| Nemesia floribunda | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Lamiales |
| Family: | Scrophulariaceae |
| Genus: | Nemesia |
| Species: | N. floribunda |
| Binomial name | |
| Nemesia floribunda Lehm. | |
Nemesia floribunda, also called Cape Jewels or Fleshy Nemesia, is an erect annual dicotyledon herb that is native to South Africa, but has naturalized elsewhere. It is commonly cultivated by home gardeners.
Description
Nemesia floribunda grows to a height of between 30.48 centimetres (12 in) and 60 centimetres (24 in). Its flowers are 10–15 mm (0.4–0.6 in) in diameter, and are white, with a pale yellow throat. It has 3–12 cm (1.2–4.7 in) long leaves that are shortened and rounded with a wavy blade and narrow tip. Its seeds are 1 millimetre (0 in) with large wings, and the plant flowers between February and September.
Habitat and ecosystem
Nemesia floribunda is typically found in subtropical environments, specifically nearby dunes with lupin and elder shrubs. It is sometimes found on roadsides and in the open forest and its frequented by bees.
It prefers consistent moisture in the soil while not being overburdened by waterlogging, and is somewhat drought resistant. It thrives in temperatures between 20–35 °C (68.0–95.0 °F) and does well in consistent sunlight.
Taxonomy
Nemesia floribunda was described by the German botanist Johann Georg Christian Lehmann, but was originally discovered and collected by Christian Friedrich Ecklon.
Distribution
Nemesia floribunda is native to South Africa, but has naturalized in New Zealand. However, there is at least one wild, confirmed sighting of the plant in the United Kingdom just outside of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. Additionally, it is commonly grown in home and botanical gardens across the United States.
References
- ^ "Nemesia floribunda". New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. Retrieved 2024-09-03.
- ^ "Cape Jewels (Nemesia floribunda)". PictureThis. Retrieved 2024-09-03.
- Lesser, Jennifer (2020-07-01). "Nemesia Plant Profile". The Spruce. Retrieved 2024-09-03.
- "Otago Peninsula Plants An annotated list of vascular plants growing in wild places" (PDF). Retrieved 2024-09-03.
- von Schlechtendal, D.F.L., ed. (1836). Linnaea : Ein Journal für die Botanik in ihrem ganzen Umfange. Vol. 10. F. Dümmler. p. 76.
- "SEINet Portal Network Collection Search Parameters". SEINet Portal Network Home. 1972-05-15. Retrieved 2024-09-03.
External links
- "Nemesia floribunda". New Zealand's Flora. New Zealand Plant Conservation Network.
Media related to Nemesia floribunda at Wikimedia Commons
