedumela . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 short-lobed brown carrion flower. . . . . . . . . . . 277
seeroogblom. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174 Sida rhombifolia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Silene burchellii. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186 Soutpansberg marguerite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

Silene undulata. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Soutpansbergmadeliefie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
silky burweed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Sparrmannia ricinocarpa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
silver sugarbush. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213 Special . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
silver vernonia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221 speelwonderboom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
silver-leaved star-flower . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157 Spermacoce natalensis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
silvery bluebush. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Sphedamnocarpus pruriens. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
silvery sopubia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249 spider flower. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
silwerertjietee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149 spider-lily family. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
silwersuikerbos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213 spike-thorn family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
sipho. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59, 189 spikethorn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Sisyranthus imberbis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264 spindly St John’s wort. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Sium repandum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112 spoorblom. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
sjokoladeklokkies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 spotted cleome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
skaapoorbossie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184 spur bush. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
skoenlapperplant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246 spurge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
skuinsblaarsuring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95 St John’s wort family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
skunk bush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254 St Joseph’s lily. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
slangbos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Stachys grandifolia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
slangwortel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211 Stachys nigricans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
slanksuikerbos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213 Stachys rehmannii. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
slender fluff-seed. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143 Stapelia gigantea. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
slender indigo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193 Star lily family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
slymuintjie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 Starburr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
smal weegblaar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288 starstalk. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
smalblaarfonteinbos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231 steekbos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
small Afrikander. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 steenboksuring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
small fluff-seed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143 stekelsalie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
small pink witchweed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94 Stemodiopsis kamundii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
small purple broom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97 Stemodiopsis rivae. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
small red iris . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200 Stephania abyssinica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
small St John’s wort . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154 sterblom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
small yellow gerbera. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44, 122 sticky everlasting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
smelly spurflower . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241 sticky shield-tongue. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
SMILACACEAE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19, 273 sticky-leaved monopsis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Smilax anceps. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273 stinging nettle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
Smithia erubescens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151 stinkbos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
snapdragon family. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 stinkbossie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
snotuintjie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72 Stoebe plumosa. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
sobosobo berry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107 stokroos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
soccerball thick-fruit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277 Stomatanthes africanus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
soetwildeknoffel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172 stonecrop family. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
SOLANACEAE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19, 107, 257 stork’s bill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69, 198
Solanum campylacanthum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257 Streptocarpus caeruleus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
*Solanum mauritianum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257 Streptocarpus cyaneus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Solanum panduriforme. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257 Streptocarpus dunnii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Solanum retroflexum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107 Streptocarpus galpinii. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Solanum rubetorum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257 Streptocarpus longiflorus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Sonchus wilmsii. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138 Streptocarpus parviflorus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
sooibrandbossie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253 Streptocarpus rimicola . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
sopapane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99 Streptocarpus vandeleurii. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Sopubia cana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249 Striga bilabiata. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
sorrel family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Striga elegans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165, 209
Soutpansberg fly bush. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 Strophanthus speciosus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
sugarbush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97, 212 tonteldoosbossie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122

