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ACANTHACEAE

Crabbea velutina

Velvet Pricklehead

Wildflowers

© Joël Roerig (2018) • Aardvark Trail

© Joël Roerig (2018) • Aardvark Trail

© Joël Roerig (2020) • SCS

© Joël Roerig (2022) • 23 Pygmy Falcon

© Joël Roerig (2024) • Near main gate

Local Context
Common after the rains in woodland areas. Always a delight to find these flowers.
Identification
  • Growth: Erect herb (rarely lying down) with fibrous roots.
  • Flowers: White, 1.8 cm long, supported by prominent stalks usually 1.1–12.2 cm long.
  • Leaves: Leathery, oblanceolate to elliptic-ovate (occasionally lance-shaped), 2.4–14.7 cm long.
  • Texture: Leaves are velvety or covered in short hairs; the flower bracts are covered in stiff hairs and have spiny edges.
  • Fruit: Capsule 0.9–1.1 cm long, smooth.
Did You Know?
The name velutina refers to the velvety leaves.
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