Probably one of the most well known South African flower (as well as being the namesake for the countries cricket team) proteas are unusual in terms of appearance, few other world florae quite resemble it. In fact, few other proteas really resemble proteas, each example of the genus can, at first glance, seem as different from each other as oil and water, which is how, some people argue, that the plant got its name. some sources claim that the protea is named for the mythical son of the Greek sea god Poseidon, Proteus who was known for constantly shifting forms so as not to be recognised.
Other sources, however, claim that the protea’s name comes actually from its spiky petal’s resemblance to crowns.
It is a hardy flower, capable of growing in rocky, misty locations to dry, desert locations, and it can survive a both heat and snow, it can even endure wildfires.
It is a flower associated with resilience and with diversity, its unique and varied appearance lending it the meaning of cultural harmony. In many African cultures, the protea embodies transformation and change.
For a time, this flower became a staple in medicine chests, with its nectar being distilled into a cough syrup, and for treating any related chest issues. The nectar is also a natural sweetener, and thus can be an alternative to sugar. It was also used to treat some stomach issues.
In addition, the protea has quite thick, hardy stems, and thus it was used to craft furniture in the past.
The stem was also used for firewood and charcoal too.
These flowers are ancient beings, with the origins dating back 300 million years (given how much can survive, that’s not a surprise really).
Though there isn’t quite that much information about it, gazanias are another hardy plant indigenous to South Africa, capable of living in sandy soil and surviving with little water.
Known as the African daisy, gazanias are popular for garden use given just how waterwise they are and their ability to cover large swathes of ground, making them good soil stabilisers.
And, like the protea, there are some medicinal uses for the gazania, namely in that it has anti-inflammatory aspects to it, otherwise, though there aren’t an awful lot of uses for it beyond as an ornamental plant.
Found by the Dutch East India company and taken back to Europe in the 1600s, the Agapanthus has long been a popular plant internationally.
For some reason, this long-stemmed plant is known as the lily of the Nile, though it’s indigenous to South Africa (as far away from the Nile as you can get whilst still inhabiting the same continent). Isicakathi, as they are known in Xhosa, like the gazania and the protea, is adurable plant capable of living in various soil types.
Ubani, as it is known in Zulu, is, however, a somewhat poisonous plant, causing mouth ulcers if consumed, and yet it has its own medicinal uses, particularly in relation to fertility and pregnancy. Its sap has also been known to cause skin rashes upon occasion though its roots were often used in Xhosa culture as necklaces, worn and woven as a charm to encourage healthy babies. Zulu men and women also used the Agapanthus to treat heart disease, coughs, colds and chest pains.
More superstitiously, the Agapanthus was believed to be a love charm, as well as it was believed to be capable of warding off lighting during thunderstorms.
Similar in shape and shade, though not in origin, the Jacaranda is a beloved sight in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Pretoria. Every student at the Universities of Cape Town, or Witwatersrand or Pretoria, knows that if you haven’t started studying for exams by the time the purple blossoms start to cover their trees, then your screwed. Though if a Jacaranda flower falls upon your head, then you will pass, some people claim (though its unclear if these are mutually exclusive or not.)
However, Jacarandas are in fact quite invasive to South Africa. Originally from Argentina and other South American countries, these trees were imported by early colonisers when Johannesburg was but a small gold mining town. Today these ubiquitous trees are considered a category 3 alien invader, meaning the cant be planted anymore, they require too much water and have a tendency to take that from their neighbouring plants, damaging them, though they don’t need to be cut down.
Just as popular in Joburg, and somewhat less toxic, are jasmines. The white flowers can be seen climbing the walls of various houses, shopping centres, and properties all over the city, but again, they aren’t from here, rather they originate in the middle east, from what was once Persia, now Iran, though it has also been traced back to the Himalayas and some parts of China.
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