Petalidium


Petalidium, commonly known as petal-bushes, is a genus of perennial shrubs in the acanthus family. They are native to sandy flats or stony slopes in the drier bush regions of Africa, India and the Mascarene Islands. The majority of species occur in frost-free, summer rainfall regions of southern Africa, and may be found from low to medium altitudes.

Description

They have a diverse habit, forming either small, scrambling herbs or large, robust shrubs. Their dilated, tubular flowers are solitary or on short racemes growing from the leaf axils, and vary from white to mauve or red in colour. The four stamens are partially fused with the corolla, and the style is branched into two unequal parts. The calyx is deeply divided into five segments.
Two large, ovate to elliptic bracteoles subtend and protect the young corolla. The persistent bracteoles may be conspicuously veined or covered by long, villous trichomes. The small, ellipsoid fruit capsules explosively release two to four flat seeds when moisture is absorbed by their hygroscopic hairs. Young foliage and branches are covered in gland-tipped hairs. The leaves are entire.

Cultivation

Some species are cultivated as ornamentals, as they grow fast and flower profusely.

Etymology

According to Jackson, the name Petalidium is derived from the Greek petalon, which may refer to the deciduous, leaf-like bracts, while bracteatum likewise refers to the large, imbricate bracts.

Species

There are more than 30 species in all, of which 29 occur in southern Africa. The species include: