South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI)
More information
Species source document
PlantZAfrica
The PlantZAfrica website (pza.sanbi.org) is an authoritative online resource dedicated to celebrating and providing information about the plants of southern Africa. It is run by the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) and is a valuable resource for gardeners, botanists, students, and anyone interested in the region's diverse flora.It was started in 2000 and accessed in 2025.
Content is developed by the horticultural and scientific staff of SANBI
Linked species
The following 148 species were imported from this document.
| Name | Form | Animals | Aspect | Habitats |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Common Hook-thorn Acacia
Acacia caffra |
Supports birds Supports mammals Supports butterflies Supports bees | Sun | Rocky habitat Soil: sandy | |
|
Common Hook-thorn Acacia
Acacia caffra |
Supports birds Supports mammals Supports butterflies Supports bees | Sun | Rocky habitat Soil: sandy | |
|
Sweet Thorn
Acacia karoo |
Supports birds Supports mammals Supports butterflies Supports bees | Sun | Rocky habitat | |
|
Splendid Thorn
Acacia robusta robusta |
Supports birds Supports mammals Supports butterflies Supports bees | Sun | Near water Rocky habitat | |
|
Paperbark Thorn
Acacia sieberiana woodii |
Supports birds Supports mammals Supports butterflies Supports bees | Sun | Near water | |
|
Umbrella Thorn
Acacia tortilis |
||||
|
Curly-Pod Acacia
Acacia tortilis heteracantha |
Supports mammals | Sun | Near water Rocky habitat Soil: sandy | |
|
Forest False Nettle
Acalypha glabrata glabrata |
||||
|
Bushmans poison
Acokanthera oppositifolia |
Supports birds | Sun Semi-shade | Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Bushmans poison
Acokanthera oppositifolia |
Supports birds | Sun Semi-shade | Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Velvet Rock-alder
Afrocanthium gilfillanii |
||||
|
Rock Alder
Afrocanthium mundianum |
||||
|
Kranz aloe
Aloe arborescens |
Supports birds Supports sunbirds Supports bees | Sun | Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
| Aloe greatheadii davyana | Supports birds Supports bees | Sun | Rocky habitat | |
|
Mountain Aloe
Aloe marlothii |
Supports birds Supports sunbirds Supports bees | Sun | Soil: clay Soil: loam | |
|
Mountain Aloe
Aloe marlothii marlothii |
Supports birds Supports mammals Supports bees | Sun | Rocky habitat | |
|
Grassveld Tree Fern
Alsophila dregei |
Shade Sun Semi-shade | Near water Soil: loam Soil: sandy | ||
|
Snowflake Grass
Andropogon eucomus |
||||
|
Stab Grass
Andropogon schirensis |
Rocky habitat | |||
|
White Pear
Apodytes dimidiata |
Supports bees | |||
|
Cats Whiskers
Becium obovatum |
||||
|
Red-Topped Signal Grass
Brachiaria serrata |
Sun Semi-shade | Near water Rocky habitat Soil: disturbed Soil: sandy | ||
|
Red-Topped Signal Grass
Brachiaria serrata |
Sun Semi-shade | Near water Rocky habitat Soil: disturbed Soil: sandy | ||
|
Mountain Silver-oak
Brachylaena rotundata |
Supports bees | Sun | Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
False olive
Buddleja saligna |
Supports birds Supports bees | Sun | Soil: loam | |
|
Cape Chestnut
Calodendrum capense |
Supports birds Supports butterflies Supports bees | Sun | Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Num-num
Carissa bispinosa |
Supports butterflies | Sun Semi-shade | Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
White Stinkwood
Celtis africana |
Supports birds Supports butterflies | Sun Semi-shade | Soil: sandy | |
|
Buffelgrass
Cenchrus ciliaris |
Supports grazers/browsers | Sun Semi-shade | Rocky habitat Soil: clay Soil: sandy | |
|
Rhodes Grass
Chloris gayana |
Supports grazers/browsers Supports birds | Sun Semi-shade | Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Feather Finger Grass
Chloris virgata |
Supports grazers/browsers Supports birds | Sun Semi-shade | Near water Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
River Bushwillow
Combretum erythrophyllum |
Supports birds | Sun | Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Velvet Bushwillow
Combretum molle |
Sun | |||
|
Southern Cabbagetree
Cussonia paniculata |
Supports birds | Sun | Soil: clay Soil: loam | |
|
Cabbage tree
Cussonia spicata |
Supports birds | Sun Semi-shade | Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Cabbage tree
Cussonia spicata |
Supports birds | Sun Semi-shade | Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Showy Blue Ear
Cyanotis speciosa |
