Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Fabaceae

Genus:

Aspalathus

Species:

Aspalathus chortophila

Growth Characteristics

Growth Habit:

Shrub , Shrub

Height:

100 cm

Drought Tolerance:

High

Bloom Months:

aug,sep,oct

Bloom Colors:

yellow

Evergreen Shrub:

Yes

Landscaping Shrub:

Yes

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:

bees, native pollinators

Deer Resistant:

Yes

Fire Ecology:

Requires fire for germination

Fire Notes:

Seeds require fire-related cues (heat or smoke) for germination. Plants resprout vigorously after fire, typical of Cape fynbos ecosystems with frequent fire cycles.

Propagation & Germination

Scarification:

Seed coat scarification required before sowing

Germination Time:

14–60 days

Notes:

Seeds benefit from smoke treatment or heat scarification to break dormancy, typical of fynbos legumes. Sow in well-drained, acidic medium.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI