Drosanthemum bicolor Seeds

Family: Aizoaceae (Vygie family)

Brilliant, vibrant, stunning, barely describe this vygie, which is one of the plants that makes the Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden in Worcester famous for its spring display.

The genus name Drosanthemum, was derived from the Greek words drosos, meaning dew and anthos meaning flower, describing the glittering water cells on the leaves of many species that resemble drops of dew.

Drosanthemum bicolor is a very colourful low-growing shrublet that grows to about 60 cm. The natural distribution is in the Western Cape, in the Worcester-Robertson Karoo and the Little Karoo. People from these areas refer to these plants as 'municipal workers' as their flowers open at around 9 a.m. and close around 5 p.m.

The Drosanthemum species are perhaps the most popular and spectacular of all garden mesembs. Few other plants can match the glowing intensity of a stand of these mesembs in full flower. They are fast-growing with small succulent leaves, and the scarlet, yellow or orange flowers bloom in spring to summer.