Coast Metalasia
Metalasia muricata
White Bristle Bush, Blombos, Witsteekbossie, Steekbos (Afr.)
1 of 5
1 of 5
This species of fynbos is a tough, hardy shrub with honey-scented flowers. It is a great addition to any waterwise garden. The sweet-smelling flowers attract honeybees and sunbirds. It is commonly planted on sanddunes to prevent erosion.
ZA Distribution: Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape.
Free download for your phone or tablet
Related Plants
Planning
Difficulty
Easy
Flowering time
Winter, Spring
Fruiting time
Summer, Autumn
Harvesting
Harvest seeds during summer months when they are ready to naturally disperse. Harvest ornamental flowers during winter.
Propagation
Seed
Sow during autumn months. Space seeds 3 m apart. Sow to a depth 1.5 times deeper than the size of the seed. Germination should take place within 2 months.
Special features
Attracts useful insects
Honeybees feed off the nectar that is produced by the flowers.
Attracts birds
Sunbirds are attracted by the nectar that is produced by the flowers.
Drought resistant
Attractive flowers
Attracts bees
Pioneer
Special features
Origin
South Africa
Natural climate
Temperate coastal plains and mountains.
Environment
Light
Full Sun
Soil moisture
Moist
Soil type
Loam, Sand
Soil PH preference
Acid, Neutral
Frost hardiness
Tender
Uses
Medicinal
Dried leaves are used by the people of Lesotho to make traditional teas.
Ornamental
A hardy shrub for the garden with sweet smelling flowers.
Personality
Family
Asteraceae
Flower colour
Pink, Cream, White
Scent
Mild
Problems
Generally problem free.
Companion plants
Credits
Metalasia muricata
Love plants? So do we.
Download the app to see more photos from the Candide community.
by Phakamani m'Afrika Xaba, Harold Porter National Botanical Garden, December 2004 (Copyright South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa)
Free download for your phone or tablet
Knowledge and advice
Search our ever-growing knowledge base to find plants and information. Find out about pests and diseases you should be keeping an eye out for. Watch How to videos or follow step by step guides for tasks in the garden.
Free download for your phone or tablet.