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 | Wildlife | Aspect | Habitats |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Common Hook-thorn Acacia
Acacia caffra |
Birds Mammals Butterflies Bees | Sun | Rocky habitat Soil: sandy | |
|
Common Hook-thorn Acacia
Acacia caffra |
Birds Mammals Butterflies Bees | Sun | Rocky habitat Soil: sandy | |
|
Sweet Thorn
Acacia karoo |
Birds Mammals Butterflies Bees | Sun | Rocky habitat | |
|
Splendid Thorn
Acacia robusta robusta |
Birds Mammals Butterflies Bees | Sun | Near water Rocky habitat | |
|
Paperbark Thorn
Acacia sieberiana woodii |
Birds Mammals Butterflies Bees | Sun | Near water | |
|
Umbrella Thorn
Acacia tortilis |
||||
|
Curly-Pod Acacia
Acacia tortilis heteracantha |
Mammals | Sun | Near water Rocky habitat Soil: sandy | |
|
Forest False Nettle
Acalypha glabrata glabrata |
||||
|
Bushmans poison
Acokanthera oppositifolia |
Birds | Sun Semi-shade | Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Bushmans poison
Acokanthera oppositifolia |
Birds | Sun Semi-shade | Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Velvet Rock-alder
Afrocanthium gilfillanii |
||||
|
Rock Alder
Afrocanthium mundianum |
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|
candelabra aloe
Aloe arborescens |
Birds Sunbirds Bees | Sun | Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
| Aloe greatheadii davyana | Birds Bees | Sun | Rocky habitat | |
|
Mountain Aloe
Aloe marlothii |
Birds Sunbirds Bees | Sun | Soil: clay Soil: loam | |
|
Mountain Aloe
Aloe marlothii marlothii |
Birds Mammals 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 |
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 |
Bees | Sun | Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
False olive
Buddleja saligna |
Birds Bees | Sun | Soil: loam | |
|
Cape Chestnut
Calodendrum capense |
Birds Butterflies Bees | Sun | Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Num-num
Carissa bispinosa |
Butterflies | Sun Semi-shade | Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
White Stinkwood
Celtis africana |
Birds Butterflies | Sun Semi-shade | Soil: sandy | |
|
Buffelgrass
Cenchrus ciliaris |
Grazers/browsers | Sun Semi-shade | Rocky habitat Soil: clay Soil: sandy | |
|
Rhodes Grass
Chloris gayana |
Grazers/browsers Birds | Sun Semi-shade | Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Feather Finger Grass
Chloris virgata |
Grazers/browsers Birds | Sun Semi-shade | Near water Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
River Bushwillow
Combretum erythrophyllum |
Birds | Sun | Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Velvet Bushwillow
Combretum molle |
Sun | |||
|
Southern Cabbagetree
Cussonia paniculata |
Birds | Sun | Soil: clay Soil: loam | |
|
Cabbage tree
Cussonia spicata |
Birds | Sun Semi-shade | Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Cabbage tree
Cussonia spicata |
Birds | Sun Semi-shade | Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Showy Blue Ear
Cyanotis speciosa |
Mammals Butterflies Bees | Sun Semi-shade | Rocky habitat Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Showy Blue Ear
Cyanotis speciosa |
Mammals Butterflies Bees | Sun Semi-shade | Rocky habitat Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Broad-leaved Turpentine Grass
Cymbopogon caesius |
Birds | Sun Semi-shade | Soil: sandy | |
|
Broad-leaved Turpentine Grass
Cymbopogon caesius |
Birds | Sun Semi-shade | Soil: sandy | |
|
Bermuda grass
Cynodon dactylon |
Grazers/browsers | Sun Semi-shade | Near water Rocky habitat Soil: clay Soil: disturbed Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Bermuda grass
Cynodon dactylon |
Grazers/browsers | Sun Semi-shade | Near water Rocky habitat Soil: clay Soil: disturbed Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
pompom tree
Dais cotinifolia |
Bees | Sun Semi-shade | Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Small-leaf Sicklebush
Dichrostachys cinerea africana |
Mammals 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 |
Birds Mammals | Sun | Near water Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Digitgrass
Digitaria eriantha |
Birds Mammals | Sun | Near water Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Transvaal Bluebush
Diospyros lycioides guerkei |
||||
|
bladder nut
Diospyros whyteana |
Birds Bees | Shade | ||
|
bladder nut
Diospyros whyteana |
Birds Bees | Shade | ||
|
South African Wild Pear
Dombeya rotundifolia |
Birds Butterflies | Sun | Soil: loam | |
|
South African Wild Pear
Dombeya rotundifolia rotundifolia |
Birds Butterflies | Rocky habitat | ||
|
Wild Apricot
Dovyalis zeyheri |
