Podalyria calyptrata
Encyclopedia
Podalyria calyptrata is a small, resilient, fast-growing tree of the Fabaceae (legume)
family. It has velvety silver leaves, bears masses of bright-pink, sweetly-scented flower
s, and is indigenous to the Western Cape
, South Africa
.
The bright-pink, strongly fragrant flower
s are very striking and usually appear in spring (although flowering time varies). The flowers are very strongly fragrant, and their sweet scent can be smelt from afar.
The seeds are contained in hard little pods that appear considerably later.
northwards as far as Tulbagh
and eastwards across the Cape Fold mountains. It grows amongst Fynbos
and on the verges of forests
.
It makes a good informal hedge
or screen along the edge of a property. It also makes a handsome specimen plant, with its bright flowers and attractive foliage. If you want to become more bushy, plant it in full sun and lightly prune the young shoots. If planted in the shade it will tend to become a taller tree, with less dense foliage.
Podalyria calyptrata can easily be propagated from seed
. Allow the seeds to soak briefly in warm water before planting them.
Fabaceae
The Fabaceae or Leguminosae, commonly known as the legume, pea, or bean family, is a large and economically important family of flowering plants. The group is the third largest land plant family, behind only the Orchidaceae and Asteraceae, with 730 genera and over 19,400 species...
family. It has velvety silver leaves, bears masses of bright-pink, sweetly-scented flower
Flower
A flower, sometimes known as a bloom or blossom, is the reproductive structure found in flowering plants . The biological function of a flower is to effect reproduction, usually by providing a mechanism for the union of sperm with eggs...
s, and is indigenous to the Western Cape
Western Cape
The Western Cape is a province in the south west of South Africa. The capital is Cape Town. Prior to 1994, the region that now forms the Western Cape was part of the much larger 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...
.
Appearance
Podalyria calyptrata is a small, tough, fast-growing tree of around 4 meters in height. The simple, oval leaves are silvery grey and velvety in texture.The bright-pink, strongly fragrant flower
Flower
A flower, sometimes known as a bloom or blossom, is the reproductive structure found in flowering plants . The biological function of a flower is to effect reproduction, usually by providing a mechanism for the union of sperm with eggs...
s are very striking and usually appear in spring (although flowering time varies). The flowers are very strongly fragrant, and their sweet scent can be smelt from afar.
The seeds are contained in hard little pods that appear considerably later.
Distribution
This tree occurs from Cape TownCape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
northwards as far as Tulbagh
Tulbagh
Tulbagh is a town in the Tulbagh valley and is situated in the Witzenberg Local Municipality, with the valley called "Die Land van Waveren" locally. Closest towns are Wolseley, Prince Alfred's Hamlet, Gouda and Ceres in the Boland district of the Western Cape Province, South Africa.The valley has...
and eastwards across the Cape Fold mountains. It grows amongst 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...
and on the verges of forests
Afromontane
Afromontane is a term used to describe the Afrotropic subregion and its plant and animal species common to the mountains of Africa and the southern Arabian Peninsula...
.
Growing Podalyria calyptrata
Once established, Podalyria calyptrata tolerates wind, frost and drought, but it is healthiest when it gets regular water and it does not grow well in highly salty or alkaline soils. Overall it is very easy to grow.It makes a good informal hedge
Hedge
Hedge may refer to:* Hedge or hedgerow, line of closely spaced shrubs planted to act as a barrier* Hedge , investment made to limit loss* Hedge , intentionally non-committal or ambiguous sentence fragments-See also:...
or screen along the edge of a property. It also makes a handsome specimen plant, with its bright flowers and attractive foliage. If you want to become more bushy, plant it in full sun and lightly prune the young shoots. If planted in the shade it will tend to become a taller tree, with less dense foliage.
Podalyria calyptrata can easily be propagated from seed
Seed
A seed is a small embryonic plant enclosed in a covering called the seed coat, usually with some stored food. It is the product of the ripened ovule of gymnosperm and angiosperm plants which occurs after fertilization and some growth within the mother plant...
. Allow the seeds to soak briefly in warm water before planting them.