Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Fabaceae

Genus:

Aspalathus

Species:

Aspalathus serpens

Growth Characteristics

Growth Habit:

Shrub

Height:

30 cm

Drought Tolerance:

High

Bloom Months:

sep,oct,nov

Bloom Colors:

yellow

Ground Cover:

Yes

Evergreen Shrub:

Yes

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:

bees, native pollinators

Deer Resistant:

Yes

Fire Ecology:

Requires fire for germination

Fire Notes:

Fire-dependent species with seeds requiring heat or smoke for germination. Resprouts vigorously after fire from persistent rootstock, typical of Cape fynbos legumes.

Propagation & Germination

Scarification:

Seed coat scarification required before sowing

Germination Time:

14–45 days

Notes:

Seeds require scarification or smoke treatment to break dormancy. Germination enhanced by exposure to smoke water, typical of fynbos species.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI