Botanical name

Orphium frutescens

Family

Gentianaceae

Common Name

Sea Rose, Teringbos.
Orphium frutescens
Orphium frutescens
Orphium frutescens
Orphium frutescens
Orphium frutescens
Orphium frutescens

Description

Erect, hairy, velvety shrublet, with a woody base. Leaves paddle-shaped, thickish, with margins rolled under, up to 5cm long; glossy, deep pink flowers in terminal clusters, large and showy, occsionally white; twisted anthers coiled like barley-sugar sticks. Plants buzz-pollinated by carpenter bees, anthers open in response to buzz of bees' wings.

Habitat

Near the sea shore or in marshy brackish flats.

Flower Date

November to February