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Xysmalobium undulatum

by Johan Wentzel

Xysmalobium undulatum
Common Name
Milk bush
Plant Type
Perennial
Xysmalobium undulatum is a robust geophytic herb, 0.5–2.0 m tall. It sprouts annually from a rootstock in spring. It is very important from en ecological perspective, since it is the host plant of many butterflies
Plant Description

Xysmalobium undulatum is a robust geophytic herb, 0.5–2.0 m tall. It sprouts annually from a rootstock in spring and dies back in winter. The hairy leaves are large, almost stalkless and heart-shaped. Many-flowered, stalked inflorescences develop in the axils of the leaves.  Flowers are cream-green to yellow;  the fruit is large, an inflated follicle, covered with long curly hairs. All parts of the plant exude a milky sap when damaged.

This unusual shrub normally occurs in seasonally damp areas.Xysmalobium undulatum is very important from en ecological perspective, since it is the host plant of many butterflies. Keep dry in winter.

Afrikaanse Naam
Bitterhout
Hardiness
Very hardy
Position
Sun
Water Requirements
Water wise
Evergreen
Deciduous
Growth Rate
Fast
Flowering Time
Early summer
Flower Colour
Yellow/green
Shape
Upright
Soil
Clay
Plant Size
1m
Region
Gauteng, Free State, Mpumalanga
Habitat
Grassland, Moist areas
Grown by Wildflower Nursery
Yes
  • Xysmalobium undulatum
  • Xysmalobium undulatum

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Johan – 082 801 1741
[email protected]

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