Description
Hermannia hyssopifolia (Malvaceae) eight-day healing bush (Eng.); pokkiesblom, agtdaegeneesbossie (Afr.). It is an upright to rounded shrub between 0.3 and 1.2 m tall, with multiple, long, slender stems. The young stems are purple and hairy, and older stems are reddish. The small leaves, 10-20 mm, are oblong, a pale grey-green, slightly furry and toothed at the tips. Flowers appear in loose clusters at the ends of short side branches. The flower is attractive and quite fascinating: the calyx is swollen into a small, hairy balloon, 70-10 mm, with five small, lemon-yellow petals attached at the mouth in a neat, tight circle. Flowering time is spring. Sow seeds in autumn in a well drained medium. Locality: Kareedouw. Harvest: December 2021
