We are unable to locate the relevant vegetation type. Please make sure to select a site on the map first, so that we can load the relevant plant species for your chosen location.
South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI)
More information
Species source document
PlantZAfrica
The PlantZAfrica website (pza.sanbi.org) is an authoritative online resource dedicated to celebrating and providing information about the plants of southern Africa. It is run by the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) and is a valuable resource for gardeners, botanists, students, and anyone interested in the region's diverse flora.It was started in 2000 and accessed in 2025.
Content is developed by the horticultural and scientific staff of SANBI
Linked species
The following 152 species were imported from this document.
| Name | Form | Wildlife | Aspect | Habitats |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Common Poison-bush
Acokanthera oppositifolia |
Tree | Birds | Semi-shade Sun | Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy |
|
Foambush
Aerva leucura |
Perennial Perennial | Sun | Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Candelabra Aloe
Aloe arborescens |
Shrub Succulent Tree | Bees Birds Sunbirds | Sun | Soil: loam Soil: sandy |
|
Mountain Aloe
Aloe marlothii |
Shrub Succulent Tree | Bees Birds Sunbirds | Sun | Soil: clay Soil: loam |
|
Rand Grass Aloe
Aloe verecunda |
Succulent | Bees Birds Sunbirds | Sun | Soil: loam Soil: sandy |
|
Grassveld Tree Fern
Alsophila dregei |
Fern Fern Tree | Semi-shade Shade Sun | Near water Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Ground Lily
Ammocharis coranica |
Bulb | Sun | Soil: sandy | |
|
Sprenger's Asparagus
Asparagus densiflorus |
Perennial Perennial Shrub | Bees Birds | Semi-shade Shade Sun | Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy |
|
African Broom Asparagus
Asparagus virgatus |
Perennial Perennial Shrub | Birds Grazers/browsers | Semi-shade Shade | Soil: loam Soil: sandy |
|
Blue Bushviolet
Barleria obtusa |
Perennial Perennial Shrub | Butterflies Grazers/browsers | Semi-shade Sun | Soil: loam Soil: sandy |
| Barleria ovata | Perennial Perennial Shrub | Bees Birds Butterflies | Sun | Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy |
|
Cats Whiskers
Becium obovatum |
Forb Forb Perennial Perennial | Sun | ||
|
Red-topped Signal Grass
Brachiaria serrata |
Grass Perennial Perennial | Birds | Semi-shade Sun | Soil: sandy |
|
Mountain Silver-oak
Brachylaena rotundata |
Tree | Bees | Sun | Soil: loam Soil: sandy |
|
False Olive
Buddleja saligna |
Tree | Bees Birds | Sun | Soil: loam |
|
Sagewood
Buddleja salviifolia |
Shrub Tree | Bees Birds Butterflies | Sun | Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy |
|
Yellow Cat's Tail
Bulbine abyssinica |
Perennial Perennial | Bees | Sun | Soil: sandy |
|
Cape Chestnut
Calodendrum capense |
Tree | Bees Birds Butterflies | Sun | Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy |
|
Num-num
Carissa bispinosa |
Perennial Perennial Shrub Tree | Butterflies | Semi-shade Sun | Soil: loam Soil: sandy |
|
Lemonthorn Cassinopsis
Cassinopsis ilicifolia |
Scrambler Scrambler Shrub | Birds | Semi-shade Sun | Soil: loam |
|
White Stinkwood
Celtis africana |
Tree | Birds Butterflies | Semi-shade Sun | Soil: sandy |
|
Buffelgrass
Cenchrus ciliaris |
Grass Perennial Perennial | Grazers/browsers | Semi-shade Sun | Rocky habitat Soil: clay Soil: sandy |
|
Common Mock Scabious
Cephalaria zeyheriana |
Perennial Perennial | Bees | Sun | Soil: loam Soil: sandy |
|
Fairy Stars
Chaetacanthus setiger |
Ground cover | Semi-shade Shade | ||
|
Rhodes Grass
Chloris gayana |
