Scientific name: Ruschia
macowanii (L. Bolus) Schwanites
Family: AIZOACEAE
Common name: magenta purple
vygie/ Pers vygiebos
Plant Description
Every coastal
garden deserves to have this round succulent bush covered in purple-pink
flowers. Ruschia macowanii is a spreading
shrub up to 20 cm tall and 50 cm across or more. It does not root at the nodes.
It has hard, fleshy dull green leaves and a cluster of purple-pink flowers that
appear from August to October. The fruit has five chambers that once they are
ripe will open when they become wet.
The genus Ruschia
was named in honour of a Namibian farmer by the name Ernst Julius Rusch
(1867 – 1957).
Growing
and maintenance of Ruschia macowanii
It requires
well-drained soil, full sun and very little watering. It thrives in most soil
types but too much water will cause root rot. It is ideal for rockery, mixed
beds, embankments as well as containers. It is water-wise and suitable for
coastal gardens.
Ruschia
macowanii can be propagated from seed or by means of cuttings.
Heel cuttings can be taken from spring to autumn. To encourage rooting cuttings
can be dipped into rooting hormone powder and plant them into river sand.
Cuttings can also be placed in a cool spot and kept moist.
The UWC Cape Flats Indigenous Nursery grows Ruschia macowanii.
References
Manning, J. 2007, Field Guide to Fynbos, Random
House Struik (Pty) Ltd, Cape Town
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