Birds Butterflies | Sun | Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Puzzle Bush
Ehretia rigida |
Birds | Soil: sandy | ||
|
Cape-Lilac
Ehretia rigida nervifolia |
Birds Mammals Butterflies | Sun Semi-shade | ||
|
Broadpod Elephantroot
Elephantorrhiza burkei |
Birds Bees | Sun | Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Dwarf Elephantroot
Elephantorrhiza elephantina |
Bees | Sun | Rocky habitat Soil: sandy | |
|
Dwarf Elephantroot
Elephantorrhiza elephantina |
Bees | Sun | Rocky habitat Soil: sandy | |
|
Wire Grass
Elionurus muticus |
Birds | Sun Semi-shade | Rocky habitat Soil: sandy | |
|
Wire Grass
Elionurus muticus |
Birds | Sun Semi-shade | Rocky habitat Soil: sandy | |
|
Stamvrug
Englerophytum magalismontanum |
Birds Butterflies | Sun Semi-shade | Near water Rocky habitat Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Stamvrug
Englerophytum magalismontanum |
Birds Butterflies | Sun Semi-shade | Near water Rocky habitat Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Cape Love Grass
Eragrostis capensis |
Grazers/browsers 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 |
Birds | Sun | Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Red-Leaved Fig
Ficus ingens |
Birds | Sun | Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Snowberrytree
Flueggea virosa |
Birds Butterflies | |||
|
crossberry
Grewia occidentalis |
Birds Mammals Butterflies Bees | Shade Sun Semi-shade | Rocky habitat Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
crossberry
Grewia occidentalis |
Birds Mammals Butterflies Bees | Shade Sun Semi-shade | Rocky habitat Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Common Spikethorn
Gymnosporia buxifolia |
Birds Butterflies | Sun Semi-shade | Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Common Spikethorn
Gymnosporia buxifolia |
Birds Butterflies | Sun Semi-shade | Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
african honeysuckle
Halleria lucida |
Birds Sunbirds Bees | Sun Semi-shade | Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Caterpillar Grass
Harpochloa falx |
Grazers/browsers | Sun Semi-shade | Rocky habitat | |
|
Caterpillar Grass
Harpochloa falx |
Grazers/browsers | Sun Semi-shade | Rocky habitat | |
|
Parsleytree
Heteromorpha arborescens arborescens |
||||
|
Tanglehead
Heteropogon contortus |
Grazers/browsers | Sun Semi-shade | Rocky habitat Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Tanglehead
Heteropogon contortus |
Grazers/browsers | Sun Semi-shade | Rocky habitat Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Thatching Grass
Hyparrhenia hirta |
Grazers/browsers | Sun Semi-shade | Near water Rocky habitat Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Thatching Grass
Hyparrhenia hirta |
Grazers/browsers | Sun Semi-shade | Near water Rocky habitat Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Cogon Grass
Imperata cylindrica |
Birds Butterflies | Sun Semi-shade | Near water Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Wild Peach
Kiggelaria africana |
Birds Butterflies Bees | Shade Sun Semi-shade | Near water Rocky habitat Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Wild Peach
Kiggelaria africana |
Birds Butterflies Bees | Shade Sun Semi-shade | Near water Rocky habitat Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Live Long
Lannea discolor |
Birds | Sun | Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Live Long
Lannea discolor |
Birds | Sun | Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Ouhout
Leucosidea sericea |
Bees | Soil: clay Soil: sandy | ||
|
Bush Maerua
Maerua cafra |
Birds | Shade Sun Semi-shade | Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Bush Maerua
Maerua cafra |
Birds | Shade Sun Semi-shade | Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Koko Tree
Maytenus undata |
Birds 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 |
Birds Bees | Sun | Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Natal grass
Melinis repens repens |
Grazers/browsers Birds 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 |
Birds Sunbirds Butterflies Bees | Sun | Soil: sandy | |
|
Cork Bush
Mundulea sericea sericea |
Birds Mammals Butterflies Bees | Sun Semi-shade | Near water Rocky habitat Soil: sandy | |
|
African Boxwood
Myrsine africana |
Birds Butterflies | Sun Semi-shade | Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Kooboo-berry
Mystroxylon aethiopicum |
Birds Bees | Sun Semi-shade | Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Highveld Koobooberry
Mystroxylon aethiopicum burkeanum |
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|
Brittlewood
Nuxia congesta |
Birds Butterflies | Sun | Soil: clay Soil: sandy | |
|
Brittlewood