Annual Annual Grass Perennial Perennial | Birds Grazers/browsers | Semi-shade Sun | Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy |
|
Feather Finger Grass
Chloris virgata |
Annual Annual Grass Perennial Perennial | Birds Grazers/browsers | Semi-shade Sun | Near water Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy |
|
Butterfly Green Lily
Chlorophytum bowkeri |
Bulb Ground cover Perennial Perennial | Bees Birds Butterflies | Semi-shade Shade | Soil: loam Soil: sandy |
|
Lobster Flower
Coleus neochilus |
Ground cover Perennial Perennial Succulent | Bees | Semi-shade Shade Sun | Soil: loam Soil: sandy |
|
River Bushwillow
Combretum erythrophyllum |
Tree | Birds | Sun | Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy |
|
Velvet Bushwillow
Combretum molle |
Tree | Sun | ||
|
African Yellow Dayflower
Commelina africana |
Ground cover Perennial Perennial | Semi-shade Sun | Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Pig's Ear
Cotyledon orbiculata |
Perennial Perennial Succulent | Bees Birds | Semi-shade Sun | Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy |
|
Narrowleaf Pricklehead
Crabbea angustifolia |
Forb Forb Perennial Perennial | Sun | ||
|
Orange River Swamplily
Crinum bulbispermum |
Bulb Forb Forb | Sun | In water Near water Soil: clay Soil: loam | |
|
Natal Swamplily
Crinum macowanii |
Bulb | Sun | In water Near water Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Southern Cabbagetree
Cussonia paniculata |
Tree | Birds | Sun | Soil: clay Soil: loam |
|
Cabbage Tree
Cussonia spicata |
Tree | Birds | Semi-shade Sun | Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy |
|
Showy Blue Ear
Cyanotis speciosa |
Forb Forb Ground cover Perennial Perennial | Bees Butterflies | Semi-shade Sun | Soil: loam Soil: sandy |
|
Broad-leaved Turpentine Grass
Cymbopogon caesius |
Grass Perennial Perennial | Birds | Semi-shade Sun | Soil: sandy |
|
Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon |
Grass Ground cover Perennial Perennial | Grazers/browsers | Semi-shade Sun | Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy |
|
Yellow Firelily
Cyrtanthus breviflorus |
Bulb | Semi-shade Sun | Near water Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Pompom Tree
Dais cotinifolia |
Shrub Tree | Bees | Semi-shade Sun | Soil: loam Soil: sandy |
|
Grassveld Karmedik
Dicoma anomala |
Forb Forb Perennial Perennial Shrub | Semi-shade Sun | Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Small Fortnight Lily
Dietes iridioides |
Bulb Perennial Perennial | Semi-shade Shade Sun | Soil: loam | |
|
Digitgrass
Digitaria eriantha |
Grass | Birds Grazers/browsers | Sun | Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy |
|
Bladder Nut
Diospyros whyteana |
Tree | Bees Birds | Shade Sun | |
|
South African Wild Pear
Dombeya rotundifolia |
Tree | Birds Butterflies | Sun | Soil: loam |
|
Wild Apricot
Dovyalis zeyheri |
Tree | Birds Butterflies | Sun | Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy |
|
Puzzle Bush
Ehretia rigida |
Shrub Tree | Birds | Soil: sandy | |
|
Broadpod Elephantroot
Elephantorrhiza burkei |
Shrub Tree | Bees Birds | Sun | Soil: loam Soil: sandy |
|
Dwarf Elephantroot
Elephantorrhiza elephantina |
Shrub Tree | Bees | Sun | Soil: sandy |
|
Wire Grass
Elionurus muticus |
Grass Ground cover | Birds | Semi-shade Sun | Rocky habitat Soil: sandy |
|
Stamvrug
Englerophytum magalismontanum |
Tree | Birds Butterflies | Semi-shade Sun | Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy |
|
Cape Love Grass
Eragrostis capensis |
Grass Perennial Perennial | Birds Grazers/browsers | Semi-shade Sun | Near water Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy |
|
Heartleaf Eriosema
Eriosema cordatum |