Supports mammals Supports butterflies Supports bees | Sun Semi-shade | Rocky habitat Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Showy Blue Ear
Cyanotis speciosa |
Supports mammals Supports butterflies Supports bees | Sun Semi-shade | Rocky habitat Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Broad-leaved Turpentine Grass
Cymbopogon caesius |
Supports birds | Sun Semi-shade | Soil: sandy | |
|
Broad-leaved Turpentine Grass
Cymbopogon caesius |
Supports birds | Sun Semi-shade | Soil: sandy | |
|
Bermuda grass
Cynodon dactylon |
Supports grazers/browsers | Sun Semi-shade | Near water Rocky habitat Soil: clay Soil: disturbed Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Bermuda grass
Cynodon dactylon |
Supports grazers/browsers | Sun Semi-shade | Near water Rocky habitat Soil: clay Soil: disturbed Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Pompon tree
Dais cotinifolia |
Supports bees | Sun Semi-shade | Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Small-leaf Sicklebush
Dichrostachys cinerea africana |
Supports mammals Supports bees | Sun Semi-shade | Near water Rocky habitat Soil: clay Soil: sandy | |
|
Grassveld Karmedik
Dicoma anomala |
Sun Semi-shade | Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy | ||
|
Digitgrass
Digitaria eriantha |
Supports birds Supports mammals | Sun | Near water Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Digitgrass
Digitaria eriantha |
Supports birds Supports mammals | Sun | Near water Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Transvaal Bluebush
Diospyros lycioides guerkei |
||||
|
Bladder-nut
Diospyros whyteana |
Supports birds Supports bees | Shade | ||
|
Bladder-nut
Diospyros whyteana |
Supports birds Supports bees | Shade | ||
|
South African Wild Pear
Dombeya rotundifolia |
Supports birds Supports butterflies | Sun | Soil: loam | |
|
South African Wild Pear
Dombeya rotundifolia rotundifolia |
Supports birds Supports butterflies | Rocky habitat | ||
|
Wild Apricot
Dovyalis zeyheri |
Supports birds Supports butterflies | Sun | Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Puzzle Bush
Ehretia rigida |
Supports birds | Soil: sandy | ||
|
Cape-Lilac
Ehretia rigida nervifolia |
Supports birds Supports mammals Supports butterflies | Sun Semi-shade | ||
|
Broadpod Elephantroot
Elephantorrhiza burkei |
Supports birds Supports bees | Sun | Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Dwarf Elephantroot
Elephantorrhiza elephantina |
Supports bees | Sun | Rocky habitat Soil: sandy | |
|
Dwarf Elephantroot
Elephantorrhiza elephantina |
Supports bees | Sun | Rocky habitat Soil: sandy | |
|
Wire Grass
Elionurus muticus |
Supports birds | Sun Semi-shade | Rocky habitat Soil: sandy | |
|
Wire Grass
Elionurus muticus |
Supports birds | Sun Semi-shade | Rocky habitat Soil: sandy | |
|
Stamvrug
Englerophytum magalismontanum |
Supports birds Supports butterflies | Sun Semi-shade | Near water Rocky habitat Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Stamvrug
Englerophytum magalismontanum |
Supports birds Supports butterflies | Sun Semi-shade | Near water Rocky habitat Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Cape Love Grass
Eragrostis capensis |
Supports grazers/browsers Supports birds | Sun Semi-shade | Rocky habitat Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Blue Gwarrie
Euclea crispa crispa |
||||
|
Large-leaved rock fig
Ficus abutilifolia |
Sun | Soil: clay Soil: loam | ||
|
Large-leaved rock fig
Ficus abutilifolia |
Sun | Soil: clay Soil: loam | ||
|
Red-Leaved Fig
Ficus ingens |
Supports birds | Sun | Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Red-Leaved Fig
Ficus ingens |
Supports birds | Sun | Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Snowberrytree
Flueggea virosa |
Supports birds Supports butterflies | |||
|
Cross-berry Raisin
Grewia occidentalis |
Supports birds Supports mammals Supports butterflies Supports bees | Shade Sun Semi-shade | Rocky habitat Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Cross-berry Raisin
Grewia occidentalis |
Supports birds Supports mammals Supports butterflies Supports bees | Shade Sun Semi-shade | Rocky habitat Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Common Spikethorn
Gymnosporia buxifolia |
Supports birds Supports butterflies | Sun Semi-shade | Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Common Spikethorn
Gymnosporia buxifolia |
Supports birds Supports butterflies | Sun Semi-shade | Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Milk-ball
Halleria lucida |
Supports birds Supports sunbirds Supports bees | Sun Semi-shade | Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Caterpillar Grass
Harpochloa falx |
Supports grazers/browsers | Sun Semi-shade | Rocky habitat | |
|
Caterpillar Grass
Harpochloa falx |
Supports grazers/browsers | Sun Semi-shade | Rocky habitat | |
|
Parsleytree
Heteromorpha arborescens arborescens |
||||
|
Tanglehead
Heteropogon contortus |
Supports grazers/browsers | Sun Semi-shade | Rocky habitat Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Tanglehead
Heteropogon contortus |
Supports grazers/browsers | Sun Semi-shade | Rocky habitat Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Thatching Grass
Hyparrhenia hirta |
Supports grazers/browsers | Sun Semi-shade | Near water Rocky habitat Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Thatching Grass
Hyparrhenia hirta |
Supports grazers/browsers | Sun Semi-shade | Near water Rocky habitat Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Cogon Grass
Imperata cylindrica |
Supports birds Supports butterflies | Sun Semi-shade | Near water Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Wild Peach
Kiggelaria africana |
Supports birds Supports butterflies Supports bees | Shade Sun Semi-shade | Near water Rocky habitat Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Wild Peach
Kiggelaria africana |
Supports birds Supports butterflies Supports bees | Shade Sun Semi-shade | Near water Rocky habitat Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Live Long
Lannea discolor |
Supports birds | Sun | Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Live Long
Lannea discolor |
Supports birds | Sun | Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Ouhout
Leucosidea sericea |
Supports bees | Soil: clay Soil: sandy | ||
|
Bush Maerua
Maerua cafra |
Supports birds | Shade Sun Semi-shade | Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Bush Maerua
Maerua cafra |
Supports birds | Shade Sun Semi-shade | Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Koko Tree
Maytenus undata |
Supports birds Supports bees | Sun Semi-shade | Soil: loam | |
|
Bristle-Leaved Red-Top Grass
Melinis nerviglumis |
Sun Semi-shade | Rocky habitat Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy | ||
|
Natal grass
Melinis repens |
Supports birds Supports bees | Sun | Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Natal grass
Melinis repens repens |
Supports grazers/browsers Supports birds Supports bees | Sun Semi-shade | Soil: disturbed | |
|
Boat Grass
Monocymbium ceresiiforme |
Sun Semi-shade | Near water Rocky habitat Soil: sandy | ||
|
Boat Grass
Monocymbium ceresiiforme |
Sun Semi-shade | Near water Rocky habitat Soil: sandy | ||
|
Cork Bush
Mundulea sericea |
Supports birds Supports sunbirds Supports butterflies Supports bees | Sun | Soil: sandy | |
|
Cork Bush
Mundulea sericea sericea |
Supports birds Supports mammals Supports butterflies Supports bees | Sun Semi-shade | Near water Rocky habitat Soil: sandy | |
|
African Boxwood
Myrsine africana |
Supports birds Supports butterflies | Sun Semi-shade | Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Kooboo-berry
Mystroxylon aethiopicum |
Supports birds Supports bees | Sun Semi-shade | Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Highveld Koobooberry
Mystroxylon aethiopicum burkeanum |
||||
|
Brittlewood
Nuxia congesta |
Supports birds Supports butterflies | Sun | Soil: clay Soil: sandy | |
|
Brittlewood
Nuxia congesta |
Supports birds Supports butterflies | Sun | Soil: clay Soil: sandy | |
|
Cats Whiskers
Ocimum obovatum obovatum |
Supports butterflies | Sun Semi-shade | ||
|
African Olive
Olea europaea africana |
Supports birds Supports mammals Supports butterflies Supports bees | Sun Semi-shade | Near water Rocky habitat Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
African Olive
Olea europaea africana |
Supports birds Supports mammals Supports butterflies Supports bees | Sun Semi-shade | Near water Rocky habitat Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Olive
Olea europaea europaea |
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|
Mountain Hardpear
Olinia emarginata |
Supports birds Supports bees | Sun | Soil: sandy | |
|
American Royal Fern
Osmunda regalis |
Shade Sun Semi-shade | Near water In water Rocky habitat Soil: clay Soil: loam | ||
|
African Sandalwood
Osyris lanceolata |
Supports birds Supports butterflies | Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy | ||
|
African Sandalwood
Osyris lanceolata |
Supports birds Supports butterflies | Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy | ||
|
Bushveld Ozoroa
Ozoroa paniculosa |
Sun | Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy | ||
