Sansevieria pearsonii

Common name: spiky Mother-in-law's tongue

Family: Ruscaceae

Origin: South Africa

Plant description: an evergreen, sculptural succulent (fan-like) that can reach 1 metre tall. The leaves are spike-like and cylindrical. It produces a terminal spike-like cluster of creamy pinkish, fragrant flowers that open at night after the large orange berries that birds eat.

Use: it is a great indoor plant, a good container plant outdoors in a water-wise garden and rockery. 

Light and position: It grows best in shade, semi-shade and full sun. 

Water requirements: Water-wise, avoid over-watering as it does not tolerate standing water.

Special care: Make sure to handle the plant carefully because of its pointy leaves.

Pest and disease: root rot.

Propagation: take cuttings or divide the plant at any time of the year. 

Common leaf problems

 

Propagating Cysticapnos vesicaria

This plant grows on sandy flats and slopes, and it climbs between bushes. It can grow in full sun as well as light shade. It is best suited for water-wise gardens. Even though it is not long-lived, it produces beautiful flowers when it blooms.

Propagate from seeds: 

• Sow seeds in autumn.
• Plant seeds in a seedling tray filled with well-draining soil.
• Spread sand lightly over seeds.
• Until the seeds germinate, they must be placed in a light-filled room.
• Germination occurs quickly in one to two weeks. 

 

Cysticapnos vesicaria

Scientific name: Cysticapnos vesicaria
Family: Fumariaceae
Common name: Klappertjies

Plant Description

Cysticapnos vesicaria is an annual vine with a greyish bloom. There are usually ten-drilled leaves with 3-lobed leaflets found in wedge shapes with racemes of 2 lipped flowers. It has pink flowers with broad winglike petals; flaring petals 10mm long. The flowers blossom from August to October. As a result, swollen balloon-like fruits develop, looking smoky pink-grey. The seeds are tiny and lenticular, with a shiny black testa. Cysticapnos comes from the Greek cystis, meaning bladder, and capnos, meaning swollen or bladder-like capsules. 

Growing and maintenance of Cysticapnos vesicaria

This plant grows on sandy flats and slopes, and it climbs between bushes. It can grow in full sun as well as light shade. It is best suited for water-wise gardens. Even though it is not long-lived, it produces beautiful flowers when it blooms.

Propagate from seeds: 

• Sow seeds in autumn.
• Plant seeds in a seedling tray filled with well-draining soil.
• Spread sand lightly over seeds.
• Until the seeds germinate, they must be placed in a light-filled room.
• Germination occurs quickly in one to two weeks. 

Ledebouria socialis

Common name: silver African hyacinth
Family: Hyacinthaceae
Origin: South Africa

Plant description: red above ground bulbs proliferate in dense colonies to form densely gregarious, dwarf, bulbous plants in dense colonies. The leaves are lanceolate to triangular, with a silver background colour, adorned with green to brown spots on the upper side.  The underneath is green to purple; the leaf colour and markings are highly variable. There are usually between 10 and 30 florets on erect flower spikes; each floret is attached to the peduncle by a short stalk. It has small greenish purple, pink flowers from July to November sometimes December. 
Use: as an indoor plant, as a ground cover in rockeries, hanging baskets and pots. It thrives indoors and outdoors.
Light and position: it tolerates semi-shade.
Water requirements: moderate watering 
Special care: sufficient sunlight, does not need a lot of attention.

Pest and disease: bacterial rot.

Propagation: by division and by sowing fresh seeds..

Edible plants found at UWC Nature Reserve

 

Propagating Conicosia pugioniformis

 Propagate Conicosia pugioniformis from seeds sown in late autumn or early winter.

• Collect seeds when they are ripe.
• Place seeds in a seedling tray filled with a well-drained medium such as sand.
• Spread compost or sand lightly over seeds.
• Seeds must be placed in a room with enough light until germination takes place.
• They normally germinate in two to three weeks.
• Once true leaves begin to appear, pot seedlings into moist but well-draining soil.