Forb Forb Ground cover Perennial Perennial | Bees Butterflies | Sun | Soil: loam Soil: sandy |
|
Blue Gwarrie
Euclea crispa |
Shrub Tree | Bees Birds | Semi-shade Sun | Soil: loam Soil: sandy |
|
Autumn Pineapple Lily
Eucomis autumnalis |
Bulb | Sun | Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Large-leaved Rock Fig
Ficus abutilifolia |
Tree | Sun | Soil: clay Soil: loam | |
|
Red-leaved Fig
Ficus ingens |
Tree | Birds | Sun | Soil: loam Soil: sandy |
|
Snowberrytree
Flueggea virosa |
Shrub Tree | Birds Butterflies | ||
|
Forest Kammetjie
Freesia grandiflora |
Bulb | Butterflies | Semi-shade Shade | Soil: loam Soil: sandy |
|
Blue Bellbush
Freylinia tropica |
Shrub | Semi-shade Sun | Soil: loam | |
|
Terracotta Gazania
Gazania krebsiana |
Ground cover Perennial Perennial | Bees Butterflies Monkey beetles | Sun | Soil: clay Soil: sandy |
|
Thick-leaved Gladiolus
Gladiolus crassifolius |
Bulb Forb Forb | Birds | Semi-shade Sun | Soil: loam Soil: sandy |
|
Dragon's-head Lily
Gladiolus dalenii |
Bulb Perennial Perennial | Birds Sunbirds | Sun | Soil: loam |
|
Common Otterbush
Gomphostigma virgatum |
Shrub | Birds | Sun | In water Near water Soil: sandy |
|
Velvet Raisin
Grewia flava |
Shrub Tree | Birds Butterflies | Sun | Soil: loam Soil: sandy |
|
Crossberry
Grewia occidentalis |
Scrambler Scrambler Shrub Tree | Bees Birds Butterflies | Sun | Soil: loam Soil: sandy |
|
Common Spikethorn
Gymnosporia buxifolia |
Shrub Tree | Birds Butterflies | Semi-shade Sun | Soil: loam Soil: sandy |
|
African Honeysuckle
Halleria lucida |
Shrub Tree | Bees Birds Sunbirds | Semi-shade Sun | Soil: loam Soil: sandy |
|
Common Falsegerbera
Haplocarpha scaposa |
Forb Forb Ground cover Perennial Perennial | Bees | Semi-shade Sun | Near water Soil: clay |
|
Caterpillar Grass
Harpochloa falx |
Grass Perennial Perennial | Birds Grazers/browsers | Semi-shade Sun | Near water |
|
Golden Everlasting
Helichrysum aureonitens |
Forb Forb Perennial Perennial | Sun | Soil: sandy | |
|
Icholocholo
Helichrysum nudifolium |
Forb Forb Perennial Perennial | Bees | Sun | |
|
Tanglehead
Heteropogon contortus |
Grass Perennial Perennial | Grazers/browsers | Semi-shade Sun | Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy |
|
Lavender-tree
Heteropyxis natalensis |
Tree | Bees Butterflies | Sun | Soil: loam Soil: sandy |
|
Bicolour Vernonia
Hilliardiella oligocephala |
Perennial Perennial | Butterflies | Sun | |
|
Thatching Grass
Hyparrhenia hirta |
Grass Perennial Perennial | Butterflies Grazers/browsers | Semi-shade Sun | Rocky habitat Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy |
|
African Stargrass
Hypoxis hemerocallidea |
Bulb Forb Forb | Sun | Soil: loam | |
|
Cogon Grass
Imperata cylindrica |
Grass Perennial Perennial | Birds | Semi-shade Sun | Near water Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy |
|
Wild Jasmine
Jasminum multipartitum |
Climber Climber Scrambler Scrambler Shrub | Bees Birds Butterflies | Semi-shade Shade Sun | Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy |
|
Nentakalanchoe
Kalanchoe rotundifolia |
Succulent | Semi-shade Sun | Soil: sandy | |
|
Paddle Plant
Kalanchoe thyrsiflora |
Succulent | Bees | Semi-shade Sun | Soil: loam Soil: sandy |
|
Wild Peach
Kiggelaria africana |
Tree | Bees Birds Butterflies | Semi-shade Shade Sun | Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy |
|
Sword Poker
Kniphofia ensifolia |
Perennial Perennial | Birds Sunbirds | Sun | Near water Soil: clay Soil: loam |
|
Dwarf Poker
Kniphofia porphyrantha |
Bulb Perennial Perennial | Bees Birds Butterflies Sunbirds | Sun | Near water Soil: loam Soil: sandy |
|
Small Lantana
Lantana rugosa |
Shrub | Birds | Sun | Soil: loam Soil: sandy |
|
Cooper’s African Hyacinth
Ledebouria cooperi |
