Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Fabaceae

Genus:

Aspalathus

Species:

Aspalathus variegata

Growth Characteristics

Growth Habit:

Subshrub

Height:

100 cm

Drought Tolerance:

High

Bloom Months:

aug,sep,oct,nov

Bloom Colors:

yellow, red

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:

Germination strongly stimulated by smoke and heat from fire. Part of the fire-adapted fynbos vegetation with seeds released and germinating prolifically after burns.

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:

None required

Scarification:

Seed coat scarification required before sowing

Germination Time:

14–42 days

Notes:

Smoke treatment or smoke-water significantly improves germination rates. Seeds benefit from scarification or hot water treatment before sowing.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI