Agathosma gonaquensis
Encyclopedia
Agathosma gonaquensis (the Gonaqua Buchu) is a critically endangered
plant in the family Rutaceae
. It is restricted to a tiny area of the Eastern Cape
, South Africa
.
The Gonaqua Buchu used to be common around Port Elizabeth, South Africa. It grew in the coastal grassland
s and fynbos
that surrounded the town. Unfortunately, massive urban sprawl has covered its natural habitat, and it now survives in only two tiny (and fragmented) populations. These last patches are now threatened by rapidly-spreading alien invasive plants.
In appearance, this plant is low-lying, compact, rounded and spreading. It produces masses of white flowers, and the natural oils within its leaves produce a pleasant fragrance when the foliage is crushed or handled. It is used in local traditional medicine to make a tea to treat colds and hayfever.
Grown in gardens, it is actually remarkably tough and waterwise. Once established, it withstands both drought and frost. With its striking white flowers and its tiny, dense, symmetrical foliage, it makes a very attractive plant for coastal gardens.
Critically endangered
Version 2010.3 of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species identified 3744 Critically Endangered species, subspecies and varieties, stocks and subpopulations.Critically Endangered by kingdom:*1993 Animalia*2 Fungi*1745 Plantae*4 Protista-References:...
plant in the family Rutaceae
Rutaceae
Rutaceae, commonly known as the rue or citrus family, is a family of flowering plants, usually placed in the order Sapindales.Species of the family generally have flowers that divide into four or five parts, usually with strong scents...
. It is restricted to a tiny area of the Eastern Cape
Eastern Cape
The Eastern Cape is a province of South Africa. Its capital is Bhisho, but its two largest cities are Port Elizabeth and East London. It was formed in 1994 out of the "independent" Xhosa homelands of Transkei and Ciskei, together with the eastern portion of the Cape Province...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
.
The Gonaqua Buchu used to be common around Port Elizabeth, South Africa. It grew in the coastal grassland
Grassland
Grasslands are areas where the vegetation is dominated by grasses and other herbaceous plants . However, sedge and rush families can also be found. Grasslands occur naturally on all continents except Antarctica...
s and fynbos
Fynbos
Fynbos is the natural shrubland or heathland vegetation occurring in a small belt of the Western Cape of South Africa, mainly in winter rainfall coastal and mountainous areas with a Mediterranean climate...
that surrounded the town. Unfortunately, massive urban sprawl has covered its natural habitat, and it now survives in only two tiny (and fragmented) populations. These last patches are now threatened by rapidly-spreading alien invasive plants.
In appearance, this plant is low-lying, compact, rounded and spreading. It produces masses of white flowers, and the natural oils within its leaves produce a pleasant fragrance when the foliage is crushed or handled. It is used in local traditional medicine to make a tea to treat colds and hayfever.
Grown in gardens, it is actually remarkably tough and waterwise. Once established, it withstands both drought and frost. With its striking white flowers and its tiny, dense, symmetrical foliage, it makes a very attractive plant for coastal gardens.