suikerbos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97, 212 torch lily . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
sundew family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Trachyandra saltii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
sundew. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230 Tragia okanyua . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
suring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209 trailing pink daisy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Sutera foribunda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254 Transvaal clivia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Sutera levis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254 Transvaal currant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
suurkanol. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202 Transvaal silver and gold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
suurkomkommertjie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60, 265 Transvaal sugarbush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
swartteebossie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44, 81, 122, 220 Transvaal-taaibos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
sweet wild garlic. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172 traveller’s joy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
sybossie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135 tremble tops . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Syncolostemon albiflorus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 Trichodesma physaloides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Syncolostemon eriocephalus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 Tricliceras longepedunculatum. . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Syncolostemon rehmannii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 Trifolium africanum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Tripteris auriculata. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
T Tritonia nelsonii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Triumfetta pilosa. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
taai-astertjie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Triumfetta welwitschii. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
taaiman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
trompetlelie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
taaisewejaartjie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
troshofiesuikerbos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
*Tagetes minuta. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
tsebe ya kolobe. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
tall khaki weed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
tsebe ya tlou. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70, 118
tandpynwortel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
tselegani . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
TECOPHILAEACEAE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19, 107
tshididiri . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97, 212, 213
Teedia lucida. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
tshidzimba-vhalisa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Tenrhynea phylicifolia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
tshihwilili . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Tephrosia capensis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
tshikhopha. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Tephrosia elongata. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
tshiphandwa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Tephrosia shiluwanensis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
tshita di ngaka. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Tetraselago nelsonii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
tshituku . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Tetraselago wilmsii. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
tsibi ekhi mahapi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Teucrium trifidum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
tsoga. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
teye-ya-thaba . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
tuinsuring. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Thesium deceptum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Tulbaghia acutiloba. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Thesium goetzeanum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Tulbaghia leucantha. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Thesium gracilarioides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Tulbaghia siebertii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Thesium scirpioides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Tulbaghia simmleri . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Thesium utile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Tulbaghia transvaalensis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
thick-fruit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
tumbleweed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
thick-leaved gladiolus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Turbina oblongata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
thithikwane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
turnera family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
thokgola. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
TURNERACEAE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19, 215
thola. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
Tylophora coddii. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279
Thompson’s aloe. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Tylosema fassoglense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Thorncroftia succulenta. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Thunbergia amoena . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Thunbergia atriplicifolia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
U
Thunbergia natalensis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218 uintjie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
THYMELAEACEAE . . . . . . . . . . 19, 107, 167–169 Urginea calcarata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
tibouchina family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Urginea depressa. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
titikwane. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172 Urginea epigea. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Tolpis capensis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139 Urginea multisetosa. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
tongblaarsalie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 Ursinia nana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
tontelbossie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122 Utricularia livida. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Utricularia prehensilis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158 wag-‘n-bietjie-klimop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273

Wahlenbergia banksiana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
V Wahlenbergia brachiata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
valentynsblom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198 Wahlenbergia huttonii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
valerian family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Wahlenbergia lycopodioides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Valeriana capensis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108 Wahlenbergia madagascariensis . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
VALERIANACEAE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19, 108 Wahlenbergia magaliesbergensis. . . . . . . . . . . . 52
vallende sterretjies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199 Wahlenbergia squamifolia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
variable shield-tongue. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262 Wahlenbergia undulata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
varklelie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Wahlenbergia virgata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53, 226
varkore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187 Walleria nutans. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
veelnerftaaibos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261 wandering Jew . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
veerbossie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214 warkruid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
veld violet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218 water glass. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
VELLOZIACEAE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19, 108, 258 water lightning-bush. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
velvet bean. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196 water mint. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
velvet yellow bush pea. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144 water parsnip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
*Verbena bonariensis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258 water pom-pom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
VERBENACEAE . . . . . . . . 20, 108, 109, 216, 258 Waterberg agapanthus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
verfblommetjie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106, 164 Waterberg lobelia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
verfbol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 Waterberg-bloulelie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
verfbossie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284 waterblaartjie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
verkleurmannetjie spoorsalie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241 waterbliksembos. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
vermeersiektebossie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121 watercress. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Vernonia galpinii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223 Watsonia transvaalensis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Vernonia hirsuta. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222 watsonia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Vernonia myriantha. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221 waving pelargonium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69, 198
Vernonia natalensis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221 weerligbos. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Vernonia oligocephala. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221 white arum lily. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Vernonia staehelinoides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223 white button sedge. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Vernonia sutherlandii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222 white felicia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Vernonia tigna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220 white fluff-bush. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
vieruurtjies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 white fluffy-seed. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Vigna nervosa. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233 white geranium. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Vigna schlechteri. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233 white mountain hemizygia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Vigna vexillata. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233 white squill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Vincetoxicum coddii. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279 white stonecrop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Viola abyssinica. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109 white sugarbush. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
VIOLACEAE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20, 109 white trumpets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
violet family. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 white-flowered sedge. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
VITACEAE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20, 216, 259, 290 white-velvet tree erica. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
vlamdoring. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 wild African hyacinth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
vlamlelie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140 wild anemone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
vlei cabbage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136 wild asparagus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
vlei gladiolus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239 wild aster. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
vlei orchid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162 wild begonia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
vlei-orgidee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162 wild bindweed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
vlieëpisbossie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154 wild buttercup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
voetangel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266 wild crocus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
vuurlelie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173 wild cucumber. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60, 142, 265
vuurpyl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182 wild currant family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
wild date. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
W wild flax. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
waaierlelie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199 wild fuchsia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
wild garlic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171 wildewinde. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229

wild granadilla . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166, 210 willow-leaved eriosema. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
wild grape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175 willowy slugwort. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
wild hibiscus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160 winter star-flower . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
wild iris . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239 wishbone-flower family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
wild lettuce . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 witbiesie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
wild lobelia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245 witbos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
wild mint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78 witgousblommetjie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
wild morning glory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229 witsuikerbos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
wild parsley. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111 witvlekvarkoor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
wild pear. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 wolbossie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
wild pentas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252 Wolkberg hemizygia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
wild petunia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140 woodland painted petals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
wild pink. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227 woolly grassland senecio. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
wild rhubarb. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285 woolly sage bush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
wild sage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254 woolly umbrellas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
wild scabious . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
wild sesame . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
wild spinach. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59, 189
X
wild sweetpea. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233 Xenostegia tridentata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
wild thistle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116 Xerophyta purpurascens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
wild tibouchina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205, 247 Xerophyta schlechteri. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
wild verbena. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253, 258 XYRIDACEAE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20, 169
wild violet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242, 250, 251 Xyris congensis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
wilde tibouchina. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205 Xysmalobium acerateoides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
wilde-aartappel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Xysmalobium confusum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
wilde-als . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Xysmalobium parviflorum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
wilde-angelier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
wilde-appelkoos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176 Y
wildebalderjan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
wildebegonia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186 yellow bladderwort. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
wildedadel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167 yellow carpet bean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
wildedagga. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203 yellow convolvulus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
wildedruif. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175 yellow crassula . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
wilde-ertjie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233 yellow everlasting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123, 128
wilde-iris. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75 yellow fire lily . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
wildejakobregop. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186 yellow margaret . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
wildeklawer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197 yellow rock-everlasting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
wildeknoffel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171 yellow sedge. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
wildeknoflok . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 yellow shower. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
wildemalva. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68, 69, 198 yellow-eyed grass family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
wildepapawer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
wildepatat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140, 229 Z
wildepentas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
wildepynappel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267 Zaluzianskya microsiphon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
wildesalie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258 Zantedeschia aethiopica. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
wildesesam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210 Zantedeschia albomaculata. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
wildesonsoekertjie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222 Zantedeschia jucunda. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
wildeswaardlelie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157, 200 zebe ya dou. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
wildetabak. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Zehneria scabra. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
wildetee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219 zigzag crocosmia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
