Dicoma anomala Sond.

fever bush, stomach bush

Afr

maagbitterwortel, kalwerbossie, koorsbossie, gryshout, maagbossie

isiZulu

isihlabamakhondlwane, umuna

IsiXhosa

Description

Family:

Asteraceae

Order:

Asterales

Description

Variable, prostrate, decumbent, or erect perennial herb with underground tuber. Erect stems from woody rootstock, thinly hairy. Simple, alternate, linear or narrowly lanceolate leaves, glabrous above, white-hairy below. Terminal, solitary or grouped flower heads with stiff, sharp bracts and mauve, white, purple, or pink tubular florets. Grows in stony grasslands and savannas.

Plant Details

Height

10 - 60 cm

Thorns

Absent (but bracts are sharp-pointed)

Soil

Sandy, clay, loam; well-drained

Moderate

Growth Rate

10 - 60 cm

Size

Perennial

Lifespan

Flower Colour

Flowering Season

,

Horticultural Zones

Not available

pH

Sandy, clay, loam; well-drained

Soil

Full sun

Aspect

Tolerant (dies back in winter, resprouts)

Frost Tolerance

Moderate

Drought Resistance

Link to PlantzAfrica.co.za

Distribution

,

Companion Plants

Other grassland forbs such as Helichrysum, Felicia, Berkheya.

Caterpillars

Not available

Associations

Descriptions

Flowers attract bees and other pollinators. Grazed by livestock when young. Not a nitrogen fixer. Pioneer in disturbed soils, supports pollinators.

Flowers and fruits

Mauve/white/pink/purple flower heads attract insects; seeds wind-dispersed by pappus.

Birds

Not available

By Seeds:

Sow in spring in well-drained soil; germinates in 12 – 20 days.

By Cuttings:

Not available

Traditional Uses

Root decoctions for fever, stomach ailments, colic, diarrhoea, toothache, worms; used for wounds, coughs, respiratory complaints; animal medicine for gall sickness and wounds.

Plant Details

Height

Description

Thorns

Description

Leaves

Description

Size

Growth Form

Size

Size

Size

Lifespan

Size

Flower Colour

Size

Flowering Season

Size

Horticultural Zones

Size

pH

Size

Soil

Size

Aspect

Size

Frost Tolerance

Size

Drought Resistance

Description

DESCRIPTION

Height

DESCRIPTION

Leaves

DESCRIPTION

Thorns

DESCRIPTION

BSS

Ecoscore

Host plant Nectar Grazing

Link to PlantzAfrica.co.za

View

Distribution

Companion Plants

Description

Caterpillars

Associations

Leaves

Leaves

Flowers and fruits

Leaves

Birds

Leaves

Mammals

Leaves

By Seeds:

Leaves

By Cuttings:

Leaves

Traditional Uses

traditional uses