|
Bushveld Ozoroa
Ozoroa paniculosa |
Sun | Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy | ||
|
Jacket plum
Pappea capensis |
Supports birds Supports butterflies | Sun | Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Jacket plum
Pappea capensis |
Supports birds Supports butterflies | Sun | Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Hairy Bride's Bush
Pavetta gardeniifolia subtomentosa |
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|
Weeping wattle
Peltophorum africanum |
Supports bees | Sun | Rocky habitat Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Weeping wattle
Peltophorum africanum |
Supports bees | Sun | Rocky habitat Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
| Pentanisia prunelloides latifolia | Supports butterflies | Sun Semi-shade | ||
|
Cape Cheesewood
Pittosporum viridiflorum |
Supports birds | Sun | Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Cape Cheesewood
Pittosporum viridiflorum |
Supports birds | Sun | Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Common Protea
Protea caffra caffra |
||||
|
Wild Gardenia
Rothmannia capensis |
Sun Semi-shade | Soil: loam Soil: sandy | ||
|
Wild Gardenia
Rothmannia capensis |
Sun Semi-shade | Soil: loam Soil: sandy | ||
|
Crimson Bluestem
Schizachyrium sanguineum |
Supports grazers/browsers | Sun Semi-shade | Rocky habitat | |
|
Thorn Pear
Scolopia zeyheri |
||||
|
African Sumac
Searsia lancea |
Supports birds Supports mammals Supports bees | Sun Semi-shade | Near water In water Rocky habitat Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
African Sumac
Searsia lancea |
Supports birds Supports mammals Supports bees | Sun Semi-shade | Near water In water Rocky habitat Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Mountain Karree
Searsia leptodictya |
Supports birds Supports mammals | Sun Semi-shade | Rocky habitat Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Mountain Karree
Searsia leptodictya |
Supports birds Supports mammals | Sun Semi-shade | Rocky habitat Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Ribbed Kunirhus
Searsia pallens |
||||
|
Firethorn Rhus
Searsia pyroides gracilis |
Supports birds Supports mammals | Sun Semi-shade | Near water Rocky habitat | |
|
Mountain Firethorn Crowberry
Searsia pyroides integrifolia |
Supports birds Supports mammals | Sun Semi-shade | Near water Rocky habitat | |
|
Common currant-rhus
Searsia pyroides pyroides |
Supports birds Supports mammals | Sun Semi-shade | Near water Rocky habitat | |
|
Hooked Bristle Grass
Setaria verticillata |
Supports grazers/browsers | Shade Sun Semi-shade | Soil: loam | |
|
Parramatta Grass
Sporobolus africanus |
Supports birds | Sun Semi-shade | Near water Soil: clay Soil: disturbed Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Parramatta Grass
Sporobolus africanus |
Supports birds | Sun Semi-shade | Near water Soil: clay Soil: disturbed Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Kangaroo Grass
Themeda triandra |
Supports grazers/browsers Supports birds | Sun Semi-shade | Near water Rocky habitat Soil: clay Soil: sandy | |
|
Kangaroo Grass
Themeda triandra |
Supports grazers/browsers Supports birds | Sun Semi-shade | Near water Rocky habitat Soil: clay Soil: sandy | |
|
Wild-Medlar
Vangueria infausta |
Supports birds Supports butterflies | Shade Sun Semi-shade | Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Wild-Medlar
Vangueria infausta |
Supports birds Supports butterflies | Shade Sun Semi-shade | Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Wild-Medlar
Vangueria infausta infausta |
||||
|
Smooth Sourplum
Ximenia caffra caffra |
Supports birds Supports mammals Supports butterflies | Sun Semi-shade | Rocky habitat | |
|
Small knobwood
Zanthoxylum capense |
Supports birds Supports butterflies | Sun | Soil: loam | |
|
Small knobwood
Zanthoxylum capense |
Supports birds Supports butterflies | Sun | Soil: loam | |
|
Buffalo-thorn
Ziziphus mucronata |
Supports birds Supports mammals Supports butterflies Supports bees | Sun Semi-shade | Near water Rocky habitat Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Buffalo-thorn
Ziziphus mucronata |
Supports birds Supports mammals Supports butterflies Supports bees | Sun Semi-shade | Near water Rocky habitat Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Dwarf Buffalothorn
Ziziphus zeyheriana |
Supports birds Supports butterflies Supports bees | Sun | Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Dwarf Buffalothorn
Ziziphus zeyheriana |
Supports birds Supports butterflies Supports bees | Sun | Soil: loam Soil: sandy |