wildevingerhoedjie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96 *Zinnia peruviana. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
wildeviooltjie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251 Zornia capensis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
wildevlas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159 Zoutpansbergia caerulea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
S TRELITZIA
1. Botanical diversity in southern Africa. 1994. B.J. Huntley (ed.). ISBN 1-874907-25-0.
2. Cyperaceae in Natal. 1995. K.D. Gordon-Gray. ISBN 1-874907-04-8.
3. Cederberg vegetation and flora. 1996. H.C. Taylor. ISBN 1-874907-28-5.
4. Red Data List of southern African plants. 1996. C. Hilton-Taylor. ISBN 1-874907-29-3.
5. Taxonomic literature of southern African plants. 1997. N.L. Meyer, M. Mössmer & G.F. Smith (eds).
ISBN 1-874907-35-8.
6. Plants of the northern provinces of South Africa: keys and diagnostic characters. 1997. E. Retief &
P.P.J. Herman. ISBN 1-874907-30-7.
7. Preparing herbarium specimens. 1999. L. Fish. ISBN 1-919795-38-3.
8. Bulbinella in South Africa. 1999. P.L. Perry. ISBN 1-919795-46-4. OUT OF PRINT.
9. Cape plants. A conspectus of the Cape flora of South Africa. 2000. P. Goldblatt & J.C. Manning.
ISBN 0-620-26236-2.
10. Seed plants of southern Africa: families and genera. 2000. O.A. Leistner (ed.). ISBN 1-919795-51-0.
11. The Cape genus Lachnaea (Thymelaeaceae): a monograph. 2001. J.B.P. Beyers. ISBN 1-919795-52-9.
12. The Global Taxonomy Initiative: documenting the biodiversity of Africa / L’Initiative Taxonomique
Mondiale: documenter la biodiversité en Afrique. R.R. Klopper, G.F. Smith & A.C. Chikuni (eds). 2001.
ISBN 1-919795-63-4. OUT OF PRINT.
13. Medicinal and magical plants of southern Africa: an annotated checklist. 2002. T.H. Arnold,
C.A. Prentice, L.C. Hawker, E.E. Snyman, M. Tomalin, N.R. Crouch & C. Pottas-Bircher.
ISBN 1-919795-62-6.
14. Plants of southern Africa: an annotated checklist. 2003. G. Germishuizen & N.L. Meyer (eds).
ISBN 1-919795-99-5.
15. Heyday of the gymnosperms: systematics and biodiversity of the Late Triassic Molteno fructifications.
2003. J.M. Anderson & H.M. Anderson. ISBN 1-919795-98-7.
16. Common names of Karoo plants. 2004. L. Powrie. ISBN 1-874907-16-1.
17. National Spatial Biodiversity Assessment 2004: priorities for biodiversity conservation in South Africa.
2005. A. Driver, K. Maze, M. Rouget, A.T. Lombard, J. Nel, J.K. Turpie, R.M. Cowling, P. Desmet,
P. Goodman, J. Harris, Z. Jonas, B. Reyers, K. Sink & T. Strauss. ISBN 1-919976-20-5.
18. A revision of the southern African genus Babiana, Iridaceae: Crocoideae. 2007. P. Goldblatt &
J.C. Manning. ISBN-10: 1-919976-32-9, ISBN-13: 978-1-919976-32-7.
19. The vegetation of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. 2006. L. Mucina & M.C. Rutherford (eds).
ISBN-10: 1-919976-21-3, ISBN-13: 978-1-919976-21-1.
20. Brief history of the gymnosperms: classification, biodiversity, phytogeography and ecology. 2007.
J.M. Anderson, H.M. Anderson & C.J. Cleal. ISBN 978-1-919976-39-6.
21. Molteno ferns: Late Triassic biodiversity in southern Africa. 2008. H.M. Anderson & J.M. Anderson.
ISBN 978-1-919976-36-5.
22. Plants of Angola / Plantas de Angola. 2008. E. Figueiredo & G.F. Smith. ISBN 978-1-919976-45-7.
23. Synopsis of the Lycopodiophyta and Pteridophyta of Africa, Madagascar and neighbouring islands. 2009.
J.P. Roux. ISBN 978-1-919976-48-8.
24. Historical plant incidence in southern Africa. 2009. C.J. Skead. ISBN 978-1-919976-53-2.
25. Red List of South African plants 2009. 2009. D. Raimondo, L. von Staden, W. Foden, J.E. Victor,
N.A. Helme, R.C. Turner, D.A. Kamundi & P.A. Manyama (eds). ISBN 978-1-919976-52-5.
26. Botanical exploration of southern Africa, edn 2. 2010. H.F. Glen & G. Germishuizen.
ISBN 978-1-919976-54-9.
27. Botany and horticulture of the genus Freesia (Iridaceae). 2010. J.C. Manning & P. Goldblatt.
ISBN 978-1-919976-58-7.
28. The aloe names book. 2011. O.M. Grace, R.R. Klopper, E. Figueiredo & G.F. Smith.
ISBN 978-1-919976-64-8.
29. Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region 1: the Core Cape flora. 2012. J. Manning & P. Goldblatt.
ISBN 978-1-919976-74-7.
30. Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region 2: the Extra Cape flora. 2013. D.A. Snijman (ed.).
ISBN 978-1-919976-77-8.
31. Guide to plant families of southern Africa. 2013. M. Koekemoer, H.M. Steyn & S.P. Bester.
ISBN 978-1-919976-83-9.
32. Systematics and biology of the Cape genus Sparaxis (Iridaceae). 2013. P. Goldblatt & J. Manning.
ISBN 978-1-919976-89-1.
33. Vegetation Field Atlas of Continental South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. 2014. L. Mucina,
M.C. Rutherford, L.W. Powrie, A. van Niekerk & J.H. van der Merwe (eds). ISBN: 978-1-919976-97-6.
34. The Apocynaceae of Namibia. 2014. P.V. Bruyns. ISBN: 978-1-919976-98-3.
35. Systematics and biology of Lapeirousia, Codonorhiza, Psilosiphon & Schizorhiza in southern Africa.
2015. P. Goldblatt & J.C. Manning. ISBN 978-1-928224-02-0.
36. Identification guide to southern African grasses. An identification manual with keys, descriptions and
distributions. 2015. L. Fish, A.C. Mashau, M.J. Moeaha & M.T. Nembudani.
ISBN 978-1-928224-00-6.
37. Beeplants of South Africa. Sources of nectar, pollen, honeydew and propolis for honeybees. 2016.
M.F. Johannsmeier. ISBN 978-1-928224-17-4.
38. Plants of the Free State: inventory and identification guide. 2017. E. Retief & N.L. Meyer.
ISBN 978-1-928224-15-0.
39. A taxonomic revision of Calobota (Fabaceae, Crotalarieae). 2018. J.S. Boatwright, P.M. Tilney &
B-E van Wyk. ISBN: 978-1-928224-27-3.
40. Systematics of Drimia Jacq. (Hyacinthaceae: Urgineoideae) in southern Africa. 2018. J.C. Manning &
P. Goldblatt. ISBN 978-1-928224-25-9.
41. A Flora of the Eastern Cape Province. Volume 1–3. 2019. C.L. Bredenkamp.
ISBN 978-1-928224-28-0.
42. Iridaceae of southern Africa. P. Goldblatt & J.C. Manning. 2020. ISBN 978-1-928224-35-8.
43. A monograph on the genus Cliffortia. C.M. Whitehouse. 2021. ISBN 978-1-928224-44-0.
44. Photographic guide to the wild flowers of the Limpopo Province. S. Kremer-Köhne. 2021.
ISBN 978-1-928224-53-2.
Enquiries
SANBI Bookshop, South African National Biodiversity Institute, Private Bag X101, Pretoria, 0001 South Africa.
Tel. +27 12 843 5000 • E-mail: sanbibookshop@sanbi.org.za • Website: www.sanbi.org

