Rhodocoma capensis 5375
Author: Christian Gottfried Daniel Nees von Esenbeck (1776-1858) ex Ernst Gottlieb von Steudel (1783-1856)Family: Restionaceae
Genus: Rhodocoma
English name: Cape restio
Zone: South Africa
Description
This is a very widespread species and can be found along roadsides, streamsides, in little pockets of soil in between rocks, and in damp loamy soils from the Cederberg in the Western Cape all along the inland margins of the Cape Fold Mountains to Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape. Driving through the Little Karoo in a very dry and hot landscape, it is quite surprising to find a soft-looking restio like Rhodocoma capensis growing in a drainage ditch along the road, covered in red dust. It is a very hardy and tough species, and very adaptable. The plants have proved hardy in cold climates, withstanding temperatures of -7ºC when provided with good protection in the form of a deep layer of mulch. The species name capensis refers to the fact that this plant can be found throughout the southern part of South Africa, the old Cape Province.
Rhodocoma capensis Observed in South Africa by Nick Helme (license)
Botanical Description
This is a tufted, compact plant of 1 to 2m high, the diameter at the base growing up to 1m. The stems are quite sturdy and have distinct nodes like a bamboo. At each node there is a thick whorl of finely divided, fertile branches, giving the whole plant a feathery appearance.
The color of the foliage-like branches is a deep green with small brown inflorescences at the tips. The growth form of this species is quite unique in that all the branchlets are fertile, in contrast with other restios where the finely divided side stems are not fertile. The branches are slightly arching and this gives the plants a very elegant appearance. The plants can reach a height of 1 to 1.5m in three years and with age become slightly more upright and can reach a height of 2m after five to seven years. Male and female plants flower sporadically from September to November, the female flowers are a deep pink, whereas the male flowers are pale yellow-green.
The color of the foliage-like branches is a deep green with small brown inflorescences at the tips. The growth form of this species is quite unique in that all the branchlets are fertile, in contrast with other restios where the finely divided side stems are not fertile. The branches are slightly arching and this gives the plants a very elegant appearance. The plants can reach a height of 1 to 1.5m in three years and with age become slightly more upright and can reach a height of 2m after five to seven years. Male and female plants flower sporadically from September to November, the female flowers are a deep pink, whereas the male flowers are pale yellow-green.
Useful plant
Since its introduction into the horticultural market, Rhodocoma capensis has proved to be a popular plant for gardens and large formal plantings, with its elegant, evergreen appearance. This is the most commercially useful aspect of the species as the foliage is too soft for the traditional use as a broom, while the high tannin content of the plant makes it unpalatable for animals except for the very young growth.
References
- Grow restios, edn 2. A guide to the propagation and cultivation of South African restios. Kirstenbosch Gardening Series. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Cape Town., Jamieson, H and Botha, PA and others. 2004. Address
- PlantZafrica, Hanneke Jamieson. Kirstenbosch NBG 2004. Rhodocoma capensis
- Restios of the fynbos, Els Dorrat-Haaksma & H. Peter Linder. 2012 pag. 105. ISBN
References
- Grow restios, edn 2. A guide to the propagation and cultivation of South African restios. Kirstenbosch Gardening Series. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Cape Town., Jamieson, H and Botha, PA and others. 2004. Address
- PlantZafrica, Hanneke Jamieson. Kirstenbosch NBG 2004. Rhodocoma capensis
- Restios of the fynbos, Els Dorrat-Haaksma & H. Peter Linder. 2012 pag. 105. ISBN
References for the genus
- A generic classification of the Restioneae (Restionaceae), southern Africa, Linder, HP and Hardy, CR. Bothalia 2010 Vol. 40(1) pag. 1-35. Address
- Restios of the fynbos, Els Dorrat-Haaksma & H. Peter Linder. 2012. ISBN
- The morphology, taxonomy and evolution of Rhodocoma (Restionaceae), Hans Peter Linder and J.H.J. Vlok. Plant Systematics and Evolution 1991 Vol. 175 pag. 139-160. DOI
- Grow restios, edn 2. A guide to the propagation and cultivation of South African restios. Kirstenbosch Gardening Series. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Cape Town., Jamieson, H and Botha, PA and others. 2004. Address
- Restios of the fynbos, Els Dorrat-Haaksma & H. Peter Linder. 2012. ISBN
- The morphology, taxonomy and evolution of Rhodocoma (Restionaceae), Hans Peter Linder and J.H.J. Vlok. Plant Systematics and Evolution 1991 Vol. 175 pag. 139-160. DOI
- Grow restios, edn 2. A guide to the propagation and cultivation of South African restios. Kirstenbosch Gardening Series. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Cape Town., Jamieson, H and Botha, PA and others. 2004. Address
General specifications
Biological type: grass
Frost resistance: 10ºF
Leaf color: dark green
Flower color: pink
Specifications for the Mediterranean basin
Adult size (h x w): 6,5ft x 3,9ft
Plant with a spacing of: 3,5ft
Sun exposure: full sun (Sun hours: >6h Foliage: evergreen
Growth: average
Flowering time from May until October
Specific information for our garden
Planting substrate: 30%Compost+30%Coco+40%Sand
Plant watering: 3x a week pH 6.5
Logical sequence of containers for: Grasses; forestry plate 8cm, forest pot 3L, container 6L
Propagation is done by root division
Units in the garden: 24x
Ecology in its country of origin
Rainfall: 400-700mm
Gravelly soil: much
Frost resistance: 10ºF
Leaf color: dark green
Flower color: pink
Specifications for the Mediterranean basin
Adult size (h x w): 6,5ft x 3,9ft
Plant with a spacing of: 3,5ft
Sun exposure: full sun (Sun hours: >6h Foliage: evergreen
Growth: average
Flowering time from May until October
Specific information for our garden
Planting substrate: 30%Compost+30%Coco+40%Sand
Plant watering: 3x a week pH 6.5
Logical sequence of containers for: Grasses; forestry plate 8cm, forest pot 3L, container 6L
Propagation is done by root division
Units in the garden: 24x
Ecology in its country of origin
Rainfall: 400-700mm
Gravelly soil: much
Sowing instructions
AUTUMN Soak the seeds in ambient water for 12h with a SmokeDisk. Sow the seeds at 2mm depth in the Well Drained Seed Sowing Mix between 64-72°F. The container with the seeds is placed in a saucer of water until germination occurs. As a result, the moisture reaches the seeds by capillary action and ensures that the seeds do not dry out.
