Veldkos

Veldkool, Bokkool, Hotnotskool (Afr.)

Trachyandra falcata is a tuberous perennial that grows along the west coast of South Africa from the West Coast National Park near Saldanha to the Richtersveld and into Namibia.

Planning

Difficulty

Moderate

Flowering time

Winter, Spring

Fruiting time

Autumn

Harvesting

Pick flowers when still closed and use within a day.

Propagation

Seed

The plants selfseed, but can be sown in autumn; scatter seeds and wet thoroughly only once.

Geography

Origin

Africa, South African West Coast, Southern Namibia.

Natural climate

Arid

Environment

Light

Full Sun

Soil moisture

Dry

Soil type

Clay, Sand

Soil PH preference

Neutral

Frost hardiness

Half-Hardy

Uses

Edible

The flower stalk is eaten, prepared as for a brassica (cabbages).

Personality

Family

Asphodelaceae

Flower colour

, White

Scent

None

Problems

Rots when kept too wet.

Root Rot

Phytophthora spp.

Companion plants

Grow with plants that have similar water requirements and annuals from the same area.

Terracotta Gazania

Gazania krebsiana