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S T R E L I T Z I A 44

Photographic guide to the

School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences,

A peer-reviewed publication of the

EDITOR: Alicia Grobler

This publication (see recommended citation above) is defined and

Eucomis sonnetteana. Artist: Gill Condy.

The South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . viii

How to use this book. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Quick guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300

Funding: SANBI and SAEON.

South African Environmental Observation Network

SAEON is entrenched in a global network of partners working to understand environmental change in

Some of the early plant collectors and

Geology and climate

1 Soutpansberg sandstone, quartzite 1 747 700

3 Waterberg 2 088 710

4 Woodbush Plateau granite, greenstone 1 800 1 200

5 Wolkberg quartzite, dolerite, dolomite 2 126 970

6 Strydpoort Mountains sandstone, quartzite, shale 2 036 690

7 Leolo Mountains norite, pyroxenite 1 932 690

Wolkberg Centre of Endemism: grass-

Sekhukhuneland Centre of Endemism:

Soutpansberg Centre of Endemism:

HOW TO USE THIS BOOK

Template for species descriptions

C. obtusiflorus var. flavissimus (Schrad.) Boeck. (= C. sphaerocephalus) 4

1. Colour section. 8. Provincial distribution:

AGAPANTHACEAE (agapanthus family)

AIZOACEAE (ice plant family)

ALLIACEAE (onion family)

AMARANTHACEAE (amaranth family)

AMARYLLIDACEAE (amaryllis family)

ANACAMPSEROTACEAE (haaskos family)

ANACARDIACEAE (wild currant family)

ANTHERICACEAE (spider-lily family)

APIACEAE (carrot family)

APOCYNACEAE (milkweed family)

APONOGETONACEAE (Cape pondweed family)

ARACEAE (arum lily family)

ASPARAGACEAE (asparagus family)

ASPHODELACEAE (aloe family)

ASTERACEAE (daisy family)

BEGONIACEAE (begonia family)

BORAGINACEAE (borage family)

BRASSICACEAE (cabbage family)

CAMPANULACEAE (bell flower family)

CAPPARACEAE (caper family)

CAPRIFOLIACEAE (honeysuckle family)

CARYOPHYLLACEAE (carnation family)

CELASTRACEAE (spike-thorn family)

CLEOMACEAE (beeplant family)

COLCHICACEAE (colchicum family)

COMMELINACEAE (dayflower family)

CONVOLVULACEAE (morning glory family)

CRASSULACEAE (stonecrop family)

CUCURBITACEAE (cucumber family)

CYPERACEAE (sedge family)

DIPSACACEAE (scabious family)

DROSERACEAE (sundew family)

EBENACEAE (ebony family)

ERICACEAE (erica family)

ERIOCAULACEAE (pipewort family)