5 Gomphostigma virgatum Seeds - River Star - Indigenous Evergreen Shrub - ENORMOUS RANGE

Gomphostigma virgatum Seeds

River Star, Otterbush; Besembossie

Gomphostigma virgatum is a beautiful, evergreen, perennial shrub that can grow up to 2,6m high. It has slender, flexible, silvery gray branches. Leaves are oppositely arranged, simple and narrowly shaped. It makes a stunning show when covered in white scented flowers during summer (December and January). The name Gomphostigma comes from the Greek gomphos, a club referring the club shaped-shaped stigma; and virgatum means willowy or twiggy. The river star occurs along rivers and watercourses throughout South Africa, including Zimbabwe. It is one of those plants that will grow with their roots at the edge of a stream. Gomphostigma virgatum is used traditionally to restore strength to a very tired person. Serviceable brooms are made from the longer twigs, which are cut before the flowers appear. It is also browsed down by stock. Birds apparently use the juvenile branches for nest building because of their flexibility. This plant is a specific host for an endemic dodder (Cuscuta sp.) which is a curious plant parasite.