The Little Hanger

Tags

Cape Floristic Region, Cape Town, environment, Erica plukenetii, Flowers, South African endemic plant, Sugar-bird, Sunbirds

The little Hanger
(Erica Plukenetii)

Its Afrikaans common name, hangertjie, means ‘the little hanger’, and is thought to come from the way the sunbirds and sugarbirds appear to ‘hang’ from the flowers while feeding on the nectar.

Erica plukenetii is a common species that is found on mountain slopes throughout most of the Cape Floristic Region.

Paintbrush Lily

Tags

bulb, Flowers, garden, Lily Bulb, Paintbrush, Paintbrush lily, Scadoxus puniceus, South African endemic plant, Sunbirds

Paintbrush Lily Bulb shooting

Paintbrush 10 days further on

Flowers forming

Close up of flower

The Paintbrush Lily (Scadoxis puniceus) is one of South Africa’s most spectacular bulbous plants.

The large underground bulbs may be up to 10cm across and have a short thick stem at the base from which numerous fleshy roots arise. The plants are dormant in winter and use the large bulbs and roots to store moisture during this period.

In spring and early summer the Scadoxus puniceus bears large dense heads (inflorescences) up to 15cm across consisting of numerous smaller scarlet flowers with bright yellow anthers. The flower stalk may reach up to 50-60cm and is often spotted with purple near the base. The inflorescences are borne within bracts which may be large and dark purplish red in colour. Sunbirds, weavers and other nectivorous birds feed on the nectar produced by the flowers.

Some cheer to brighten the cold and rainy day

Tags

aloe, aloe africana, bees, birds and bees, Flowers, garden, plants, pollination, South African endemic plant, south peninsula, succulent, Sunbirds

This magnificent Aloe africana has started it’s flowering season.

Aloe africana is a very attractive aloe from the Eastern Cape which adapts to a wide range of conditions. Aloes are characteristic of the African continent where most species occur, but are also found on islands close to Africa such as Madagascar and other adjacent regions such as the Arabian Peninsula. Due to their strong architectural features, beautiful flowers and ease of growth, they are popular all over the world, but mainly grown in subtropical and warm temperate regions. In colder climates plants are grown as house plants or in conservatories.

It grows to a height of 2 meters and is a solitary standing feature plant.  The nectar is sweet and a particular favourite of the Sun-birds and Bees who pollinate as well.

Aloe Africana is an ideal plant  as they prefer full sun and windy conditions.