Crassula ovata 'Gollum'

Common name: Shrek plant

Family: Crassulaceae

Origin: South Africa

Plant description: an evergreen, sturdy succulent shrub that can reach 1.2 metres tall. It has leaves that resemble Shrek's ears hence, the common name Shrek plant. The long tubular green leaves have reddish tips. In late winter to spring small pink star-shaped flowers are borne. 

Use: it can be used indoors and outdoors in rockeries, a water-wise garden, a bonsai and in pots.  

Light and position: it thrives in full sun and semi-shade. In the shade, it loses the reddish tips and becomes completely green. 

Water requirements: avoid overwatering as it does not like standing in water.

Special care: it needs a warm bright spot to thrive and well-draining soil.

Pest and disease: mealybugs and scale insects.

Propagation: using a stem and leaf cutting.

Seeds

 

Propagating Otholobium bracteolatum

 

Propagate Otholobium bracteolatum from seeds sown in autumn (March-May).

• Sow seeds in early autumn in well-composted bark, mixed with 15% sand.
• Place seeds in a seedling tray with a well-drained medium.
• Cover seeds lightly with medium and keep moist.
•  Seeds must be placed in a well-lit area.

Otholobium bracteolatum

Scientific name: Otholobium bracteolatum
Family: FABACEAE
Common name: skaapbostee

Plant Description 

A beautiful pea family sprawling shrub up to 2m tall. Skaapbostee has subsessile leaves, 3-foliolate with symmetrical leaflets which are glandular and wedge-shaped. The clusters of mauve (blue, white and violet) flowers are borne between November and April. 

Otholobium is derived from the Greek otheo meaning to 'burst forth' and lobion, meaning 'small pod'. The species name bracteolatum means 'with bracts'. 

Growing and maintenance of Otholobium bracteolatum

O. bracteolatum is widespread in moist places and occurs from Saldanha and Cape Town in the Western Cape to Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape. It grows both in coastal sandveld and limestone hills. It is drought-tolerant and suitable for xeriscaping, coastal and water-wise gardens. 

Grow O. bracteolatum in full sun, in well-drained, sandy acidic soil. It can be feed with compost. It attracts butterflies and provides food for honeybees

Propagate from cuttings and seeds sown in autumn (March-May).

Seeds

• Sow seeds in early autumn in well-composted bark, mixed with 15% sand.
• Place seeds in a seedling tray with a well-drained medium.
• Cover seeds lightly with medium and keep moist.
•  Seeds must be placed in a well-lit area.

Cuttings

• Take stem cuttings early in cool hours of the day.
• Take semi-hardwood cuttings from healthy plants.
• Remove the leaves from the lower third of the cutting.
• Dip cuttings into a rooting hormone and place into a tray filled with 50% fine-milled pine bark and 50% perlite.
• Place the trays in a propagation unit with overhead mist and bottom heating.
• Young cuttings must be watered well and kept under shade for about three to four weeks until hardened off, which after, they should be grown in full sunlight.

References:

Fernkloof.Otholobium bracteolatum. Online https://www.fernkloof.org.za/index.php/all-plants/plant-families/item/otholobium-bracteolatum. Accessed on 2021/04/07.

Manning, J. & Goldblatt, P. 2012. Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region 1: the Core Cape Flora. Strelitzia 29. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria.

Manning, J. 2007. Field guide to Fynbos. Struik Publishers, Cape Town.

Mdayi, N. 2015. Otholobium bracteolatum (Eckl. & Zeyh.) C.H.Stirt. PlantZAfrica.com. Online http://pza.sanbi.org/otholobium-bracteolatum. Accessed on 2021/03/23

Joffe, P. 2003. Easy Guide to Indigenous Shrubs. Briza Publications, Pretoria.

Manning, J. 2007. Field Guide to Fynbos, Random House Struik (Pty) Ltd, Cape Town.