HERBS
Kraalbos, Galenia africana
Geelbos, perdebos
Kraalbos is an erect aromatic green to yellow-green softly woody shrublet of 0,5-1,5 m high. Its stems are pale coloured, the leaves are opposite, and bright green when young, while yellow to orange when older. The leaves are flat, linear to narrowly oblong. Flowers are borne from October to December and are generally ordinary, abundant and yellow-green. It is regarded as an invasive plant and is found on dry flats and lower slopes from the Northern Cape and Namaqualand to Uniondale, the Karoo and Eastern Cape Province - often on disturbed ground and road verges. Kraalbos occurs primarily in the Namaqualand area as a pioneer species that covers disturbed soils very quickly. It is effective in reducing wind and rain erosion. At places where overgrazing is extremely severe, it can appear to be the only green plant for grazing. But, under these circumstances, the plant is known to cause a disease in sheep and goats, known as ‘water guts’ or colloquially as ‘waterpens’. Namaqualand livestock and wheat farmers consider kraalbos as a useless problem plant that invades large land areas after stopping wheat production.
Bloublommetjie, Felicia muricata
Bloublommetjiekaroo
This perennial herb or small subshrub, grows to a height of up to 20 cm, is much branched and woody at the base. The leaves are needle-like tufts arranged along the stems. The disc flowers are yellow, surrounded by numerous white ray flowers. The ray flowers are often rolled up in older capitula. Felicia muricata is a medicinal plant used for the management of different human and livestock diseases. This herb with leaves that are rich in phenols displays strong antioxidant activity.
Gansogiebos, Pentzia incana
Alsbossie, Karoobossie, skaapkaroo
Gansogiebos can be found on ridges and plains with sandy or loamy soils. It is a low shrub with branches that arch downwards and root where they touch the soil. The leaves are pinnate and aromatic. It flowers from April to September and the flowers are ball-like and yellow. The seeds are greyish white, about 1 mm long and there are many on a single flowerhead. Very palatable for small livestock and game, and is valued as a browse plant.
Geelbos, perdebos
Kraalbos is an erect aromatic green to yellow-green softly woody shrublet of 0,5-1,5 m high. Its stems are pale coloured, the leaves are opposite, and bright green when young, while yellow to orange when older. The leaves are flat, linear to narrowly oblong. Flowers are borne from October to December and are generally ordinary, abundant and yellow-green. It is regarded as an invasive plant and is found on dry flats and lower slopes from the Northern Cape and Namaqualand to Uniondale, the Karoo and Eastern Cape Province - often on disturbed ground and road verges. Kraalbos occurs primarily in the Namaqualand area as a pioneer species that covers disturbed soils very quickly. It is effective in reducing wind and rain erosion. At places where overgrazing is extremely severe, it can appear to be the only green plant for grazing. But, under these circumstances, the plant is known to cause a disease in sheep and goats, known as ‘water guts’ or colloquially as ‘waterpens’. Namaqualand livestock and wheat farmers consider kraalbos as a useless problem plant that invades large land areas after stopping wheat production.
Bloublommetjie, Felicia muricata
Bloublommetjiekaroo
This perennial herb or small subshrub, grows to a height of up to 20 cm, is much branched and woody at the base. The leaves are needle-like tufts arranged along the stems. The disc flowers are yellow, surrounded by numerous white ray flowers. The ray flowers are often rolled up in older capitula. Felicia muricata is a medicinal plant used for the management of different human and livestock diseases. This herb with leaves that are rich in phenols displays strong antioxidant activity.
Gansogiebos, Pentzia incana
Alsbossie, Karoobossie, skaapkaroo
Gansogiebos can be found on ridges and plains with sandy or loamy soils. It is a low shrub with branches that arch downwards and root where they touch the soil. The leaves are pinnate and aromatic. It flowers from April to September and the flowers are ball-like and yellow. The seeds are greyish white, about 1 mm long and there are many on a single flowerhead. Very palatable for small livestock and game, and is valued as a browse plant.