Xerophyta retinervis

Xerophyta retinervis 

Family: Velloziaceae

Common names: Monkeys Tail

It is a fascinating plant with blackened stems in the winter months but totally transformed in the early summer when covered with masses of pink flowers, especially after fire. It can grow up to 1.8 m high with thick, branched stems densely covered with closely packed, fibrous, persistent leaf bases.

Sowing instructions: Sow into a seedling mix that can hold water and place the seedling tray in a container of water. Germination takes two to four weeks, and seedlings should be left to become rootbound, and then divided just before the second growing season.

Locality: Haenertsburg. Harvest: June 2024