Rough-skinned Bush Cherry (Maerua juncea crustata)

Family Capparaceae

A scrambling bush/vine which has very few leaves on the stems.

 Leaves eaten by game and although the fruit said to be edible, it does not taste very nice.

 

 

Cross Berry (Grewia occidentalis)

FamilyMalvaceae

 A shrub or small tree up to 6m in height.

 The wood is made into assegai handles by the Xhosa while Bushmen use it to fashion their bows.

 The Zulus dress wounds with the bruised bark which has been soaked in hot water and a decoction of the plant is taken to facilitate childbirth.

 It is also a remedy for impotence and bareness.

Info: Trees of Southern Africa (Palgrave)

Impela (Justicia flava)

Family Acanthaceae

 This is an interesting species of Justicia and a member of the broad Acanthaceae family of plants. Its natural habitat includes India and tropical east Africa. It is sometimes called the white shrimp plant or squirrel's tail.

 Its blooms are held in slim upright spires and are comprised of papery, green-veined white bracts enclosing pale pink flowers. It is very effective grown with white-variegated foliage plants nearby.

 It grows to around 1 m in height. It needs to be cut back hard in late winter and tip-pruned as it grows through spring and early summer, to promote a compact shape, otherwise it can become leggy. It grows well in part shade and can tolerate dry soil.

 Flowers in February, March.

Candelabra Tree (Euphorbia ingens)

Family Euphorbiaceae

These trees are huge and can grow up to 10m in height.

 The latex is toxic and can cause intense irritation and blistering to the skin. If it comes into contact with the eyes,  temporary or even permanent blindness can result.

Info: Trees of Southern Africa (Palgrave)

Honey Euryops (Euryops virgineus)

Family Asteraceae

Many collectors of South African plants have raved about this attractive plant and J.D. Keet, who collected a specimen as early as 1918 in the Knysna District, said this 'showy shrub would be suitable for borders or hedges in gardens'. The species name virgineus comes from the Latin word virgo meaning virgin, untouched-certainly descriptive of the plant in full flower growing in its natural habitat. The flowers last well in a vase and will brighten a dull, cold winter's day!

 Distribution
Euryops virgineus is endemic to southern Africa and occurs naturally in the southern coastal areas from Bredasdorp in Western Cape to Alexandria in Eastern Cape, often at low altitudes. It extends inland into the Swartberg Mountains to about 1 200 m. It is found in fynbos on mountain sides, sandy hill slopes, roadsides and sometimes on limestone. It also grows in karroid scrub and in grassland.

 Ecology and uses
The sweetly scented flowers are visited by swarms of honey-bees which are obviously responsible for the pollination of the florets. The fruits (cypselas) are not adapted for any special distribution mechanism and they will fall close to the mother plant. They could be carried away by a strong wind, heavy rain or insects.

Info: http://www.plantzafrica.com/

Grassland Indigofera (Indigofera hilaris)

Family Fabaceae

Also known as Red Indigo Bush.

This is a small bush up to 40cm in height and flowers profusely after fires.

The names comes from the blue dye extracted from it in India.

Info:

http://www.operationwildflower.org.za/index.php/plant-records/herbs/140-indigofera-hilaris?showall=&start=1

Africana Wild Mango (Cordyla africana)

Family Papilionoideae

 A huge tree growing up to 25m in height and occurring in hot areas of SA.

 The fruit have a high vitamin C content and although edible, to me it did not taste very nice. It can be eaten raw or cooked.

The heartwood is hard and used for building and also making drums.