MALPIGHIACEAE
A creeper that is widely-spread but not very common across the estate. It occurs as far north as the DRC and Tanzania, favouring rocky hillsides, granite koppies, dry bushveld, woodland margins and thickets.
Canary Nettle
Wildflowers
No photos available
Local Context
A creeper that is widely-spread but not very common across the estate. Identification
- Growth: Woody twining climber or scrambling shrub (2–5 m) growing from a thick woody root.
- Leaves: Oval opposite leaves, green above with silky, shiny golden-white hairs coating the undersides.
- Flowers: Showy bright canary-yellow flowers (1.5–2.5 cm) with five crinkled petals in small clusters.
- Fruit: Distinctive 3-winged fruit pods (2–3.5 cm) ripening from purplish-red to hairy light brown.
- Texture: Stems, leaf undersides, and fruits are densely covered in golden, highly irritating stinging hairs.
Did You Know?
Despite showing off handsome sprays of crinkled, bright yellow petals, Sphedamnocarpus pruriens conceals a nasty defence. Its specific epithet pruriens translates from Latin to causing an itch, perfectly describing the stinging effect that gives it the name Canary Nettle. While the twining stems and foliage are softly hairy, its winged fruits in particular are coated in brittle, microscopic bristle-hairs. When brushed against, these hairs snap off directly into bare skin, releasing irritants that trigger intense burning and maddening itching.