The average seed weight is 3906,3 per gram (0,000256g).
Germination references
- Grow restios, edn 2. A guide to the propagation and cultivation of South African restios. Kirstenbosch Gardening Series. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Cape Town., Jamieson, H and Botha, PA and others. 2004. Address
- Patterns in the seed germination response to smoke in plants from the Cape Floristic Region, South Africa, N.A.C. Brown, J. van Staden, M.I. Daws, T. Johnson. South African Journal of Botany 2003 Vol. 69(4) pag. 514-525. DOI
- PlantZafrica, Hanneke Jamieson. Kirstenbosch NBG 2004. Rhodocoma capensis
- Seeds: Ecology, Biogeography, and, Evolution of Dormancy and Germination, Baskin, Carol and Baskin, J.M. 2014 pag. 1-1586. DOI
- Smoke seed germination studies and a guide to seed propagation of plants from the major families of the Cape Floristic Region, South Africa, N.A.C. Brown, P.A. Botha, J. van Staden. South African Journal of Botany 2004 Vol. 70(4) pag. 559-581. DOI
The average seed weight is 3906,3 per gram (0,000256g).
Germination references
- Grow restios, edn 2. A guide to the propagation and cultivation of South African restios. Kirstenbosch Gardening Series. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Cape Town., Jamieson, H and Botha, PA and others. 2004. Address
- Patterns in the seed germination response to smoke in plants from the Cape Floristic Region, South Africa, N.A.C. Brown, J. van Staden, M.I. Daws, T. Johnson. South African Journal of Botany 2003 Vol. 69(4) pag. 514-525. DOI
- PlantZafrica, Hanneke Jamieson. Kirstenbosch NBG 2004. Rhodocoma capensis
- Seeds: Ecology, Biogeography, and, Evolution of Dormancy and Germination, Baskin, Carol and Baskin, J.M. 2014 pag. 1-1586. DOI
- Smoke seed germination studies and a guide to seed propagation of plants from the major families of the Cape Floristic Region, South Africa, N.A.C. Brown, P.A. Botha, J. van Staden. South African Journal of Botany 2004 Vol. 70(4) pag. 559-581. DOI
Germination references for the genus
- Grow restios, edn 2. A guide to the propagation and cultivation of South African restios. Kirstenbosch Gardening Series. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Cape Town., Jamieson, H and Botha, PA and others. 2004. Address
Experiences in the garden
16-09-15A Obtaining seeds from seed provider Kirstenbosch.
06-03-17B Obtaining seeds from seed provider SilverHill.
08-12-17 Sown seeds in a tray and germinated at 07-02-18 but the seedlings did not survive.
Protocol: Autumn SmokeDisk 2mm Sowing mix+Sand Damp substrate+Light
15-03-18C Obtaining 6 plants from nursery Stervinou
20-01-25 2x Plant not found in nursery: Ombr6g A45.
. . . 2018B Production of 10 plants in our nursery, they are planted in zone(s) RFynb
. . . 2020C Production of 15 plants in our nursery, they are planted in zone(s) RFynb,RAlbThick,RGrass
23-06-22D Obtaining seeds from seed provider SilverHill collected in 'SilverHill23>Kouebokkeveld'. (Wild origin)
25-10-23 Sown 120 seeds in a seed plate F and germinated at 14-02-24, result: 12 units in Serre6.
Protocol: Autumn Soak 68°F 12h SmokeDisk 2mm Sowing mix+Sand 64-72°F Marsh
. . . 2023D Production of 10 plants in our nursery: Serre6 10x F2 (Formerly of wild origin)