Flowers of South Africa
South Africa, especially the area known as the Fynbos Biome in the southern coastal region, is known for its floral biodiversity.
| Flower Species Types of Flowers Aloe African Daisy Bicolor Iris Bush Lily Calla Lily Cape Honeysuckle Euphorbia Gazania Ice Plant Paintbrush Lily Wild Iris |
All the flowers portrayed in this album are considered relatively easy to grow in warmer climates, those commonly associated with zones 8-10 on the USDA Hardiness Zone Map. (note: The USDA hardiness zone maps are currently being updated. A changing climate suggests that a larger area of the southern United States, including some coastal areas, will now be included in zone 8).
In colder climates, many of the listed flowers are grown as houseplants. Here's a quick run down.
Three of the flowers have the name lily, Bush lily (Clivia miniata), Calla lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica) and Paintbrush lily. None belongs to the true lily family, Liliaceae. Rather, they are all perennials, and each represents a different flower family.
Aloe, Euphorbia and Ice Plants are loosely categorized as succulents. Each of these succulents also represents a different flower family.
Irises are a popular category of flowers, found in a variety of climates from temperate to tropical. Two flowers, the Bicolor and the Wild irises, are representative of South African species popular in the United States.
Daisies are a popular group of flowers in the family Asteraceae, the largest family of flowering plants in the world. Two South African examples, the African daisy, and the group in the genus Gazania are shown here.
Cape honeysuckle (Tecomaria capensis) is a member of the bignonia family (Bignoniaceae), a tropical family of woody, flowering plants. Common honeysuckle plants in the United States are members of the honeysuckle family (Caprifoliaceae).
Please click on any link in the box on the right to learn more about a specific flower or group of flowers.
© 2008 Patricia A. Michaels