Botanical name |
Gomphostigma virgatum |
Other names |
River star; besembossie (Afrikaans); otterbossie (Afrikaans) |
Family |
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Dimensions |
A bushy, evergreen, perennial, branched shrub of up to about 2,5 m, growing on stream banks |
Description of stem |
Silvery grey and flexible branches, four-angled; |
Description of leaves |
Simple, narrow, opposite and stalkless with a connecting ridge and prominent midrib |
Description of flowers |
Many small white, scented flowers in summer, emerging from the axils of upper leaves; anthers have purple margins |
Desciption of seed/fruit |
Cylindric, two-lobed capsules |
Description of roots |
Easily settled in watery circumstances |
Variation |
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Propagation and cultivation |
Grown from semi-hardwood cuttings; planted in full sun where ample water supplies are stable; cut branches back before new spring growth |
Tolerances |
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Uses |
Used to make a medicine for combatting extreme fatigue; the twigs are used to make brooms; the plant is browsed by livestock |
Ecological rarity |
Common |
Pests and diseases |
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Other |
Gomphos = club (Greek), referring to the shape of the stigma; virgatum = twiggy |
Location |
Edges of streams and watercourses; among the bolders within rivers |
Distribution (SA provinces) |
Widespread through the eastern and southern parts of the country |
Country |
South Africa; Zimbabwe; Lesotho; Swaziland |
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Info (also) from www.plantzafrica.com |