Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Fabaceae

Genus:

Aspalathus

Species:

Aspalathus spinifera

Growth Characteristics

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:

Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire

Fire Notes:

Resprouts vigorously after fire from root crown. Fire promotes flowering and seed germination in the fynbos ecosystem where this species evolved.

Propagation & Germination

Scarification:

Seed coat scarification required before sowing

Germination Time:

14–45 days

Notes:

Seeds benefit from smoke treatment or scarification to break dormancy, typical of fynbos legumes. Germination improved after fire or smoke water application.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI