Osyris compressa¿¿
15 seeds¿¿
"Cape sumach"
Osyris compressa is classified as a shrub although it can attain the size of a small bushy tree of 1-5 m in height.It is a partial parasite on the roots of plants.¿¿It is a hemiparasitic plant, in other words a plant that is capable of producing its own food (photosythesis) as well as utilizing nourishment from a suitable host plant by means of parasitism.¿¿
Flowers are either just male on one plant or hermaphroditic (can be male or female on the same plant). The flowers and fruits are produced erratically throughout the year.¿¿The fruits are highly decorative on the plant and are ellipsoid, fleshy, about 15 x 10 mm, becoming bright, shiny red and then purplish black. Fruits don't ripen all at once which is why these plants can be very attractive for long periods throughout the year. Fruits are edible.
Plants grow from seeds which fall to the ground. Seeds can be sown in situ (directly in the open garden), if there are other plants to serve as the hosts.
Plants do exceptionally well in coastal areas and are very tolerant of windy conditions. It is recommended as a seaside subject and plants form very effective small windbreaks provided there are enough host plants. They also attract birds and insects to the garden and do well with the other more common Coastal Fynbos vegetation from the Asteraceae, Rutaceae, Proteaceae, Anacardaceae.
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Postage is R24 for the first order, any amount of items, with a tracking number. Extra orders are combined for R1.