Nuxia congesta |
Birds Butterflies | Sun | Soil: clay Soil: sandy | |
|
Cats Whiskers
Ocimum obovatum obovatum |
Butterflies | Sun Semi-shade | ||
|
african wild olive
Olea europaea africana |
Birds Mammals Butterflies Bees | Sun Semi-shade | Near water Rocky habitat Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
african wild olive
Olea europaea africana |
Birds Mammals Butterflies 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 |
Birds 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 |
Birds Butterflies | Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy | ||
|
African Sandalwood
Osyris lanceolata |
Birds 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 |
Birds Butterflies | Sun | Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Jacket plum
Pappea capensis |
Birds Butterflies | Sun | Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Hairy Bride's Bush
Pavetta gardeniifolia subtomentosa |
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|
Weeping wattle
Peltophorum africanum |
Bees | Sun | Rocky habitat Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Weeping wattle
Peltophorum africanum |
Bees | Sun | Rocky habitat Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
| Pentanisia prunelloides latifolia | Butterflies | Sun Semi-shade | ||
|
Cape Cheesewood
Pittosporum viridiflorum |
Birds | Sun | Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Cape Cheesewood
Pittosporum viridiflorum |
Birds | Sun | Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Common Protea
Protea caffra caffra |
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|
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 |
Grazers/browsers | Sun Semi-shade | Rocky habitat | |
|
Thorn Pear
Scolopia zeyheri |
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|
African Sumac
Searsia lancea |
Birds Mammals Bees | Sun Semi-shade | Near water In water Rocky habitat Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
African Sumac
Searsia lancea |
Birds Mammals Bees | Sun Semi-shade | Near water In water Rocky habitat Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Mountain Karree
Searsia leptodictya |
Birds Mammals | Sun Semi-shade | Rocky habitat Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Mountain Karree
Searsia leptodictya |
Birds Mammals | Sun Semi-shade | Rocky habitat Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Ribbed Kunirhus
Searsia pallens |
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|
Firethorn Rhus
Searsia pyroides gracilis |
Birds Mammals | Sun Semi-shade | Near water Rocky habitat | |
|
Mountain Firethorn Crowberry
Searsia pyroides integrifolia |
Birds Mammals | Sun Semi-shade | Near water Rocky habitat | |
|
Common currant-rhus
Searsia pyroides pyroides |
Birds Mammals | Sun Semi-shade | Near water Rocky habitat | |
|
Hooked Bristle Grass
Setaria verticillata |
Grazers/browsers | Shade Sun Semi-shade | Soil: loam | |
|
Parramatta Grass
Sporobolus africanus |
Birds | Sun Semi-shade | Near water Soil: clay Soil: disturbed Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Parramatta Grass
Sporobolus africanus |
Birds | Sun Semi-shade | Near water Soil: clay Soil: disturbed Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Kangaroo Grass
Themeda triandra |
Grazers/browsers Birds | Sun Semi-shade | Near water Rocky habitat Soil: clay Soil: sandy | |
|
Kangaroo Grass
Themeda triandra |
Grazers/browsers Birds | Sun Semi-shade | Near water Rocky habitat Soil: clay Soil: sandy | |
|
Wild-Medlar
Vangueria infausta |
Birds Butterflies | Shade Sun Semi-shade | Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Wild-Medlar
Vangueria infausta |
Birds Butterflies | Shade Sun Semi-shade | Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Wild-Medlar
Vangueria infausta infausta |
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|
Smooth Sourplum
Ximenia caffra caffra |
Birds Mammals Butterflies | Sun Semi-shade | Rocky habitat | |
|
Small knobwood
Zanthoxylum capense |
Birds Butterflies | Sun | Soil: loam | |
|
Small knobwood
Zanthoxylum capense |
Birds Butterflies | Sun | Soil: loam | |
|
Buffalo-thorn
Ziziphus mucronata |
Birds Mammals Butterflies Bees | Sun Semi-shade | Near water Rocky habitat Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Buffalo-thorn
Ziziphus mucronata |
Birds Mammals Butterflies Bees | Sun Semi-shade | Near water Rocky habitat Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Dwarf Buffalothorn
Ziziphus zeyheriana |
Birds Butterflies Bees | Sun | Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Dwarf Buffalothorn
Ziziphus zeyheriana |
Birds Butterflies Bees | Sun | Soil: loam Soil: sandy |