Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Fabaceae

Genus:

Aspalathus

Species:

Aspalathus spicata

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, other pollinators

Deer Resistant:

Yes

Fire Ecology:

Requires fire for germination

Fire Notes:

Seeds require smoke stimulation for germination, typical of Cape fynbos species. Plants resprout from rootstock after fire and show enhanced seedling recruitment post-burn.

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:

None required

Scarification:

Seed coat scarification required before sowing

Germination Time:

14–30 days

Notes:

Seeds respond to smoke treatment for germination. Scarification and smoke water application significantly improve germination rates.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI