ACANTHACEAE
Blepharis subvolubilis subsp. subvolubilis
Eyelash Flower
Wildflowers© Joël Roerig (2020) • RV23
Local Context
Pretty common across the north of South Africa and presumably on Raptor's View as well, but we only have one record so far.Identification
- Growth: Perennial herb or small shrub that grows upright or trails along the ground, often with a woody base.
- Flowers: Bright blue, deep blue, or purple (rarely white), about 2.5–3.5 cm long, arranged in spikes with prickly, glossy leaf-like bracts.
- Leaves: Stiff, leathery, and narrow to egg-shaped (2–11.5 cm long), often shiny or varnished, with edges that are either smooth or have sharp, triangular teeth.
- Texture: Leaves are glossy and rough on top but often silky-hairy underneath; the flower spikes feature glossy, sharp spines.
- Fruit: Small capsule (1.1–1.3 cm long), usually containing only one seed.
Did You Know?
The leaves of Blepharis subvolubilis are arranged in whorls of four at each stem node, and typically one leaf in each set is noticeably larger than the other three, giving the plant a distinctive look.