Bulb | Bees | Sun | Near water Soil: clay Soil: loam |
|
Tough-leaved African Hyacinth
Ledebouria marginata |
Bulb Forb Forb | Bees | Sun | Soil: clay Soil: loam |
|
Common African Hyacinth
Ledebouria revoluta |
Bulb | Bees | Semi-shade Sun | Soil: loam Soil: sandy |
|
Cancer Bush
Lessertia frutescens |
Shrub | Birds Butterflies Sunbirds | Sun | Soil: loam Soil: sandy |
|
Ouhout
Leucosidea sericea |
Tree | Bees | Soil: clay Soil: sandy | |
|
Fever Tea
Lippia javanica |
Shrub | Sun | Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Koko Tree
Maytenus undata |
Shrub Tree | Bees Birds | Semi-shade Sun | Soil: loam |
|
Bristle-leaved Red-top Grass
Melinis nerviglumis |
Grass Perennial Perennial | Birds Butterflies | Semi-shade Sun | Rocky habitat Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy |
|
Natal Grass
Melinis repens |
Grass | Bees Birds Butterflies | Sun | Soil: loam Soil: sandy |
|
Watermint
Mentha aquatica |
Perennial Perennial | Bees Birds Butterflies | Sun | In water Near water Soil: loam Soil: sandy |
|
Horse Mint
Mentha longifolia |
Perennial Perennial | Bees Butterflies | Semi-shade Sun | In water Near water Soil: loam Soil: sandy |
|
Boat Grass
Monocymbium ceresiiforme |
Grass Perennial Perennial | Semi-shade Sun | Near water Rocky habitat Soil: sandy | |
|
Cork Bush
Mundulea sericea |
Shrub Tree | Bees Birds Butterflies Sunbirds | Sun | Soil: sandy |
|
African Boxwood
Myrsine africana |
Shrub Tree | Birds | Semi-shade Sun | Soil: loam Soil: sandy |
|
Kooboo-berry
Mystroxylon aethiopicum |
Tree | Bees Birds | Semi-shade Sun | Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy |
|
Grassveld Lionface
Nemesia fruticans |
Annual Annual Perennial Perennial | Sun | Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Figleaf Gemsbokbean
Neorautanenia ficifolia |
Climber Climber Forb Forb Perennial Perennial | Sun | Soil: sandy | |
|
Brittlewood
Nuxia congesta |
Shrub Tree | Birds Butterflies | Sun | Soil: clay Soil: sandy |
|
African Wild Olive
Olea europaea africana |
Tree | Bees Birds | Sun | Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy |
|
Mountain Hardpear
Olinia emarginata |
Tree | Bees Birds | Sun | Soil: sandy |
|
Basket Grass
Oplismenus hirtellus |
Grass Ground cover | Birds Butterflies | Semi-shade Shade | Soil: loam Soil: sandy |
|
American Royal Fern
Osmunda regalis |
Fern Fern Perennial Perennial | Semi-shade Shade Sun | In water Near water Rocky habitat Soil: clay Soil: loam | |
|
Jacket Plum
Pappea capensis |
Tree | Birds Butterflies | Sun | Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy |
|
Lurid Storksbill
Pelargonium luridum |
Perennial Perennial | Sun | Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Black Pelargonium
Pelargonium sidoides |
Perennial Perennial | Sun | Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Hard Fern
Pellaea calomelanos |
Fern Fern | Semi-shade Shade Sun | Soil: loam | |
|
Broadleaf Pentanisia
Pentanisia prunelloides |
Forb Forb Perennial Perennial | Butterflies | Semi-shade Sun | Soil: loam |
|
Speckled Spur-flower
Plectranthus ciliatus |
Ground cover Perennial Perennial | Bees Butterflies | Semi-shade Shade | Soil: sandy |
|
Vicks Plant
Plectranthus hadiensis |
Ground cover | Semi-shade Shade | ||
|
Whorled Plectranthus
Plectranthus verticillatus |
Ground cover Perennial Perennial | Semi-shade Shade | Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Wild Leadwort
Plumbago zeylanica |
Ground cover Scrambler Scrambler Shrub | Bees Birds Butterflies | Semi-shade Shade Sun | Soil: loam Soil: sandy |
|
Herringbone Grass
Pogonarthria squarrosa |
Grass | Sun | Soil: sandy | |
|
Purple Broom
Polygala virgata |
Shrub | Bees | Semi-shade Sun | Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy |
|
African Buttercup
Ranunculus multifidus |
Ground cover Perennial Perennial | Bees | Sun | Near water Soil: loam Soil: sandy |
|
False Gentian
Raphionacme hirsuta |
Bulb Forb Forb Perennial Perennial | Sun | Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Bushman Grape
Rhoicissus tridentata |
Climber Climber Shrub Tree | Birds Butterflies Sunbirds | Semi-shade Shade Sun | Soil: loam Soil: sandy |
|
White Veld Violet
Ruellia patula |
Ground cover Perennial Perennial Shrub | Bees Butterflies | Sun | Soil: loam Soil: sandy |
|
Small Scabious
Scabiosa columbaria |
Forb Forb Perennial Perennial | Bees Butterflies | Sun | Soil: loam Soil: sandy |
|
Paintbrush Lily
Scadoxus puniceus |
Bulb | Bees Birds Sunbirds | Semi-shade Shade | Soil: loam |
|
Nana Kunirhus
Searsia dentata |
Shrub | Birds Butterflies | Sun | |
|
African Sumac
Searsia lancea |
Tree | Bees Birds | Semi-shade Sun | Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy |
|
Mountain Karree
Searsia leptodictya |
Shrub Tree | Birds | Sun | Soil: loam Soil: sandy |
|
Succulent Bush Ragwort
Senecio barbertonicus |
Shrub Succulent | Bees Butterflies | Semi-shade Sun | Soil: loam Soil: sandy |
|
Woolly Grassveld Ragwort
Senecio coronatus |
Perennial Perennial | Sun | Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Nasturtium Ragwort
Senecio oxyriifolius |
Perennial Perennial Succulent | Bees | Semi-shade Shade Sun | Soil: loam Soil: sandy |
|
Flame Thorn
Senegalia ataxacantha |
Shrub Tree | Bees Butterflies | Sun | Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy |
|
Broadleaf Bristlegrass
Setaria megaphylla |
Grass Perennial Perennial | Birds Butterflies Grazers/browsers | Semi-shade Shade Sun | Near water Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy |
|
Hooked Bristle Grass
Setaria verticillata |
Annual Annual Grass | Grazers/browsers | Semi-shade Shade Sun | Soil: loam |
|
Parramatta Grass
Sporobolus africanus |
Grass Perennial Perennial | Semi-shade Sun | Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
African Stachys
Stachys aethiopica |
Ground cover Perennial Perennial | Bees | Semi-shade Shade Sun | Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy |
|
Giant Carrion Flower
Stapelia gigantea |
Ground cover Succulent | Semi-shade Sun | Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
| Stapelia leendertziae | Ground cover Succulent | Semi-shade Sun | Soil: loam Soil: sandy | |
|
Coastal Camphorbush
Tarchonanthus camphoratus |
Shrub Tree | Sun | Soil: clay Soil: loam | |
|
Kangaroo Grass
Themeda triandra |
Grass Perennial Perennial | Grazers/browsers | Semi-shade Sun | Soil: clay |
| Tricholaena monachne | Grass | Birds Grazers/browsers | Sun | Soil: loam Soil: sandy |
|
Maagbossie
Triumfetta sonderi |
Forb Forb Shrub | Bees Butterflies | Sun | Soil: loam Soil: sandy |
|
Pungent Wild Garlic
Tulbaghia acutiloba |
Bulb Forb Forb | Bees Butterflies | Sun | Soil: loam Soil: sandy |
|
Little Paraseed
Ursinia nana |
Annual Annual Forb Forb | Bees Butterflies | Sun | Soil: loam Soil: sandy |
|
Sweet Thorn
Vachellia karroo |
Tree | Birds Butterflies | Sun | Soil: loam Soil: sandy |
|
Umbrella Thorn
Vachellia tortilis |
Tree | Bees Birds | Sun | Soil: clay Soil: loam |
|
Wild-medlar
Vangueria infausta |
Tree | Birds Butterflies | Semi-shade Shade Sun | Soil: loam Soil: sandy |
|
Bluebrush
Vernonia galpinii |
Ground cover Perennial Perennial | Sun | ||
|
Silver Vernonia
Vernonia natalensis |
Forb Forb Perennial Perennial | Sun | ||
|
Buffalo-thorn
Ziziphus mucronata |
Tree | Bees Butterflies | Sun | Soil: clay Soil: loam Soil: sandy |
|
Dwarf Buffalothorn
Ziziphus zeyheriana |
Shrub Tree | Bees Birds Butterflies | Sun | Soil: loam Soil: sandy |