maagbitterwortel, kalwerbossie, koorsbossie, gryshout, maagbossie
isihlabamakhondlwane, umuna
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.
Flowers attract bees and other pollinators. Grazed by livestock when young. Not a nitrogen fixer. Pioneer in disturbed soils, supports pollinators.
Mauve/white/pink/purple flower heads attract insects; seeds wind-dispersed by pappus.
Not available
Sow in spring in well-drained soil; germinates in 12 – 20 days.
Not available
Root decoctions for fever, stomach ailments, colic, diarrhoea, toothache, worms; used for wounds, coughs, respiratory complaints; animal medicine for gall sickness and wounds.
